Those of you who enjoy airplanes and fine historical writing might enjoy this.

Those of you with a little German or Luscombe exposure will have an advantage.

A little-known bit of aviation history

Interesting - strange, but interesting!

IRT German aircraft we attended the Wings Over Houston airshow this weekend which feature the Blue Angels and reenactments of WWII and Vietnam aircraft engagements. It was surprising to see a real Mitsubishi Zero and the announcer introducing the world premier of the Messerschmidt 262 jet powered twin engine fighter. That thing flys at 560 knots and is quite the show. If you get to see such a show near you do it!

Rusty - here is one you will appreciate! Here

That's at least the 2nd landing like that - on the first (a few years ago), they put a makeshift table out. It looks like they refined the piece.

The early Cessna 210s could have used something like that.

Well, with wheels, I guess.

I had a 1961 210A and put 1800 hour on it, Yes Bill it could have used bigger wheels. It was really a modified 182 at its introduction. GREAT flying aircraft and was fast for it's time!

It is still alive in Alaska although it is not a good aircraft for Alaska flying.

I was sorely vexed by the hydraulics and landing gear on that plane. For example, that hydraulic module in the center of the panel was an expensive nightmare. A lousy two-bit O ring drip could cost a small fortune, because the whole thing had to be exchanged for a "remanufactured" one.

But, very nice flying.

quote:

Originally posted by MWrench:
Yes Bill it could have used bigger wheels.

But, tundra tires would not have fit in the wheel wells.

quote:

It is not a good aircraft for Alaska flying.

A 170B with tundra tires and the crosswind gear would do the job. In the hands of a good pilot, it could humble a Super Cruiser or almost anything short of a Helio. Better than an L19, even.

L-19 is pretty good in the rough - it had a 210 hp Continental, while the 170B had the 145 HP.

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
L-19 is pretty good in the rough - it had a 210 hp Continental, while the 170B had the 145 HP.

A great plane, in every way. I worked on them in the Army, and saw some really great piloting. I sorta think L-19 and Herky Bird pilots were the best.

An L-19 with crosswind gear and tundra tires would really be something. I would imagine the O 470 would allow a shorter take off run than the 170B, even though the 170B is lighter. Can't carry much in an L-19, though.