DECEMBER 2011 Thank you from the staff at AUA. We wish you happy holidays and we look forward to serving you in the new year! Keep up with all the latest in the AUA family! Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/auainc AUA is Vintage Aircraft Association approved. To become a member of VAA call 800-843-3612. Aviation insurance with the EAA Vintage Program offers: Lower premiums with payment options ■ Additional coverages ■ Flexibility on the use of your aircraft ■ Experienced agents On-line quote request available ■ AUA is licensed in all states Remember, We’re Better Together! The best is affordable. Give AUA a call – it’s FREE! 800-727-3823 Fly with the pros… fly with AUA Inc. www.auaonline.com AIRPLANE DECEMBER Vol. 39, No. 12 2011 CONTENTS 3 News 5 The Waco Model ‘C’ Classy custom Cabins by Sparky Barnes Sargent 12 Going Home Again 5 At age 12, I harbored aspirations of fl ying fast, like my heroes, the Mercury astronauts . by Philip Handleman 16 My First Airplane by Lee Hurry 20 18 Chapter Locator 20 Light Plane Heritage Remember the Avro Avian? by Bob Whittier 28 STAFF 28 The Vintage Mechanic EAA Publisher Rod Hightower Tail Wheel Installations Director of EAA Publications J. Mac McClellan by Robert G. Lock Executive Editor Mary Jones Executive Director/Editor H.G. Frautschy 32 Production/Special Projects Kathleen Witman The Vintage Instructor Photography Jim Koepnick Short-Field Operations Part 2 Copy Editor Colleen Walsh by Steve Krog, CFI Publication Advertising: Manager/Domestic, Sue Anderson 34 Mystery Plane Tel: 920-426-6127 Email: [email protected] by H.G. Frautschy Fax: 920-426-4828 Senior Business Relations Mgr, Trevor Janz 37 Classifi eds Tel: 920-426-6809 Email: [email protected] Manager/European-Asian, Willi Tacke 38 A Little Smooth Air Phone: +49(0)1716980871 Email: willi@fl ying-pages.com by Michelle Souder Fax: +49(0)8841 / 496012 Classifi ed Advertising Coordinator, Jo Ann Cody Simons Tel: 920-426-6169 Email: [email protected] COVERS FRONT COVER: In the days before World War II, the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) For missing or replacement magazines, or and its predecessor, the Department of Commerce, Aeronautics Branch, had a stable of air- any other membership-related questions, please call craft to be used by inspectors in the fi eld. This 1939 Waco AGC-8 was one of those airplanes. EAA Member Services at 800- JOIN-EAA (564-6322). You can enjoy the story of its history and restoration in Sparky Barnes Sargent’s article start- ing on page 5. EAA photo by EAA’s chief photographer, Jim Koepnick. BACK COVER: With a nod to longtime EAA editorial contributor Bob Whittier, who reminded us of this cover, we bring you the seasonally appropriate cover artwork by Stewart Rouse of the December 1933 issue of Model Airplane News, featuring a Christmastime message stamped in the snow to greet the pilot of the “New Heath Parasol.” VINTAGE AIRPLANE 1 Merry Christmas! • Happy Holidays! • Happy New Year! On behalf of the offi cers, directors, and the staff of the EAA Vintage Aircraft Association, we wish each of you peace, joy, and prosperity during the holiday season and throughout the new year, with many days of safe, enjoyable fl ying! Paul Poberezny Jerry Brown Jeannie Hill Rod Hightower Gene Chase Butch Joyce Geoff Robison Dave Clark Steve Krog George Daubner Jack Copeland Bob Lumley Dan Knutson Phil Coulson Gene Morris Steve Nesse Ron Fritz Wes Schmid Steve Bender Dale Gustafson John Turgyan Dave Bennett Charlie Harris H.G. Frautschy Bob Brauer Buck Hilbert Theresa Books and the entire staff of the EAA 2 DECEMBER 2011 VAA NEWS John Underwood Inducted Into VAA Hall of Fame During ceremo- nies held the eve- ning of October 27, 2011, noted author and aviation history enthusiast John Underwood was inducted into the Vintage Aircraft As- sociation’s Hall of Fame. Other induct- SHARPSHOOTER IMAGING ees included Jack Geoff Robison, John Underwood, and Rod Hightower. Tom Poberezny Inducted Into McCornack of Cave San Diego Hall of Fame Junction, Oregon (Ultralight Hall of Fame), the late Tony LeVier of La Congratulations to EAA Chairman Emeritus Tom Poberezny, who was Canada, California (International Aerobatic Club Hall of Fame), the inducted into the San Diego Inter- late David B. Lindsay Jr. of Sarasota, Florida (Warbirds of America national Air & Space Hall of Fame Hall of Fame), and Ed Fisher of Gilbert, South Carolina (Homebuilders on November 5. Tom was honored Hall of Fame). for his leadership of EAA, his 25-year air show career, and the creation of “Each of these fi ve individuals has made a unique contribution to EAA’s Young Eagles program. Other the world of fl ight that has benefi ted all of us,” said Rod Hightower, inductees included Apollo astronaut EAA president and CEO. “These inductees serve as an example for Walt Cunningham, Voyager pilot Dick Rutan, the U.S. Navy TOPGUN everyone involved in fl ying and represent the best that recreational school, and World War II pilot Jerry aviation has to offer. We recognize their commitment and passion for Coleman, perhaps better known as fl ying and are honored to welcome them into the EAA Sport Aviation a second baseman for the New York Yankees in the 1950s and a Hall of Hall of Fame.” Fame baseball broadcaster. Paul Po- We’ll have more on Underwood’s lifetime in aviation in the Jan- berezny had been inducted into the uary issue of Vintage Airplane. same hall of fame in 1996. man, whose expertise in aircraft every aircraft owned by the orga- maintenance kept EAA’s B-17 and nization. He also assisted air show Ford Tri-Motor fl ying on tour for performers and others who han- the past 20 years. Mosman died gared aircraft at the Kermit Weeks on October 20 after a battle with Flight Research Center during cancer. He was 57. EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. “When- Mosman, an Iowa native, ever we needed something done joined EAA in 1980 when the or- on the B-17 when it was on the ganization’s headquarters were in road, Ted was right there; he was a the Milwaukee area, then made natural mechanic,” EAA Founder EAA Mourns Death of Longtime the move to Oshkosh with EAA Paul Poberezny said. “He’d always Aircraft Technician in the early 1980s. He was an in- go along on the test flight after- EAA staff members are mourn- tegral part of EAA’s B-17 and Tri- ward and listen to make sure ev- ing the loss of co-worker Ted Mos- Motor restorations and worked on erything was right.” VINTAGE AIRPLANE 3 Louie Andrew Honored With Henry Kimberly Leadership Award More Information on Bellanca N6561N Longtime Fond du Lac, Wiscon- As is often the case with our vin- sin, attorney Louie Andrew was tage aircraft, there’s much more to the story of an aircraft featured in awarded the Henry Kimberly Spirit our pages than meets the eye. Such of Leadership Award for his volun- is the case of Bellanca Cruisemaster N6561N, and in the caption accom- teer efforts on behalf of EAA and panying the photo of the airplane published in the October issue, we the community during the Sport Avi- should have filled in a few more ation Hall of Fame banquet Octo- blanks. Prior to being acquired by its current owner, Ron Hansen, it was ber 27 at the EAA Aviation Center owned by Al Pontious and Jere Calef. After being damaged when the left in Oshkosh. As part of the award, main gear leg collapsed on landing named for renowned Oshkosh busi- at the Columbia, California, airport during the annual Bellanca fly-in, ness leader and EAA supporter the airplane was declared to be a to- Louie Andrew tal loss by an insurance company. It Henry Kimberly, Andrew received a was disassembled and placed in stor- $1,000 prize to designate toward any of EAA’s programs. age pending its disposition. The most likely outcome was that the airplane Andrew’s advice, knowledge of the community and region, and would be sold for parts. passion for fl ight contribute to his effectiveness in his role as in- Pontious, who has owned, main- tained, and restored Bellancas for terim chairman of EAA’s board of directors. He also serves as many years and who is a well-known expert on Bellanca aircraft, did not chairman of EAA’s executive committee and a director for the In- want to see another Bellanca del- ternational Aerobatic Club. egated to the parts bin, so he and Calef purchased the pieces, brought He began fl ying at the Fond du Lac airport at age 14, soloed on them home to Mojave, and began the repair/restoration. In addition to his 16th birthday, and obtained his private pilot certifi cate at age the damage caused by the gear col- 17. Andrew, who holds single- and multi-engine land and instru- lapse, there was significant damage infl icted when the aircraft was disas- ment ratings, fl ies a Piper Aztec and an Aeronca Super Chief that sembled and transported to the stor- age facility. After a little more than are based at Fond du Lac County Airport. a year’s worth of effort, N6561N Andrew, a University of Notre Dame and Marquette University again took to the skies in the condi- tion shown in the October issue. Mr. Law School graduate, has been a practicing attorney in Fond du Hansen subsequently purchased the aircraft from the partners, who were Lac for 45 years, specializing in corporate and real estate law.