Nobody in the office/store, but the door on the first hangar was cracked open, and somebody waved to me... one of the gentlemen who was having a lunch break while working on... this.
1918 Jenny, found in many pieces, fixed up with some fresh bits and pieces (like the very nice steel firewall). Four years so far, but they have an OX-5 handy, and she will fly again. first time since the late 1930s. How about that.
The raw material: here's a wing panel awaiting restoration. The spar looks good but some of the stringers are rotten.
From the looks of their handiwork, she'll be better than new when she flies again.
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Also of interest: the wing from a Monocoupe 90...
A last look (for now) at the Jenny. I hope I can be there when she flies again.
We got to talking about ORA's splendid Hisso-powered Jenny; one of the guys mentioned that they had grounded it because it was "too rare" to fly.
Before I could say "old Cole (Palen) must be rolling over in his grave", he said it for me. :-/
Nice to know this old girl will be flying for some time; these fellows know what to do with a beautifully restored classic- fly it!!
If you like the very idea of rebuilding old planes flying and flying them over cornfields...plan a visit, or at least visit the site:
http://www.goldenageair.org/
Next: part 2
