Twin Bo's return

We were eating breakfast at the Stearman Café today and saw several Twin Bonanza's arrive (Beechcraft Model 50).  They are typically equipped with Lycoming GO-480 engines.  Quite a sight and sound.  The Beech Queen Air (Model 65) and King Air (Model 90) are direct descendants of the Model 50 using similar wing design, landing gear, and other components.  They were here about this time last year.  These are big airplanes!

Fall flight

Our friends Steve and Kim are visiting so we worked in a Stinson flight yesterday morning, flying down to Cook Field and then around El Dorado Lake.  Skies were pretty smooth and winds were light by Kansas norms. Steve helped clean off bugs afterwards.

Road trip a blast

I picked up a 26 Foot U-Haul truck Thursday evening for a road trip to Minneapolis to pick up a different left wing for the V-77 restoration.  My friend Jim, who accompanied on the original trip to Florida in December 2017 to get the V-77, rode shotgun once again.  We had a great time with lots of great conversation both directions....and way too many snacks!  On the way up we diverted to the east a little so Jim could visit his mom since we were in the area.  We arrived Friday evening in the suburb of Inver Grove Heights with great anticipation for Saturday's fun.

Saturday morning my friend Randy, who had the extra left wing, met us at the hotel and we followed him to the airport.  We went to the hangar of his friend Mike, who owns a V-77 and was going flying....and we were going along!  This was both Jim and my first flights in a Gullwing Stinson.  It was an incredible morning with no wind, cool temperatures (frost over night), great visibility, and smooth air.  I got to fly the Gullwing from just after takeoff until just before landing.  It was an incredible experience and leaves me wanting to hurry up and get mine finished.  The 9 cylinder radial is so smooth, there was no vibration to be felt.  The airplane holds altitude like it is on rails.  Controls were smooth and light.  The cabin was very comfy and the heater worked great.  Jim commented towards the end of the flight that this was the most enjoyable flight he had ever been on....and he has flown a lot!  We cruised at 1000 feet enjoying the view of ground fog over the Mississippi and area lakes, and looking at the fall foliage.  I wondered at times if this was a dream since it was so nice.  Jim took a lot of video and stills, so I'll put some of that on here in a few days.

After the flight, we went to Randy's hangar and inspected his progress on his V-77 restoration....which looks great.  We then loaded the wing into the U-Haul with help from several of Mike and Randy's friends who came by.  We hit the road in late morning (11:00 AM) and arrived in Benton around 10:00 PM last night.  We had several friends on hand to help with the unloading, which went quickly.  Debbie made cookies for all to enjoy.  Wade was by this morning to inspect things and gave me a few tasks I could get started on.    Now the fun / work begins. Yay!

Mike's V-77

Kitchen area in back of hangar

Laser etched cabinet door inserts 

I'm flying a V-77 grin

Perfect day for flying

Jim enjoying the cabin comforts

Afterwards

Randy's V-77 in paint booth, a
historically accurate restoration

Wing in U-Haul

Randy...on the road again!

Unload help, Jim, Gary, Randy,
Nathan, and Dennis (L to R)

Time to get to work!

A different left wing in our future

Progress on the V-77 has been slow lately.  Wade and I are going to Minneapolis in 2 weeks to get another left wing since our spar is really bent from the accident back in the 70's.  Stay tuned.

Some friends from Seattle passed though recently and I was able to get a Stinson flight in for them.  They make passengers 151 and 152 in N678RD.  We have had a nice string of fall weather and I have been taking advantage of that flying often.

Randy (L) and Don

Don and Teri enjoying a Stinson flight

Zoom in and see two Stearman with smoke
 on getting ready for an overhead break

Stinson Summit talk on the V-77 restoration

Here is a link to the Stinson Tech Channel on YouTube and my presentation I made about the restoration to date on the V-77.  It's about 38 minutes long, so make some popcorn first.  Hope you enjoy it!

V-77 Talk