Tim Lunceford of Albany, OR, has a thing for Heaths and especially Heath Racers. He's working on a replica of the Baby Bullet, and has acquired a Bristol Cherub 2 cylinder, 32 HP engine. The wing panels are approximately 8 feet long and are ready to cover. The leading edges are a knifeedge. However Tim thinks that the fuselage needs some lightening before it will be ready, he's planning to work it over.

Here's the Texas Chapter April 2011 Newsletter. See all the chapter newsletters.

A few years ago, during one of the AAA/APM Fly-in's, Tom Huf (Bamboo Bomber) let it be known that he would be interested in restoring the APM's Link Trainer. Then last year he made good on that promise when, during the 2010 AAA/APM Fly-in, the Link was disassembled, loaded in a trailer and eventually transported to Tom & Elaine's (Elaine of pink L-16 and Stinson 10 fame) private airstrip near Kingsley, PA by Dave Lamb and Ben Taylor.

The completed Link back on display in the APM.

Tom, Elaine and Barry Taylor preparing to unwrap and unload the Link after it's trip back to Antique Airfield from PA. That's local AAA member Clint Swan's Champ in the background.

Tom & Elaine have returned with and completed re-assembly of the Link, so it's once again on display in the APM annex. This by the way, is the third Link Trainer Tom has restored, with others on display at the EAA museum in Oshkosh and the Piper museum in Lock Haven.

The heavy parts (base and octagon/bellows) safely placed and re-assembled in the APM annex.

Tom and Elaine's restoration of the Link is magnificent! While not operational due to a few key parts missing, it is nevertheless restored to near original condition. Details such as the correct zippered inspection access, cotton covering (unbleached muslin similar to Grade A cotton) and nitrate dope for the interior, the correct nickel plated grommets to attach the seat covering, refaced original instruments (done by Keystone Instruments in Lock Haven, PA), correct colors and markings etc. will make this an outstanding display for years to come.

Fuselage mounted. Next wings, tail and other auxiliary parts.

During the restoration it was discovered that this is perhaps the oldest Link Trainer in existence. It is sn # 708 of over 10,000 built. According to Tom it's the only one he has ever seen with a wooden stick (most Links had either an aluminum stick assembly or a control wheel). Other details that set it apart from later Link's include a fabric covered hatch as opposed to an all wooden one and the aforementioned zippered inspection access.

It's beginning to look like an airplane er .....

The Link will draw lots of attention we're certain.

The restored cockpit and instrument panel.

A view of the "other" side.

Elaine, Tom and RLT discuss the restoration and Link history.

Thanks to all whom had a part in this project but especially to Tom and Elaine for their hard work and dedication.

Brent Taylor
Treasurer APM

Addison Pembertson, Spokane Felts Field, sent a video clip of a sunset flight:

Here is a short 2.7 min YouTube clip that Andy Bradford did for me last night with our Go Pro HD camera. This was in our 1931 Stearman 4DM Sr Speedmail April 1, 2011 from Spokane Felts Field and back to Felts.

The eve was magic and the new engine on the Speedmail purrs like a kitten in a creamery. The Speedmail is the Cadillac of the biplanes and a joy to fly. Smooth, fast, stable powerful with nearly windless open cockpits.

Harve Applegate has almost completed the recover/rebuild of the newest addition to their family fleet, a Piper Vagabond.

2010 saw Harve fulfill a long held desire to own a Vagabond with the purchase of PA-15, N4304H. Ben Taylor accomplished an engine change, from 65 hp Lycoming to a Continental A-65, last May and the Applegate's spent the spring/summer/fall enjoying their new airplane.

Then after the good flying weather was over for the year the Vagabond was torn down for recover and upgrade.

N4304H is almost ready to fly once again and we had a chance to look over the "new and improved" Vagabond on a visit to Applegate Airport (near Queen City, MO) earlier this week. We look forward to seeing Harve and Matt winging into Antique Airfield soon.

Larry Tobin's 1927 Stearman C3B will soon be back in the skies near Spokane, WA. Larry says: "Work started the day we got the plane home after the 2008 crash. Fuselage was cut off at the pilot seat and new one built by Matt Burrows who built the Boeing 40. New wings built by John Pike of Big Sky wings. Ryan Pemberton has been the main man building the complex sheet metal. Addison Pemberton my good friend as the problem solver and always there to help, no matter how busy. The old girl should fly better than ever. First flight planned for early May. Photos by George Perks.