News from the Bay Area: Walt Bowe has acquired a Laird project from Jimmy Rollison, and is in the process of restoring it at Schellville, CA. More updates to come as the restoration progresses.

Dec 7th. What better way to remember the sacrifice and bravery of those veterans at that pivotal point in our nation’s history, than to celebrate the freedoms they fought and died for by going flying.

Well that’s exactly what we did here at Antique Airfield today with the added benefit of bringing home the latest addition to the APM’s collection, a Piel CP-605 “Super Diamant”.

Diamant builder, owner, pilot and donor Mike Lewis

But I’m getting a bit ahead of the story. Mike Lewis, from Cedar Falls, IA, had contacted RLT a while back stating his desire to donate his Piel “Super Diamant” to the APM. Mike had spent twelve years building the all wood low wing, finishing it in 1987. Over the succeeding years Mike had flown the airplane almost 1000 hrs but the Diamant was put in storage a couple of years ago as Mike was spending more time flying his RV-4.

Having seen Mike’s Diamant at many a flight breakfast and local fly-ins in the past, I knew it to be an outstanding example of a plans built "legacy" homebuilt and felt that it would make an excellent addition to the APM. So did all our other APM Directors.

Arrangements were made and on Dec. 1st yours truly, son Ben, his girlfriend and APM volunteer Annie Price drove to Waverly, IA (were the Diamant was hangared) to help Mike perform a condition inspection (annual) and prepare it for its trip to Antique Airfield. The condition inspection went without in hitch, in large part due to Mike’s careful storage of the airframe and engine. Only a few minor problems were encountered but the hoped for test flight and possible return to Antique Airfield that day was thwarted by low ceilings, brisk winds and snow.

On the way to its new home at the APM, the Diamant tucks in close to the camera ship. (Ben Taylor photo)

Once back home we began the weather watch in hopes that we could get the Diamant home before winter closed in. With December’s short days and fast changing weather patterns a quicker way was needed to get from Antique Airfield to Waverly and return than by driving. Enter APM volunteer Bud Sorden. Bud offered to fly us up to Waverly in his Cessna 172 and act as a chase/photo plane for the trip home.

That brings us back to today. Bud arrived at Antique Airfield early and by 9am Bud, Ben and I were in the air and headed N. Coming into the pattern at Waverly we could see that Mike had the Diamant out of the hangar and ready to go. Mike performed a twenty minute test flight after which we removed the cowling for a quick inspection to make certain all was copasetic. Then it was my turn. I launched in the Diamant and spent about twenty minutes in the area familiarizing myself with this delightful airplane. Back on the ground we topped the tanks and bid Mike a heartfelt "Thanks" as we prepared for the flight S.

An hour after takeoff from Waverly found us on the ground at the Oskaloosa airport were I topped the tanks again (to assess the fuel burn) and for Ben to switch from photo duties in the 172 to riding the rest of the way home in the Diamant. A short ten minute flight found us landing to the S at Antique Airfield and the Diamant was home.

Gracing the grass on arrival at Antique Airfield

The Diamant, a 1960 design, will be kept flyable and be used to promote interest in plans built "legacy" homebuilts or 2nd generation antiques as it were. These aircraft represent not only an affordable way for one to get involved in sport aviation but there restoration and /or continued airworthiness provides a direct link to the construction methods traditionally used in antique and classic aircraft designs.

I'd certainly like to thank Bud Sorden for his help in getting the Diamant home but most of all we owe a big "THANK YOU" to Mike Lewis for his generosity and foresight in donating his pride and joy to the Air Power Museum.

Brent Taylor

Dennis C. Guentzel sent photos of his Waco Taperwing over the Bridger Range just north of Bozeman, Montana. A gorgeous airplane over a wonderful area to fly.

This is a 1929 Waco ATO, S.N. A83, restored by Rare Aircraft in Faribault, Mn. in 2002. The airborne shots are by photographer Chip Raches.

I am again participating in the American Barnstormer Tour this coming summer and I will be stopping at Antique Airfield for your big fly-in the week before Labor Day on the way home from the tour. I believe that many of the other tour aircraft will be attending also. So I hope to see you then.

After numerous videos of the restoration and first flights, Mike Araldi has been putting some hours on his Waco AGC-8. This photo taken December 4 in Lakeland, FL.

Texas Chapter December 2011 Newsletter	Colorado Chapter December 2011 Newsletter

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