Even more great news this week. After 4 1/2 years of dedicated and detailed restoration, Don “Pops” Newman made the first post restoration flight in his PT-19.
This airplane had not flown since 1965 and was covered with inches of dirt and dust when hangar doors were pried open several years ago. After being signed over to the airport, it was awarded to Don under Flabob’s “homestead” program. Don went through every inch of the airplane including the engine in the ensuing 4 years. Now that’s a pretty good pace but even better when you consider that this was all after hours and weekends after he was finished helping here in the shop! At any rate, Don’s stubborness paid off and he made the first flight look easy, like he’d done it before. Oh yeah, he had done it before. This is his second Fairchild project. I guess practice makes perfect!
Nice job Pops!!!
Here’s a link to Keith Folkert’s Picassa gallery that has some really cool pictures of Pop’s project before, during and after.
I have a few before and after pictures in my Picasa gallery that might be interesting. It was actually less than fours after he started the restoration, you’ve short changed him.
Thanks for the link Keith. Great pics and you’re right, it was a little faster than 4 1/2 years, but Pop’s head is already swelled enough!!!!