back in service

[Jim Hartley]

She looks better and is better than when I bought her ten years ago. I hope to go another ten years before a rebuild. She lives out side and the cover will be thirty years by then. We will see.

[M Towsley]

Re: back in service

Pretty bird, Jim. I'm partial to red, though. Hope she stays around for a long time.

[Jim Hartley]

Re: back in service

Thanks Marty! I considering parting her out and I am glad I did not. These old birds are becoming fewer and fewer.

The colors are Stitts Cruiser Orange and Insignia White. We painted the rear lemon yellow over white and I ended up sanding it off as It showed the paint spray patterns and all imperfections. A huge disappointment and it was unacceptable. Lemon yellow should only be used on a new substrate with no imperfections as it has low pigment making it transparent. I like the white better anyhow and so far everyone that saw it before and after prefers the white also.

Jim

[skyboltone]

Re: back in service

I think you get a bit less hot sun there in Palmer than we do here in Nevada. I'm never the less pleased that you've had good luck keeping her outside. We can't all afford a hangar. There is some sort of assumption here in the lower 48 that a person will go to blazes for keeping one of these classic birds on the ramp but at least in the beginning that's where mine will live.

I lived in Fairbanks from '99 through '05 and found that the vast majority of airplanes are outside. Get up and go broom the snow off the wings when you get a wet dump.

In Glen Allan I think there is still a Howard parked outside there isn't there?
Dan
Sparks, NV

[N-43121]

Re: back in service

Congratulations Jim, I noticed your bird on the ramp when I drove by today. Sure looks nice .... especially since the last time I saw her outside! Let me know if you would like me to post those wind damage photos, or I can email to you. I'm planning a trip to Shell Lake tomorrow to watch the iron dog race. Do you have skis for your tcraft?

Rod

[skyboltone]

Re: back in service

Jim, are those 8:00 or 8:50s on the mains?

[Jim Hartley]

Re: back in service

Dan, I do remember seeing a Howard at Gulkana air port just outside of Glenallen several years ago. I have 850's on the Tcraft.

Thanks Rod! Go ahead and post the pictures if you want to. We did a one minute full power run up with no glitches this morning. I decided against a test flight due to the wind and strip conditions and lack of recent flight time. I hope next Friday to put on a couple of hours on wheels and then to skis. We may have to adjust the lift struts as they are new. The skis have to be rigged to the Tcraft. I retired the old Federal 1500's in favor a nice set of Landis 2000's. I wish I was ready and I would fly up with you. If the weather cooperates I will be back in business this next weekend.


jim

[M Jones]

Re: back in service

Nice Jim, I like it!

[Jim Hartley]

Re: back in service

Nice Jim, I like it!

Thanks Mike! I am anxious to get back in the air. The next two months of ski flying can be a blast.

Jim

[N74DV]

Re: back in service

Looks good!

Our '46 was last covered in 1971 with Irish linen and dope and it's still in excellent condition. Taken care of, covering will last a VERY long time.

[wlas]

Re: back in service

Jim.. Looks good , It's came a long ways since last summer when I looked at it.

[N-43121]

Re: back in service

... Thanks Rod! Go ahead and post the pictures if you want to....
jim

Jim, I finally got around to logging on the computer and looking for those pics. Here's a couple shots of your pretty bird when she wasn't quite so pretty ... after one of our infamous wind storms. Sure looks a lot better now.

Hope you are enjoying having her back in the air again.

Blue Skies,

Rod

[Larry Lyons]

Re: back in service

Cripes Rod, even mine looked better then that after 33 years of sitting in a dirt floored hanger! :-) L

[Steve Long]

Re: back in service

Good to see you'll be back in the air soon, Jim. The plane looks great. Are you planning to go to Valdez in May? I'm hoping to make it again along with Jim Brewer and possibley some others. Happy Flying! Steve

[Jim Hartley]

Re: back in service

Thanks Steve. I have managed to put a couple of hours on her. She flew hands off with no squawks on the first flight. Not the norm with new lift struts I understand. I think I may skip ski flying this year... We'll see... I am planning to fly to Valdez this year also. Perhaps we can have a fair size gathering of Taylorcrafts there?

Jim