•Stearman Golden Jubilee •Mohawk 1929 WACO •Affordable Antique
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
MARCH/APRIL 2015 Q.E.D. •Stearman Golden Jubilee •Mohawk 1929 WACO •Affordable Antique Airplanes The new Ford Expedition delivers outstanding performance and efficiency This is, by far, the most powerful and fuel efficient Expedition ever, thanks with an ideal combination of capability, technology and design – taking its to its new state-of-the-art 3.5L EcoBoost®, twin-turbocharged, direct- place on the road in a most compelling way. injection engine, delivering 365 hp and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. Expedition offers convenience features from a system that makes accessing The new 2015 Expedition – engineered to deliver more of what you expect in and starting your vehicle virtually effortless to advanced SYNC® connectivity a full-size SUV. that can put you in touch with life on the road with simple voice commands. New also are the unique ride quality features of the sophisticated Continuously Controlled Damping Suspension System, now available for The Privilege of Partnership the first time in a Ford model, as well as the experience of steering feel and EAA members are eligible for special pricing on Ford Motor Company control that the Electric Power-Assist Steering (EPAS) System provides. And vehicles through Ford’s Partner Recognition Program. To learn more on this driving a new Ford Expedition is not only easy, but enjoyable as well with exclusive opportunity for EAA members to save on a new Ford vehicle, the 390-watt Audio System from Sony®. please visit www.eaa.org/ford. When it comes to delivering the capability you need, Expedition is engineered to exceed your expectations. It can accommodate up to eight passengers in comfort, haul lots of cargo when called upon to do so and do things that many other passenger vehicles can’t, like towing a boat or trailer weighing up to 9,200 pounds, when properly equipped. 2015-Mar_Expedit_EAA_Divis_Ad.indd 1 1/19/15 1:01 PM Vintage Airplane Straight & Level STAFF GEOFF ROBISON EAA Publisher /Chairman of the Board VAA PRESIDENT, EAA 268346, VAA 12606 . Jack J. Pelton Editor ................ Jim Busha . [email protected] VAA Executive Administrator .. Erin Brueggen A year of upgrades to the VAA 920-426-6110 ........... [email protected] Art Director ............. Livy Trabbold convention site ADVERTISING: Vice President of Business Development Dave Chaimson .......... [email protected] Oh, how I long for some warm mild breezes blowing Advertising Manager through the hangar door. I know you hear me say this every year at this Sue Anderson ........... [email protected] time, but hopefully we’re getting closer to some milder temperatures Business Relationship Manager here in the Midwest soon. Tomorrow would be a good time to start Larry Phillip ............ [email protected] this! It won’t be long now before our dedicated work weekend volun- teers begin their monthly pilgrimage to Oshkosh to perform a myriad VAA, PO Box 3086, Oshkosh, WI 54903 Website: www.vintageaircraft.org of maintenance and convention site improvements we have planned for Email: [email protected] this year. We currently are planning a complete revamp of the south- west corner of Vern Avenue and Wittman Road. The old Membership VISIT and Volunteer booths will be replaced with newly constructed facilities www.vintageaircraft.org with a covered deck on each structure. We experienced some pretty for the latest in information and news serious direct line winds this past November that resulted in some se- and for the electronic newsletter: rious damage of the VAA marquee sign on that corner. As a result, we Vintage AirMail decided to reconstruct the entire entryway to the Red Barn and the Vintage Hangar. I think you will like what the volunteer maintenance VINTAGE AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION crew has planned for this area. We are also planning on some extensive Current EAA members may join the Vintage upgrades to the Tall Pines Café facilities this spring that are certain to Aircraft Association and receive VINTAGE AIR- enhance your dining experience there. Come check us out! Our work PLANE magazine for an additional $45/year. parties are scheduled for April 24-26, May 29-31, and June 26-28. EAA Membership, VINTAGE AIRPLANE E-mail the chairman of Vintage Maintenance, Michael Blombach, at magazine and one year membership in the [email protected] if you decide to come out and assist! EAA Vintage Aircraft Association are available Holy cow, I hope you all had the chance to look over the January/Feb- for $55 per year (SPORT AVIATION magazine not included). (Add $7 for International Postage.) ruary issue of the Vintage Airplane magazine. I am convinced that this was so far the best issue of our publication yet to hit the memberships’ FOREIGN MEMBERSHIPS mailbox. The reaction from our members continues to be very positive Please submit your remittance with a and quite complimentary. Our editor, Jim Busha, and his “A-Team” from check or draft drawn on a United States the VAA and EAA publications department deserve extensive accolades bank payable in United States dollars. Add for all of their efforts in putting that issue together. They continue to required Foreign Postage amount for each set the bar higher for each issue of the magazine they produce. Many membership. thanks to our publications crew! You folks rock! Again, as always your Membership Service thoughts and comments regarding the magazine as well as the business PO Box 3086 of the VAA is very much welcome and appreciated! Please always feel Oshkosh, WI 54903-3086 Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM—6:00 PM CST free to drop us a line at [email protected] and let us know what you Join/Renew 800-564-6322 have on your mind. Remember, if you desire to communicate directly [email protected] with our editor, simply address your e-mail to Jim Busha at the above EAA AirVenture Oshkosh address, or directly to [email protected]. www.eaa.org/airventure We would really like to continue to hear your thoughts, positive or 888-322-4636 continued on page 63 www.vintageaircraft.org 1 Vol. 43, No. 2 2015 CONTENTS MARCH/APRIL 2015 18 Stearman Golden Jubilee 50 years of Stearman ownership Harry G. Balance Jr. 22 The Illusive Affordable Antique Airplane So you want to buy an airplane . Budd Davisson BONNIE KRATZ 30 For missing or replacement magazines, The Moss Q.E.D. II or any other membership related ques- Re-creating an icon requires an icon to accomplish the mission tions, please call EAA Member Services Budd Davisson at 800-JOIN-EAA (564-6322). 42 ANY COMMENTS? Orphan Waco Send your thoughts to the The “Mohawk Airways” 1929 Waco Vintage Editor at: [email protected] Sparky Barnes Sargent 2 MARCH/APRIL 2015 MARCH/APRIL 2015 50 A Little Time with Little Ford Right seat in the EAA’s Ford Tri-Motor Marla Boone 52 Around the Pylons Bill Falck and Rivets Don Berliner COVERS FRONT COVER: The Jim Moss QED graces the Wash- ington sky’s. Photo credit Lyle Jansma. BACK COVER: Jim Clark and his 1929 Waco grace the back cover. Photo by Tyson Rininger COLUMNS 1 Straight and Level 12 Good Old Days A year of upgrades to the VAA convention site Geoff Robison 14 Art of Flying 30 The boy and the old plane The Moss Q.E.D. II 6 VAA News Sarah Wilson Re-creating an icon requires an icon to accomplish the mission Budd Davisson 9 Ask the AME 58 The Vintage Mechanic Eye Surgery Evolution of aircraft instruments, Part 1 42 John Patterson, M.D., AME Robert G. Lock Orphan Waco 10 How to? 62 VAA New Members The “Mohawk Airways” 1929 Waco Make bonded test sample Sparky Barnes Sargent Robert G. Lock 64 Vintage Trader www.vintageaircraft.org 3 Join Friends of the Red Barn! Your support is crucial to the success of VAA’s AirVenture activities and programs VAA members like you are passionate about each of us as individuals to be a part of supporting your affiliation with vintage aviation, and it shows. the finest gathering of Antique, Classic, and Con- You’re the most loyal of all EAA members, renew- temporary airplanes in the world. ing your VAA membership each and every year at At whatever level is comfortable for you, won’t a rate higher than any other group within the EAA you please join those of us who recognize the tre- family. We appreciate your dedication! Each year mendously valuable key role the Vintage Aircraft we give you another opportunity to strengthen Association has played in preserving the irreplace- your bond with the VAA by inviting you to become able grassroots and general aviation airplanes of a Friend of the Red Barn. the last 100 years? Your participation in EAA’s Vin- This special opportunity helps VAA put to- tage Aircraft Association Friends of the Red Barn gether all the components that make the Vintage will help ensure the very finest in EAA AirVenture area of EAA AirVenture a unique and exciting part Oshkosh Vintage programs. of the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration. This To participate in this year’s campaign, fill out special fund was established to cover a significant the donation form by visiting our website at www. portion of the VAA’s expenses related to serving VintageAircraft.org/programs/redbarn.html to VAA members during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, make an online contribution. And to each and ev- so that no dues money is used to support the con- ery one of you who has already contributed, or vention activities. is about to, a heartfelt “thank you” from the of- This is a great opportunity for Vintage members ficers, directors, staff, and volunteers of the Vin- to join together as key financial supporters of the tage Aircraft Association! Vintage division.