Just thought I would pass on my efforts on my latest(?) project - 1939 J-3 that I've owned for 18 years that was a pile of parts. Barb thought I better get working on it before I get too old to get in it, so I got it down out of the rafters and got started! Anyway, got the fuselage covered today, next the tapes, then on to the paint booth before I start on the wings. It hasn't flown since 1965 when it was wrecked in Michigan. If I hurry, maybe I can have a dogfight with Les and Harv at Harv [Applegate]'s fly-in in Queen City, MO.

Dan Kirkpatrick

Bill Allen sent us a summary of the 2010 Ryan Reunion:

Shown here are Bill Allen, owner of the Ryan STM-2 N466WA with Jerry Ryan, son of the late T Claud Ryan, and Andre Hissink, who flew S-30 eight times while training in the Dutch East Indies military on Java in 1942. Andre lives in Perth Canada and traveled all the way to San Diego with his log book to see the Ryan. He is 90 years old.

We had Andre do an oral history at the San Diego Air and Space Museum.

The Ryan was acquired in 1981 in trade for the first Stearman to go to Australia. She was first restored by Bill Allen and Carl Hays and finished in 1984. In 2009 she was re-restored at Ragtime Aero in Placerville and won best warbird at Reno. The Ryan is powered by a Menasco C4S supercharged 150 HP motor rebuilt by Brad Ball in Santa Paula, CA.

Larry Tobin's 1927 Stearman C3B SN 004 took wing this morning after a 2 1/2 year rebuild following his horrific crash landing in the Columbia Gorge on our return from New York Sept 20 2008. Larry did the first ride without a squawk list and then I was able to test hop that airplane as well as my son Ryan. The rigging is nearly perfect and the airplane is as it was once again. Larry is to be commended for his tenacity, craftsmanship and drive to get the major damage repaired and return this oldest flying Stearman in the air again. A great day for all of us at Felts Field in Spokane.

Addison Pemberton

The wing is being assembled on Bob and Bill Juranich's Command-Aire 5C3 at Auburn Municipal Airport, Auburn WA. Bob Johnson and Dustin Peterson have been busy with fabric covering, painting, and now hoisting the wing in preparation for final rig. Former owner Jeremy Young dropped by to help as well.

Addison Pemberton in Spokane, WA wrote the latest pictures of his 1936 350 HP Wright powered Waco EQC-6 project.

As you can see in the pictures the fresh Wright R706-E2 is now fully rigged and set up. We have had to fabricate a new oil tank with preheat and 6 gallon capacity for long trips and winter starts. Aircraft Exhaust did a magnificent job on a new stainless exhaust system at a very reasonable price. We have also installed the oil cooler between the gear legs with a faring and veritherm. This with the addition of a thermo barrier on the firewall and a tight cabin we expect a comfortable summer airplane that is quite and comfortable

We have blue trim and await the artist to trim for gold pinstriping. The head liner and side wall interior is now finished in rich period fabrics and leather. The Instrument panel and all the Avionics and entertainment system are checked out and crystal clear.

The final push now is the finishing touches on all the firewall forward new sheet metal and gear fairings. The airplane is through final color except for the upper wings for which waiting for 80 degree temps to shoot dope and color.

Thought I would update all on the latest progress on the APM "Restoration Center". Today we had a visit from another contractor that will be bidding on the foundation/floor work. Once all bids are submitted and a decision is made by the APM Board, construction should begin (pending weather) in late May or early June.

Also, we've located locally a windmill tower that will used to mount a wind turbine to help power the "Restoration Center". The plan is to disguise the tower to appear as an old airways beacon/spot light tower. The beacon/windmill tower is being donated by Rex Yoakam and two of our local members, Ray Wilkes and Larry Cofer, are currently working on the logistics to get this tower transferred to Antique Airfield.

Fund raising efforts continue for the Restoration Center as well. So far $48,650.00 (of our $71,000.00 goal) has been raised via our "Buy-a-Foot" campaign. That's 1946 sq ft (68.52%) of the available 2840 sq ft leaving only 894 sq ft left to purchase. So if you want to help build the Restoration Center, you can claim your sq ft (or more) with an accompanying "Deed Of Trust" for $25.00 per sq.ft. via PayPal here on the website or by sending check or money order to the "APM Buy-a-Foot Campaign" 22001 Bluegrass Rd. Ottumwa, Iowa 52501.

Please include how you want your name to appear on the "Deed of Trust" and any requests for specific plots. All donations are tax deductible.

Brent Taylor

The crew at the Posey Brothers restoration shop decided to build a Piet. Steve Lindrooth is picture, and he says it is a group effort including Joe Jardot, Steve Neiger, and Juliet Lindrooth.

Meanwhile, there's also an Alexander Eaglerock underway in the same shop. The Eaglerock is a 1928 Alexander Eaglerock A-4 Hisso. The wings (not pictured) are undergoing cover and paint.

Here's the May 2011 Newsletter for the Colorado Chapter. Report on Sun N Fun and more.

Read all the Chapter newsletters.