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New Curtiss Jenny restoration airborne
Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2016 5:35 pm
by Baldeagle
First flight in probably 98 years was on December 3 in South Carolina. This photo from December 7

The aircraft was restored by the Wright Experience in Virginia, seen here on initial assembly, with a 1951 Hudson Pacemaker parked alongside.

"Antiqued" photo of some of the restoration crew. The insignia is the "Bitch Kitty" of the 46th Aero Squadron, the color scheme of the airplane is based on the NASM example at Udvar Hazy.

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Re: New Curtiss Jenny restoration airborne
Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2016 6:04 pm
by DH82EH
That's fantastic. Congrats!
Shame to see it parked beside a "modern" car though
I assume it is OX5 powered, no?
Looks great. What's it like to fly?
Andy
Re: New Curtiss Jenny restoration airborne
Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2016 7:57 pm
by Pogo
Oh my ... how I'd love to see more of this beauty! (hint hint)
Re: New Curtiss Jenny restoration airborne
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 9:38 am
by Baldeagle
Yup OX-5 powered.
I tell people that a Jenny flies like a Stearman at half throttle with only one aileron connected and the stick stuck in a bucket of molasses. It's pretty stable, doesn't tend to deviate much from straight and level, though if it does it won't come back on its own, you have to bring it back. In more than a shallow turn it wants to keep banking and you have to hold opposite aileron to keep it from banking steeper. Lots of drag, and not a lot of power, so you have to be careful to not get slow in a turn, or try to climb too steep, let the wings fly the airplane, not the engine. The Hispano Suiza powered ones are obviously much better performers and less of a worry about getting slow. As a framework on the world it's fantastic, rigging cables and struts everywhere, the rockers on the OX jumping up and down up front, great big old instruments on the dashboard, and a great sound. When you pull the throttle back you really get the wind in the wires sound from all of those stranded cables.

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Re: New Curtiss Jenny restoration airborne
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 10:14 am
by Pogo
Fantastic -- love the description!! I feel very fortunate to be able to say I've spent lots of time with, and flown in, an OX-5 Jenny. Well, a Canuck in our case.
Hate to sound like a broken record ... no I don't ... more pictures ... more pictures ... more pictures ... more pictures...

Re: New Curtiss Jenny restoration airborne
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 3:52 pm
by DH82EH
Thanks for the description. Gives a good visualization.
Sounds like a lot of fun for sure.
Fly safe all!
Andy
Re: New Curtiss Jenny restoration airborne
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2016 11:05 am
by Baldeagle
Re: New Curtiss Jenny restoration airborne
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2016 11:16 am
by Baldeagle


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Re: New Curtiss Jenny restoration airborne
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2016 12:58 pm
by Pogo
Fannn-TASTIC!! Thanks a bunch, Baldeagle, she's beautiful!!

Re: New Curtiss Jenny restoration airborne
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 8:24 pm
by JohnB
Nice work...a friend sold his long owned Cannuck 2-3 years ago to a flying museum...but I don't know if they have flown it again.
If you want more photos, I have just the auto to pose with it.

Re: New Curtiss Jenny restoration airborne
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 11:05 pm
by Baldeagle
I know the new owner of Skeeter's Canuck, and I don't think it's flown in PA yet, but is getting a newly overhauled OX-5 this winter and will fly in 2017.
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