The saddest Tcraft

[dedrekon]

Re: The saddest Tcraft

OK, OK....you talked me into one more picture from Evergreen in it's heyday. This is Wally's Jenny. He was about to take it up for test run before the Evergreen Fly-In.
He told me that at cruise speed it would stall and probably spin if you made more than a 10 degree bank turn. Sharp turns had to be made in a dive. Of course the entire flight envelope from stall to VNE was about 30 mph, so it was quite a challenge to fly.

Good luck with that Taylorcraft on the field....I tried a couple of times and was basically told to get screwed...in a little more colorful language than that. Maybe time has mellowed the guy, but he didn't seem like the mellowing type.
You'd probably have more luck with the Yellow one. If anybody has the N number, you should post it so some attempts can be made. If no-one has it, I'll pop over there this week and get it. I want to say hey to Cheryl before the place is gone anyway.
Does anybody know what happened to Mary, who used to do the wing walk for Wally?

[Carl Ellis]

Re: The saddest Tcraft

Good luck with that Taylorcraft on the field....I tried a couple of times and was basically told to get screwed...in a little more colorful language than that. Maybe time has mellowed the guy, but he didn't seem like the mellowing type.
You'd probably have more luck with the Yellow one. If anybody has the N number, you should post it so some attempts can be made. If no-one has it, I'll pop over there this week and get it. I want to say hey to Cheryl before the place is gone anyway.
Does anybody know what happened to Mary, who used to do the wing walk for Wally?

The yellow bird's N number (N96935) is in the photo. Look back through this thread.

[Carl Ellis]

Re: The saddest Tcraft

OK, OK....you talked me into one more picture from Evergreen in it's heyday. This is Wally's Jenny. He was about to take it up for test run before the Evergreen Fly-In.
He told me that at cruise speed it would stall and probably spin if you made more than a 10 degree bank turn. Sharp turns had to be made in a dive. Of course the entire flight envelope from stall to VNE was about 30 mph, so it was quite a challenge to fly.

If you are a Jenny fan I recommend the book "Noel Wien, Alaska Pioneer Bush Pilot". It's pretty amazing what he did with that airplane in the bush.

[alwaysoar]

Re: The saddest Tcraft

Jim, With the price of Vermont real estate, we're going to need a benefactor with nothing better to do with his $ to get another grass strip over here. I'd like one on your side of the lake;know of any land for sale....cheap?

Ed

[high time cub]

Re: The saddest Tcraft

Ed,
Fly over when the weather warms up and we'll go shopping!
JIm

[crispy critter]

Re: The saddest Tcraft

Ed,
Fly over when the weather warms up and we'll go shopping!
JIm

You guys are what aviation should be about....more grass fields and less controll towers.

[alwaysoar]

Re: The saddest Tcraft

You've got a deal, Jim (ps, Is the weather really going to warm up?)

Ed

[dedrekon]

Re: The saddest Tcraft

It's finally etched in stone....Evergreen Field will close forever on July 18, 2006.
Wally's family recently sent out this kind note to many of the longtime patrons of this historic (especially for Taylorcraft) airport:
http://www.dedrekon.com/tc3.jpg
http://www.dedrekon.com/tc4.jpg

[Vasey fan]

Re: The saddest Tcraft

Are there any plans for a Last Fly-In of sorts?

[M Towsley]

Re: The saddest Tcraft

Hey Vincent,

Are you working to get that sign before it gets lost/stolen/destroyed? One of the neatest leftovers from an old field near me is the sign advertising the aircraft sales and training, which is currently at a friend's museum. Hope someone can get it before it is gone..........

[N96337]

Re: The saddest Tcraft

Here's a pic of my ride there in 1991... 1929 Fairchild 71... I built the engine and traveled with that one for 2 years... fun machine! Gonna miss Evergreen!!
JH

[dedrekon]

Re: The saddest Tcraft

I'm not aware of any plans for a final fly-in. I'll do some checking and see if there's anything up.
That sign is staying with the family, I asked about it already. A very upscale shopping mall is being built on the site and it's to be called "The Landing" in honor of the history of the land. I've been told that there will be an aviation theme throughout and a statue of Wally is being considered.
There was an old bench out in front of the main hangar that (legend has it) was where Wally and Lindberg sat and talked for a couple of hours. Lindberg had made a special trip into Evergreen to meet Wally during one of his Pro-Aviation tours. I sat on the bench a few times myself and it was certainly old enough to be the one. It is also being preserved by the family and may be displayed on the site.
I remember seeing that Fairchild......beautiful machine!

[Pearson]

Re: The saddest Tcraft

Regarding the "Saddest T-craft" at Evergreen, during my last visit I volunteered to haul it off for Cheryl. She told me they would probably put a lien on it and take bids. There really isn't that much usable stuff on it anymore. The prop has been gone for years. I doubt if the engine would turn over if it had a prop. And the fuselage is bent big time. The ribs I have seen are corroded beyond repair, and so on.

The story I have been told about the yellow and white bird is that it was restored using the Gilberti STC and then parked. I believe the owner lost his medical and just couldn't bear to part with it. Cheryl said the guy wanted a ridiculous price for it. It would have to be completely restored again.

[dedrekon]

Re: The saddest Tcraft

I see on the Northwest Antique Airplane Club Website that there is Fly In/Swap Meet/Barbecue planned at Evergreen on the 8th and 9th of July. "Come Say Goodbye" is the theme.

[Vasey fan]

Re: The saddest Tcraft

I see on the Northwest Antique Airplane Club Website that there is Fly In/Swap Meet/Barbecue planned at Evergreen on the 8th and 9th of July. "Come Say Goodbye" is the theme.

BTT. Getting close, I'm actually considering it.