There may be 35 or so of these still flying in the world but they were the highest performance planes of their day. If any of you are ever in Houston come take a ride.
The Staggerwing Beechcraft is just stunning!!!!
+1 An absolutely gorgeous aircraft! I have loved these since I was a kid.
I had the opportunity to buy one of these 20+ years ago. After my broker investigated, it needed quite a bit of work. Also, after being further edjumacated, I didn't think I was prepared for the routine maintenance it would require. I bought a Cessna T210M instead. Not nearly the same ramp presence.
Owning a Beech 17 has to be a true labor of love.
Gorgeous!!specs??
The original gauges were radioactive.
A red one frequents our airport.......ramp presence.....CHECK!!!!
The Beechcraft 17S
Maximum Airspeed: 212 mph
Introduced: 1932/1949
Engine: P&W 985 Wasp Junior.
Total Production: 785
There were issues with mid-air break-ups attributed to aileron flutter. I have flown two of them. They are a beautiful design.
-Keith
Have a buddy in Davenport Washington restoring one now. Been one of his lifelong dreams.
That and a replica GeeBee.
Which GeeBee? The Gee Bee Z and R2 have both been done. Delmar Benjamin does a fantastic job of the stick and rudder work.
Here are videos of both.
Gee Bee Z
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=og1MHoYY-mc
Gee Bee R2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f9UOgFmZIo
-Keith
Quote from: 1967 eight barrel on February 05, 2020, 10:36:37 PM
Which GeeBee? The Gee Bee Z and R2 have both been done. Delmar Benjamin does a fantastic job of the stick and rudder work.
Here are videos of both.
Gee Bee Z
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=og1MHoYY-mc
Gee Bee R2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f9UOgFmZIo
-Keith
R2
And Delmar is from
Shelby Montana!
CS loved planes as much as cars. I wonder i he ever flew one o these magnificent machines.
Carroll was a flight instructor from 43-45 in San Antonio which became Lackland AFB. It's possible being he taught on the Beechcraft trainer.
As you know his heart condition would have precluded him from flight.
He spoke of it a couple times at the Goodyear Tire Distribution center in Gardena.
-Keith
Carroll is mentioned in the last line of the write up here.
https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/196406/1941-1945-world-war-ii-sergeant-pilots/
The Beech is one of the prettiest planes in my mind !
Mike
Also mention of his link with planes, and a video here.
http://airportjournals.com/carroll-shelby-from-curtiss-to-cobra/
Mike
Back in the late '60's and early '70's, I was a vendor to Beech Aircraft and had access to their entire facilities. Olive Ann Beech was still involved...a very competent and elegant lady, well ahead of her time in that she was one of the first women to lead a large corporation. There were always fly-ins of various models like the V-Tail Bonanzas, etc., but when the Staggerwing 17S's flew in, it was something special! I will admit that, although they're beautiful, the Mystery S steals the show! www.aviation-history.com/travelair/mystery.html and www.goldenageofaviation.org/Travel.html
they simply look like they are going 200mph sitting on the tarmac!!!!
b
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full
This is a beautiful aircraft. I was a volunteer at Chino Air Museum for years while Ed. Maloney was running it. I flew under Steve Hinton.
This is one of the two P-38s the museum restored.
-Keith
I would have thought the P-51 Mustang would be the logical choice for the 66 GT350 of airplanes.
Quote from: CSX 4133 on February 07, 2020, 03:59:50 PM
I would have thought the P-51 Mustang would be the logical choice for the 66 GT350 of airplanes.
From a performance standpoint, I would have to agree. The P-38 is faster.
I was flying the Mad Dog AKA Super 80 until they were retired in September of last year. Compared to the 738 I'm crewing, they are antiquated. They are a workhorse that flies exceedingly well and loved by the crews assigned them.
-Keith
Quote from: 1967 eight barrel on February 07, 2020, 03:17:24 PM
This is a beautiful aircraft. I was a volunteer at Chino Air Museum for years while Ed. Maloney was running it. I flew under Steve Hinton.
This is one of the two P-38s the museum restored.
-Keith
My uncle flew C47s in WW2 (Hump Pilot) when the returned to Green Bay he became a flight instructor at the local airport and had a P38. My Mom wouldnt let me ride with him in it nor would she lt me ride in the P51 he traded the P38 for a few years later. The noise those things make flying at low level is amazing
^^^^ ah moms never let you have any real fun - seriously too bad!
Keith just rotated the one image...
Quote from: JD on February 07, 2020, 06:16:11 PM
^^^^ ah moms never let you have any real fun - seriously too bad!
Keith just rotated the one image...
Yep. only got to go in his later cessna
Jim: The Allison V12 running in tandem is very distinct. Just like the Merlin powered Mustangs. A low approach with wide-open throttle raises the hair on the back of my neck every time I hear it.
The P-38 was unique for its time. It has a control collum similar to the MD 80 I posted. It had a steering wheel instead of a stick. It also has roll down windows on each side over the wing.
A lot of airmen lost their lives flying the hump. C46, C,47 and B24s made that run.
When I started working land navigation in the military we didn't have GPS. We used a lensatic compass, a template for MGRS and the stars. Finding your way by the stars is a lost art with most who served post the early 90's. The PLGR was just coming on line when I exited in service in '90.
-Keith
This is one of my other old beech products. Spent 6 years on a trailer behind my shop. Went to Oshkosh three years ago and got a grand champion. Nothing like an E-225-8 to take your stress away.
I hadn't realized there were so many aircraft enthusiasts here on the forum.
My new project is restoring a Piper PA-12.
Right now its a sea can full of parts and a blueprint
Where's the Continental at? That aircraft has been in production since the late 40's. Hard to believe.
-Keith
Chris: I learned to fly in a Piper PA-28. I miss the ease of small aircraft. Much different from a 73-800.
-Keith
Quote from: 1967 eight barrel on February 07, 2020, 11:23:45 PM
Where's the Continental at? That aircraft has been in production since the late 40's. Hard to believe.
-Keith
Here she is.
This is my favorite bird. 1984 Aerostar 700P which was a one year only version. 25 made. At least three have been destroyed so its a pretty rare bird. Nothing better than a piston plane that trues at 270 knots at FL 250.
The 700P is an outstanding twin. I have flown the 601P a couple of times. 350 HP Lycoming sixes were responsive and the aircraft has incredible rudder authority.
I wouldn't mind a few hours on a 701P. I have only seen a few of them over the years. They are relatively rare.
-Keith
Great topic. My 2 passions in life are cars and airplanes. Spent the last 40 years working on Learjets which enabled me financially to own 2 GT-500's. Both are iconic products produced by visionary people. Along the way I have flown on every Learjet model produced except the 85 which was cancelled. Spent 3 years in Europe operating Lear 35's and been to 51,000 ft numerous times. Make your passion your career and you will never regret a day of work.
I completely agree. I spent a few years figuring that out. 38 to be exact. No better place to be on the planet than on the flight deck.
How one could deny the existence of God when you have a view of this nation floors me. Sunrise from the flight deck... Enjoy!
-Keith
Chino, wow thats brings up some memories. Flew in their airshow both 1984 and 1985 as a active duty pilot out of El Toro. Ed Maloney, Frank Mormillo great guys, Frank Sanders, a spectacular airshow pilot, loved the 65 GT350 and always let me park in his hanger. all dead now...long time ago..........
1984-85.. I was at Bragg in 84 and FT Rucker in '85. Ed's daughter took over. She really soured many who were there. I am sure you knew Steve Hinton in that case. The Reno crash of RB 51. He was my instructor. Small World. Chino Air Museum all but took over KCNO. I'm going to non-rev out with a few of the Gray Eagles in April to KONT. I grew up a short distance from KLGB/ McDonnell Douglas Aircraft.
I assume you were assigned to MCAS ElToro, now KSNA?
-Keith