27599 is back in the air

[1938BF50]

After a 5yr nap, 27599 is finally back in the air.

[Robert Lees]

Well done! She looks great!

[astjp2]

Excellent, congratulations!

[3Dreaming]

Is that a different airplane than what you bought the fuselage for?

[waltermrich]

Thanks for sharing your Taylorcraft, Could you tell us a little about your bringing it back.

[1938BF50]

Tom,
yes, it is a different plane. I bought 27599 to get me back in the air. She was bought new by Southwest Airways in 1940
I will start rebuilding 20407 this winter with the new fuselage I bought from you.

[1938BF50]

Walter,
I had to disassemble the plane back in 2015 to store it for a move. It’s been in my UP cabin for 5 years now. I have been working on it intermittently for the last last 2 years. Most importantly, I stripped the wings to get some silver on them. It was recovered in the late 80’s with little or no silver on the wings. Knowing it will be tied down outside at 6Y9, I re-doped the wings and tail surfaces. Ive been knocking my rust off just shooting landings and had forgotten how well our little planes fly. Working on ski’s for winter flying now. I am the first plane to be based at Sidnaw since the 70’s. Prickett-Grooms was a WWII L4 trainer base that had deteriorated to near uselessness until it was purchased and remodeled by Brad & Diz Frederick. It is now a wonderful public use grass strip of 2600’ x 100’. A match made in heaven for our old tail-draggers!

[waltermrich]

That sounds like a great story, I appreciate hearing it. It does sound like you have put a lot of time in it, they are a great nimble airplane, The airport sounds like a nice place , hopefully those kind of airports will stick around for awhile , My Taylorcraft was recovered in 1984 but the wings have been recovered recently, The IA I use for my annual recommends a recover for the fuselage but its been hangered its entire life (Poly Fibre) so Im reluctant. A concern would be for the lower fuselage tubes. Thanks for your story

[Mark Bowden]

That is awesome Mike! You have a fleet now.

[1938BF50]

walter,
I would be reluctant too, Poke test the lower tubes and consider a pull test on a strip removed from the upper fuselage surface. In ravel(sp) testing several questionable looking planes, I’ve only had one fabric failure, mine. I plan on rejuvenating my fuse next summer. It looks like hell right now with newly doped wings and tails.

[1938BF50]

A couple more fun pics....
It was 14 miles of Forest Service two-track behind my quad to get to 6Y9. Not sure who would have won if I had met a log truck. With a 600 foot roll-out, thats almost 140 landings!
6Y9 is one the nicest strips in the entire UP or Northern Wisconsin. A hearty thanks to Brad and Diz for saving it and rebuilding it.