Yet another project: A C-140 which is getting the full treatment. The white wings have been recovered and are seen in the first shot in this thread. Ken is an A&P/IA and Lorraine helps a great deal with these jobs as well as being a master interior fabricator; she proudly showed me her "sewing room" over the hangar where she's restoring some Navajo seats.

     


A look inside... it was great to have a good look at a stripped-out 140, and Lorraine showed me a number of things to look for when shopping for one... I really hit pay dirt meeting these folks.
The C-85 from this Cessna will go on the Culver, making that little sucker a serious "pocket rocket"!


     


A look at L's handiwork... this is "Charlie", their only flying 140. I got to help L. take the skis off and put the wheels back on once we got it back in the hangar... my first time tinkering with an airplane; very rewarding.


     

Speaking of skis: Lorraine also took me for a hop in "Charlie", operating off one of the grass strips here. The snow was a bit "rotten", but I did OK. Four landings, each with a wild 180 on the snow to back taxi (full rudder, full power, and round you go in a big wild arc). We also bombed around the area at 2000 feet or so... quite a difference between this bird with its O-200 and the C85-powered 140 I flew a few weeks ago. No heavy wing, either... she flies straight and true.

The dollies seen here are removed after one taxiis over to the snow, then put back on to taxi back to the hangar (with the assistance of a heavy bar for leverage). As you might tell, the dolly wheels have no brakes. L. let me taxi it back, with her walking behind to swing the tail if needed (it doesn't steer well on the dolly wheels, even though the tailwheel stays as is for snow ops).
I did OK with that, too- luckily I've always believed brakes are for stopping, not for slowing down or steering... a useful habit.






Anyway, logged 1.2 more C-140 hours, on skis yet, and Lorraine's signoff (she's also a CFII; LOL) on the logbook entry closed out another page- my 13th page.
Thirteen was always my lucky number...

A flight report will follow soon, but for now all I'll say is: it totally sucked, and I just acted happy so as not to hurt their feelings.

I can't properly express my thanks to the Morris clan... they embody the "fraternity of the air" thing with real class and genuine warmth, and are also very generous with their beer.


Have a gander at their website (Spartan pics!! ):

http://www.taildraggeraviation.com/

Hagar wrote on Feb 17^th, 2008 at 5:34pm:


Way out my league, for sure... but they didn't seem to mind having me around.

Amazing stuff, Sean. That 140 looks absolutely gorgeous. You're back out in Chi-town on business then or...?

Wow.. what a neat experience.. and neat folks.

Thanks for sharing it 

beaky wrote on Feb 17^th, 2008 at 8:53pm:



Yeah.. it's pretty rare to meet "un-nice" aviation enthusiasts... but these folks seem extra special. If you're gonna be in Dayton, I'll make a point to be there too.. (you owe me a burger..  )

If you're planning on driving the whole way..  just drive as far as Delaware (just north of Columbus), and we'll take the Mooney over to Dayton from there...  Urbana is right there too.. so you can see the B-17 restoration.

Flying Buckeye wrote on Feb 17^th, 2008 at 9:17pm:

These folks... click the link for "Dayton '08".

http://www.cessna120-140.org/

We could double back to your car, same day.. it's literally a 20min flight from Delaware to Dayton in the Mooney..not much more than an hour drive. I'm gonna fly regardless (even if I have to take the torturous 30 min flight in a Skyhawk or Warrior   ).. you're welcome to the right seat..

Willit Run wrote on Feb 17^th, 2008 at 11:25pm:


Just one magical day; a lucky break. so far, the rest has been typically miserable.