Warbird Information Exchange

Went down to Hendersonville, NC today to check out this event, which I found out about on the EAA Calendar. I also used it as an excuse to check out the Western North Carolina Aviation Museum.

The WNCAM has a nice small collection of antique and civilian aircraft. Highlights for me were the Aeronca C-2 "Bathtub" and the Curtiss Robin. They also had a nice J-5, a recently restored Heath Parasol and some other neat aircraft.

The fly-in turnout was pretty decent. Unfortunately, the spotty mountain weather today kept away a lot of aircraft but there were still around 8-10 Cubs on the field including two in hangars. In addition to several other antiques and classics hangared at Hendersonville, a few other nice antiques showed up.

The WNCAM is also hosting its "Just Plane Fun" event June 2-3 and a fly-in Labor Day Weekend in conjunction with the Apple Blossom Festival if anyone is in the area and would like to attend.

First, some photos of the WNCAM aircraft:





This is the second oldest C-2 in existence:



A very rare Curtiss Robin:



A pony to anyone who can guess what this project aircraft is:



The Heath Parasol is insurance and paperwork away from being a flyer.



Some of the Cub action:















Some of the other antiques and classics that flew in:











And a couple of the airport residents:

kalamazookid wrote:A pony to anyone who can guess what this project aircraft is:

Looks like someday that will be a Stampe again.

-Tim

Love finding smaller museums like this as they don't take themselves so seriously. Looks like a nice collection of good looking, well loved aircraft-nice find!!

Tiger Tim wrote:

kalamazookid wrote:A pony to anyone who can guess what this project aircraft is:

Looks like someday that will be a Stampe again.

-Tim

Yep! I think it's next in line after they finish refurbishing a 1941 Taylorcraft E2.

Great photos Matt!

Is the first Cub a J2? It appears to have a Continental A-40 in it.

Does the Curtiss Robin have a Curtiss Challenger up front?

-Paul

AvroAvian wrote:Great photos Matt!

Is the first Cub a J2? It appears to have a Continental A-40 in it.

Does the Curtiss Robin have a Curtiss Challenger up front?

-Paul

Yes, the first one is a 1936 J-2. I'm not sure whether it's flyable or not- the museum keeps several aircraft in flying condition but are not flown. The J-2 definitely appears airworthy, but I don't know the condition of the structure. I'll ask about it next time I'm down there.

The Robin is powered by a Continental R-670. I'd be curious to know how many Curtiss Challenger-powered Robins there are around, flying or static. I don't know much about engines, but from what I understand it's a very rare powerplant.

Thanks for looking!