Airplanes are the keys to the skies and vehicles for fulfilling dreams. We love all aircraft and own a few vintage birds.
Grumman GooseN9750Z is the newest addition in the hangar. Built in 1943 for the US Navy during World War II, this Goose served its first years in support of the war efforts in the Pacific Ocean. This seaplane has two 450-HP Pratt & Whitney radial engines.
Side note: Ellie Mae would like to point out that this is her favorite plane once she discovered that it can take her to meet new people AND take her to the water for swimming fun. |
Twin-Beech 18
N411J, our 1953 Beech Aircraft Model 18 Twin-Beech, boasts two 450-HP Pratt & Whitney radial engines.
Twin-Beeches were produced from 1937 to November 1969. Over 9,000 were built, making it one of the world's most widely used light aircraft. Sold worldwide as a civilian executive, utility, cargo aircraft, and passenger airliner on tailwheels, nose wheels, skis, or floats, it was also used as a military aircraft. We've removed a couple of the seats for Ellie's dog bed, so this plane has become our official "get somewhere" plane. |
Stearman 4E Junior Speedmail
Our Stearman 4E, N785H, was built in 1929. This 4E has been fully restored with its original Standard Oil of California Stanavo paint scheme. It has an upgraded 500HP Pratt & Whitney radial engine.
The Speedmail was designed by Lloyd Stearman, who said it was the best airplane he ever designed. These airplanes were marketed as fast and luxurious executive transports and mail planes. |
Boeing Stearman PT-27
Brian's Comments: "If you asked me before 2009 if I'd ever own an airplane with a picture of a man for nose art, I would've chuckled. But there's nothing feminine about this plane. It's like an old Harley Davidson that was too mean to stay on the ground. Instead of the rumble of potato-potato-potato, you get the hard-hitting growl of round 450 hp. The Red Baron is highly modified, and there's no maneuver that it will shy away from. Without a doubt, it likes to fly as much as I do."
History of the Stearman
The Stearman Kaydet, a two-seater biplane introduced by Stearman Aircraft Division of Boeing in Wichita, Kansas, in 1934, became an unexpected success during World War II. Its simple, rugged construction made it ideal as a primary trainer for new American and some British pilots.
The Stearman has fabric-covered wooden wings, single-leg landing gear and an over-built welded-steel fuselage. Only radial engines were used. Between 1936 and 1944, Boeing build 8,584 Stearman Kaydets.
Stearman Kaydets were the most popular primary trainer during World War II by both the Navy and Army Air Corps, and the trainers were also sold to Canada, China, the Philippines, Venezuela, Argentia and Brazil for both military and civilian uses. Many were still in service in the early 1990s. Their slow, low-level flying capabilities made them particularly suitable for crop dusting and spraying.