Warbird Information Exchange

Hey guys, I tried a search for this and found nothing, so I thoght you all might be able to help. A few years ago (like 10) I was out at GEMCO in in Ohio. They specialize in the restoration of Beech Staggerwings. They at one time had a Msteryship that was finished in a red paint scheme. It crashed in test flights, and then went to the Beech Museum, where it was supposed to be restored for static display. Does anyone know of this aircraft?

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

After it was rebuilt it was put on display at The Air Zoo. Not sure why it didnt stay at the Staggerwing Museum.

http://www.airzoo.org/

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Blue Skies,
Dan
http://www.flytoanothertime.com

I thought the travel air was finished in a red and dark green or black scheme. I had even seen pics of after the rebuild once, but the pic didn't say where it was. I also thought the one I sw was a real one, and the one in the Air Zoo was a replica, but I might be wrong, as I am new at all of this.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Well... there are two of them. Younkin's replica was built back in about 1980 and that is the red and black one. It is based in AR and I saw pics a friend took of it back in SEPT at the Bartlesville Fly-in. The TEXACO machine is the one that was "restored" by the Staggerwing people. Think there may have been some parts from an original that were included in the rebuild. This is the one up at The Air Zoo.

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Blue Skies,
Dan
http://www.flytoanothertime.com

Cool thank you so much. That has been driving me nuts for ever.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

The pilot was a good friend of mine. Bob Van Audell was based out of Santa Paula airport and very active
in the CAF's. S.Cal wing flying the C-46, Zero, B-25 ect. He also restored vintage aircraft such has his award winning D-17 and the Storch in the AF Museum. During WWII he was a fliying S/Sgt flying B-25 straffers in the 500th BS 345th BG Air Apaches. The cause of the crash was medical has Bob suffered a massive stroke on final and was believe dead before the actual crash. He was a neat and awesome guy. first class all the way!

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Don't touch my junk!!

not to contradict you Dan, but I believe the one in the Air Zoo was actually a replica built by Willard benedict, who unfortunately passed away before he completed it, ( it was essentially complete however)
Jack Cox reported on his progress a few times in Sportsman Pilot magazine.
The machine was painted in the Texaco colors, had a Wright R975, and was a real labour of love for Mr. Benedict.
I do not belive it ever flew before he died, but it was built to a complete airworthy standard.
So this makes three
The Younkin replica ( operated by his grandson )
the staggerwing museum version ( not sure of location or status )
Willard Benedict replica ( Air Zoo )

oh, forgot about two others
One is hanging in the Chicago museum,
This one is original

and apparently the estate, ( family ) of Panco Barnes, famous Aviatrix, and racer, still retains her aircraft?? this is certainly rumour, although I have never seen pictures, it would be fantastic if true.

I always admired the Mystery ship, and its racing history, Doug Davis created such a controversy with it in 1929.
I even stole the race number for my Pitts at Reno ( Race 31 ) some years back, but had no where near! the success of Mr Davis

Thats OK. I thought since they were both painted in Texas colors it was the same machine. Also thought I read something somewhere that they were the same machine. Guess that means more researching! Oh it pains me to have to dig out my magazines, books and surf the internet more for vintage airplane histories and Mystery Ship articles! Really gets the excitement up thinking that maybe Pancho's airplane might still exist!

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Blue Skies,
Dan
http://www.flytoanothertime.com

I was in Tullahoma in 2000 and the red and black airplane was there but the pilot was ill so it didnt fly.
20+ Staggerwings on the airport made up for that though.

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"Hindsight is usually 20% off!"

here is a picture of the Willard Benedict replica as it was getting close to completion.
I received a letter from Willard with many photos of the aircraft during construction, including this one.
he was very passionate about the airplane, I am not sure if he ever saw it complete.
By all accounts it was a real work of art.



Here is the Younkin replica, currently being flown by his Grandson, ( son of Bobby) who is doing airshows in it?? anyone seen it fly?



and here is a photo of the original in the Chicago museum, very hard to get a good photo of this one, too bad it is hanging.