And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
I suspect you have never flown one. Take a guess how long you can fly that engine before needing a overhaul. All the guys that could mechanic those are either retired or dead (excepting those crazy bush guys in the far north). A new Cessna 182 cost about 750K. That beast would be about double that and then the insurance (Lotto level money) would kill you every year. Very few taildraggers are sold these days, most light sport types. The only old school ones I can think of are cropdusters (most with PT6 turbines), Maule, Champion and super expensive Piper Cub updates like the Carbon Cub. There is a reason. But I will admit that Staggerwing does give a plane whore serious wood. I just remember they were loud, vibrating, smelly, drafty, cold and loud (did I mention loud) handful with a need for a LOT of right leg on takeoff. I got to fly one in Amarillo back about 1972. I preferred the Cessna 185 Ag Wagon. Much easier to fly. Not as cute, but easier.
That's why you don't build it with a 1930s radial engine. Lycoming makes (or made) 450hp engines through the 1970s, which are just fuel-injected and turbocharged version of the O-540.
You're going for the styling and performance, not trying to build and market an exact historical replica down the last rivet and screw.
Aesop, a round engine would be required for styling purposes, at least. Why cant one of those radial engine designs be updated with the latest metallurgy and, perhaps, cooling systems? The plane can't be built under the original placards and be marketable, so throw in the new engine design with it.
Is that a Beech or an Aironca Model 17 perhaps? Aironca was HQ'ed in Middletown OH and they had an annual fly in there. Just down the way from me when I was much younger
Beechcraft Staggerwing, so named because the top wing is behind the bottom one just like a Sopwith Dolphin. One of the first executive aircraft, made to be sold to rich businessmen who would fly themselves around. My boss used to have a side gig maintaining one for Michael Potter before he founded Vintage Wings Canada. Scroll down to the 2nd row here, https://www.vintagewings.ca/the-boneyard Al_in_Ottawa
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe Staggerwing is surprisingly inexpensive considering its performance and lasting good looks.
ReplyDeleteI never understand why companies don't dust off their Greatest Hits, upgrade them modestly, and manufacture new-made examples.
ReplyDeleteBeech could sell 10 Staggerwings for every modern plane they'll sell, and grow their market base by leaps and bounds.
I suspect you have never flown one. Take a guess how long you can fly that engine before needing a overhaul. All the guys that could mechanic those are either retired or dead (excepting those crazy bush guys in the far north). A new Cessna 182 cost about 750K. That beast would be about double that and then the insurance (Lotto level money) would kill you every year. Very few taildraggers are sold these days, most light sport types. The only old school ones I can think of are cropdusters (most with PT6 turbines), Maule, Champion and super expensive Piper Cub updates like the Carbon Cub. There is a reason. But I will admit that Staggerwing does give a plane whore serious wood. I just remember they were loud, vibrating, smelly, drafty, cold and loud (did I mention loud) handful with a need for a LOT of right leg on takeoff. I got to fly one in Amarillo back about 1972. I preferred the Cessna 185 Ag Wagon. Much easier to fly. Not as cute, but easier.
DeleteThat's why you don't build it with a 1930s radial engine.
DeleteLycoming makes (or made) 450hp engines through the 1970s, which are just fuel-injected and turbocharged version of the O-540.
You're going for the styling and performance, not trying to build and market an exact historical replica down the last rivet and screw.
At least, you don't if you're not stupid.
Aesop, a round engine would be required for styling purposes, at least. Why cant one of those radial engine designs be updated with the latest metallurgy and, perhaps, cooling systems? The plane can't be built under the original placards and be marketable, so throw in the new engine design with it.
DeleteThere's more than one way to skin a cat.
DeleteAt any rate, someone should do it.
Such an elegant design, timeless.
ReplyDeleteBoth the people in the cockpit have their heads tilted up... makes sense...
ReplyDeleteOnly if they were riding a motorcycle, g force ya know?
ReplyDeleteIs that a Beech or an Aironca Model 17 perhaps? Aironca was HQ'ed in Middletown OH and they had an annual fly in there. Just down the way from me when I was much younger
ReplyDeleteBeechcraft Staggerwing, so named because the top wing is behind the bottom one just like a Sopwith Dolphin. One of the first executive aircraft, made to be sold to rich businessmen who would fly themselves around. My boss used to have a side gig maintaining one for Michael Potter before he founded Vintage Wings Canada. Scroll down to the 2nd row here,
ReplyDeletehttps://www.vintagewings.ca/the-boneyard
Al_in_Ottawa
Strafing run, but the guns are over on the Learstar.
ReplyDeleteIf you want an updated Staggerwing, then look at the Griffon Lionheart.
ReplyDeleteExactly three of which exist, and only one of which is airworthy.
DeleteNot quite the answer one would be looking for.