After 50 years NC53500 flies again!

[Ragwing nut]

After 50 years of being earth bound, NC53500 flew for the first time last week. 1942 BC12-65 DeLuxe, 6th to the last prewar "B" off the production line. Gilberti STC(pre Harer), with an O-200 installed. Not real fast (105mph), but has plenty climb performance in 100+ degree weather. As soon as I can solve the high oil temp and tidy up some small squawks, it will head home to KS probably in the next few weeks. I have better pics, but the file is to large to post.

Mike

[Chet Peek]

Re: After 50 years NC53500 flies again!

Congratulations, Mile, another T-Craft in the air. But this weather sure discourages flying or working on planes.

Chet Peek

[Len Petterson]

Re: After 50 years NC53500 flies again!

Talk about resurection!(;f
Well dune! Why do I like the paint scheme? the same as KZU.(;f
When does she turn 60?
Len

[Ragwing nut]

Re: After 50 years NC53500 flies again!

Congratulations, Mike, another T-Craft in the air. But this weather sure discourages flying or working on planes.

Chet Peek

No kidding. Are you taking the DC-65 to the bar-b-que tommorrow?

Mike

[Dick Huish]

Re: After 50 years NC53500 flies again!

Mike,FYI 53500 sn 3394 nnumber was originally 39125. It was impressed as an L-2J aac 43-2876. It was assigned 53500 when it was surplussed after the war. Dick

[Ragwing nut]

Re: After 50 years NC53500 flies again!

Mike,FYI 53500 sn 3394 nnumber was originally 39125. It was impressed as an L-2J aac 43-2876. It was assigned 53500 when it was surplussed after the war. Dick

Yep, I have the original file. It never flew under the original "N" number. It was impressed into the Air Corps right off the assembly line. It left the factory with the taupe and maroon interior, and OD paint on the outside. Still had the original fabric and the remains of the original interior when I got the airplane. Glad to see you are up and around. I will try and call you later.

Mike

[Ragwing nut]

Re: After 50 years NC53500 flies again!

When does she turn 60?
Len

4 years ago.

Mike

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: After 50 years NC53500 flies again!

Any pictures of that original interior? I have been trying to build one from pictures and any details on how a 41 or 42 looked originally would be GREAT!

[Ragwing nut]

Re: After 50 years NC53500 flies again!

Any pictures of that original interior? I have been trying to build one from pictures and any details on how a 41 or 42 looked originally would be GREAT!

It was just tatters. Chet's book has lots of great pictures of original Deluxe interiors.

Mike

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: After 50 years NC53500 flies again!

What I have built from so far is those photos, some "best available" drawings and some tatters that shouldn't have qualified for the term. If you haven't thrown the old seats and parted away there is a wealth if info in them for an "Aviation Archeologist". Things like confirmation of the materials used for stuffing the seats (horse hair? Jute? Sure wasn't foam!), material "Leatherette" actually was, what the "Mohair" really was, type of edge material used, how the headliner was glued & stapled. These little details can be gotten from TINY scraps of original material.
You don't still have the scraps do you?

[Ragwing nut]

Re: After 50 years NC53500 flies again!

The original seats were gone, but I saved samples of what was left. Tom Baker also has alot of info on these from restoring his nearly 20 years ago now. He built an original seat for this one that I did not use that is for sale.

Mike

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: After 50 years NC53500 flies again!

Tom has shared a wealth of info from his restoration but nothing seems to take the place of a chunk of the original material and a good 10 power magnifier. I'm just a little anal having worked with a few museums. I like knowing the thread count of the fabric and stitches per inch.

[fearofpavement]

Re: After 50 years NC53500 flies again!

Tom has shared a wealth of info from his restoration but nothing seems to take the place of a chunk of the original material and a good 10 power magnifier. I'm just a little anal having worked with a few museums. I like knowing the thread count of the fabric and stitches per inch.

Wow, I am happy with a seat without holes and that doesn't hurt my butt. Never really spent much time thinking about stitches per inch...

[Ragwing nut]

Re: After 50 years NC53500 flies again!

As uncomfortable as a T-craft already is for a tall person, I am much happier with the ultra leather and modern foam cushions that replaced the mohair/horsehair cushions that I originally had in it.

Mike

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: After 50 years NC53500 flies again!

I hear you buddy. I "was" 6'3" and around 210#. A couple of back injuries and I'm down about an inch from that but I still have smacked my head on the cross tubes above the cabin. Sure is nice to be able to loosen those "ropes" and drop the seat some. I have a skylight (factory!) in the 45 which REALLY helps the headroom but even the headlinner in the 41 isn't bad and I see over the nose fine!