Here's the Texas Chapter February 2012 Newsletter.

Chuck Doyle's Stearman has the engine running, as seen in this video by Ben Redman at RARE Aircraft. Ben says: "First ground run and leak check of the Doyle Stearman were performed today! So far, everything is green light go! The fuel injection and extended exhaust make for little different sound."

Jim Savage has been steadily polishing and restoring his Spartan Executive with the help of mechanic and fellow vintage airplane owner Lynn Ford. The plane is in the Pittsburgh area and was last seen here in October 2011 with old paint being stripped and polished out.

Jim and Lynn have had new lightly tinted windows installed, made with the assistance of a fellow Spartan owner to get the right shape for molding, hand-painted Spartan logos onto the newly polished metal, and are in the process of rebuilding the panel.

An interesting artifact is the 60s-era pneumatic 3-axis autopilot by Brittain. To avoid a long FAA approval hassle Jim is installing the Brittain unit as it is STC'ed for the Spartan.

Here's the Colorado Chapter February 2012 Chapter newsletter. Reports on the chapter banquet, the mystery airplane, and the story of the "Bird Boy" of Montana, Dixon Cromwell.

Mark Lightsey of AeroCraftsman is making great progress on the restoration of a 1937 Waco YKS-7. The art deco paint scheme and colors this Waco is being finished in will make it a stand out at any fly-in it attends.

Mark says: "I'm planning to use the Waco on the Barnstormers Tour this year, so it'll wind up in Blakesburg. Can't wait!"

The latest issue of the Antique Airfield Runway is at the printers. Included in this issue: a recap of the 2011 AAA/APM Invitational Fly-in, the 2012 AAA/APM Invitational Fly-in "theme" announcement, APM News, three pages about the restoration of a rare one-of-a-kind biplane and more!

Look for this 28 page issue (8 pages of color coverage) in your mailboxes soon!!

Had a great day last Saturday January 28th with a large group of our stalwart volunteers working on various projects around the airport. Luke Pieper lead a group cleaning out the roadway fence row, from the gate by the "Library of Flight" all the way to the far South gate. This will allow us access to the chain link fence in order to repair/replace as necessary this spring. It will also open up the driveway to the south campground and RV area a bit, easing congestion during the Fly-in. "Thanks" to Luke, Ken Marth, Dave Coop, Bob Grimm, Dave Falkenhagen, APM Directors Mark Lancaster & Brent Taylor for their hard work on this project.

Another group of volunteers were hard at work inside the APM "Library of Flight" preparing for two major collections that have been recently donated. That included sorting and boxing many duplicate and non aviation related volumes that will be given to the newly formed "Friends of Ottumwa Naval Air Station" for their library. Projects in the "Library of Flight" on Sat also included the construction of yet more permanent shelving. That construction project was spearheaded by APM Director Steve Adkisson with help from Ben Taylor, APM Board President Mike Gretz, APM Directors Steve Black, Mark Robotti, Erik Edgren & Harve Applegate. AAA/APM Founder Robert Taylor was there as well! "Thanks" to all who helped on Sat but especially to Marcy Taylor, Cindy Grimm and Frannie Falkenhagen for keeping all us feed and watered.

EAA Chapter 211 in Grand Haven, MI has partnered with the APM to restore an American Eaglet. After moving the Eaglet to Michigan in November the chapter members have assessed the project and are busy restoring the wings to original configuration.

For the full January progress report and more photos please visit the chapter website.

Many will remember the Lockheed Vega owned for years by AAA Founder and President, Robert Taylor.

The Vega in Rick Barter's shop

That particular Vega, NC12288, was a DL-1B Special, sn # 161. NC12288 was one of nine metal fuselage Vega’s built and it was originally assembled from leftover parts while Lockheed was in receivership in 1933. The original owner was John Morrell Meat Packing Co. here in Ottumwa, Iowa where the airplane was operated as the "Morrell Pride II”. In later years it was owned/operated by the likes of Braniff, Texas & Northern Airways of Sioux City, IA, Green Construction Co (another Iowa based company), where it was used to haul personnel/equipment during the Alcan Hwy project, Northern Consolidated and others.

The airplane was purchased as a basket case by APM Founder J.G. “Jack” Lowe in 1964 with RLT beginning restoration shortly thereafter. A totally new wing was constructed, taking Lyle & Tom Hoselton (both deceased) four years of full time effort to accomplish that daunting task.

Original trim and markings

The Vega was finished and test flown in the summer of 1968 but unfortunately Jack passed away a few months before. Ownership of the airplane then passed to RLT and it was flown but occasionally over the next fifteen years.

RLT sold the Vega in 1983 and the new owner had very little success in being able to operate the aircraft safely. It was severely damaged and later sold to John Magoffin of Tucson, AZ. John started extensive repairs with the fuselage being moved to Eloy, AZ and the wing being shipped to John LaNoue, builder of the Vickers Vimy project, in Novato, CA.

The project languished for a time then enter Rick Barter, Skywords Aviation LLC, Avra Valley Airport, Marana, AZ. The Vega was transported to Rick’s shop where he has been hard at work on the restoration.

As can be seen by the attached picture, the fuselage has been straightened, repaired and is back on the gear. In recent correspondence Rick indicates that “the tail is ready for color and today I am putting the surface tapes on the wing”.

On the delivery flight to new owner, Dec 30th, 1983. Well known airshow pilot, Dave Dacy, was the delivery pilot.

It’s hoped that John and Rick will be able to have the Vega flying in time to participate in the AAA/APM Invitational Fly-in, Aug 29th - Sep 3rd, 2012. The Vega would certainly be a key airplane in our “Cow Pastures to Commercial Carriers” celebration.

Brent Taylor