PT-19 find in Idaho

[flyboyid]

Has anybody heard of this? I'd love to know where exactly they found it. I figured scenarios like this would be all but history now

Courtesy: KTVB.com

"WWII plane buffs find rare aircraft in Idaho, plan to restore it

11:24 AM MST on Monday, December 18, 2006

Associated Press

PINE BLUFF, Ark. -- Three years ago, a national group called the Commemorative Air Force, formerly known as the Confederate Air Force, decided that a Fairchild PT-19 that it owned that was based at Pine Bluff, Arkansas should be based instead at Midland, Texas.

That began a search by members of the Razorback Experimental Aviation Association for a replacement PT-19.

The PT-19 was the plane used at the Pine Bluff School of Aviation, one of the Army Air Corps' largest primary flight schools during World War Two.

Members of the local group didn't want Pine Bluff to be without one.

In April, they found one hidden away in a dusty, old, cobweb-covered hangar in Idaho, where it had been for more than 40 years, and six members of the group bought it.

They paid $10,000 for the plane, and $2,000 to have it moved to Arkansas.

Now, the plane's owners are working to restore the aircraft so it can fly again. And a lot of work is needed.

One of the owners, Glenn Bell, says a family of woodchucks had taken up residence in the wings of the airplane where it sat in the hangar in Idaho.

Clarence Rittelmeyer, a retired surgeon and aircraft mechanic, spends at least four hours a day, five days a week working on the plane.

But he says it'll be two years before the plane gets into the air again."

[DSmith]

Why couldn't I have found it?

[L. Thompson]

Here are some guesses (taken from the FAA Registry):

N58805
s/n FW906
ARTHUR R. THOMPSON
EMMETT ID
1943 Model M-62A
Status Revoked
Engine Model 6-440 SERIES
A/W Date None


N59461
s/n T43-5337
RAY G. TIBBITTS MOORE, IDAHO
was registered as Model M-62A
Status Revoked
Engine Model 6-440 SERIES
A/W Date None


N53356
s/n FC-204
1943 Model M-62A-3
Status Revoked
HOPKINS GERALD V. HOPKINS
BUHL, ID
Engine Model 6-440 SERIES
A/W Date None

53288
T-42-1491
Certificate Issue Date 01/30/1964
EUGENE O. FRANK
A/W Date 08/02/1955
see here:
http://www.radialengines.com/aircraft_p ... index.html

Fairchild M62A (PT-26) N53288 s/n T-42-1491
This 1942 Fairchild PT-26 is one of more than 1700 PT-26s that were produced for the Army Air Force. This aircraft is mostly complete and original. The wings are removed and appear to be in good condition. The aircraft experienced a hard landing that damaged the center section in the location where the landing gear bolts up. The Ranger 6-440-C2 is present and looks complete. For Sale for: $12,000

The sale of the Gene Frank collection also had a Fairchild PT-19 (N56110 s/n T41-1151) that "was converted to a Weatherly crop duster with a R985 Pratt & Whitney engine. The wood wings and center section were discarded and replaced with metal wings and center section. The aircraft is presently disassembled and missing its engine and propeller. $5,000"

[Steven M. Dennis]

Glen, Clarence, and the gang bought the PT-19 project from Gene Frank's big collection. As noted by L. Thompson, it is N53288 C/N T42-1491 (incorrectly listed as a PT-26 because of the "mis-leading" Rawdon Canopy)

Clarence and the gang have done some great work on the old gal to date.

Hope this helps.....

Steve

[Tulio]

I have spoken with Mr. David Johnson, who is now with the EAA group in Arkansas (they used to be with the CAF, but decided to leave the organization).

For those interested, I have Mr. Johnson's telephone number.

They are selling a DVD with old airplane photos, to help on the restoration of their PT-19.

Saludos,


Tulio