Need help researching history on AT-11 N4001A

[Chappie]

I am currently researching the history of a pair of Beech 18s that are operated by a local ag pilot. One of the aircraft is Beechcraft AT-11, USAAF #42-10384, and carried registration N4001A. This aircraft was operated by Aero Service Corporation from June 1956 through March 1964. In October 1959 it was extensively modified to an aerial survey aircraft.

My research took me to Ruud Leeuw's website where I saw alot of good information about Aero but not much on the AT-11s. PDF copies of Aero's newsletters "Prop Wash" talk alot about AT-11 including one that says they "operated in virtually every country in the Middle and Far East regions of the world, but again no specifics on which aircraft flew where.

In June 1964 the aircraft was converted to a spray aircraft by Chris D. Stoltzfus & Associates and remains in that configuration today. I'm currently in touch with the two companies above plus a third not mentioned in an attempt to locate information and photos of this aircraft and maybe even people who may have flown for these companies.

To increase my odds I turn to the World Wide Web of WIX. Are there any WIXers that know someone or has a friend that knows someone who worked for Aero Service Corporation (Keystone Aerial Surveys) or Chris Stoltzfus & Associates (Dynamic Aviation). I'm hoping to unearth long forgotten photos of this aircraft to share with the current owner. Better yet I'd like to find a pilot or mechanic that was associated with the aircraft that could tell me in what exotic locales this AT-11 operated.

Thanks ya'll
Chappie

[mike furline]

You could try to contact this photographer.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34076827@N00/4695370784/

Unless there's a typo, it looks like 42-10384 was assigned to a P-40K.
http://www.accident-report.com/Serials/1942f.htm

[WallyB]

Unless there's a typo, it looks like 42-10384 was assigned to a P-40K.

It was. The AT-11 is ex-43-10384.

[Chappie]

Yes that is a typo, it is '43.

Thanks for the link Mike, but I already have that photo. It was with Chris Stoltzfus by that time. I'll keep digging.


Chappie

[mancam1957]

This is probably old information. I am a former pilot with Aero Service Corp who owned N4001A from 58 to 64. Aero did operate several AT-11's. It has been a real challenge to sort out which aircraft were used where. I and a few other old employees have put together a website in an effort to try and figure out some of the history of the company. You might find it interesting: http://nsdbproject.com We would certainly look forward to any information that you might wish to share as well.
Ed

[Chappie]

Hello Ed. Check your inbox, I just sent a PM.

I've found more info on the AT-11s ops with ASC. I photographed a large logbook that ag outfit had in their hangar. It looks as though Zero One Alpha spent most of its ASC career in New England. Once Stoltzfus purchased it and converted it to a mosquito sprayer it spent several months here in southern Delaware fighting the mosquito menace.

Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to bring the story of these two Beeches to the readers of Warbird Digest, since the outfit never shows sustained interest in a photo flight. Shame cause both aircraft have interesting histories.

I'd still like to speak with you though. My contact information is in the PM.

Chappie

[Warbirdnerd]

Geoff Goodall has some info on 42-10384 here:
http://www.goodall.com.au/beech18-produ ... part-1.pdf

[BuzzBy]

Chappie,
Very cool, as its one of only a handful of AT-11s that still fly,
Here are the pics I had of her..


Photo by Robert O'Dell, PA, Sept 1964


I believe this is Chris Stoltzfus with a family sprayer.


Earlier this year at Blackhawk for an annual.

Please fill us in on any other history you find out.

Thanks,
John

Last edited by BuzzBy on Mon Dec 08, 2014 2:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[BuzzBy]

From Joe Baugher:

10384 (3806 AMS/3801 AMG) damaged in landing accident at Maxwell AB,
AL Jul 19, 1951.

From Geoff Goodall:

[Chappie]

John,

I have that Robert O'Dell photo already. Is that actually Zero One Alpha in the second photo? I've gathered a good history since my initial post, hopefully I'll get an A2A flight at some point.

I have attached a history of another of the Joe Hudson Beeches, an AT-7 that sits atop a pole over a go-kart track in Rehoboth Beach. Enjoy.
HARD LUCK BEECH


Beechcraft AT-7 Navigator USAAF #42-43506 (c/n 4309) rolled off the Wichita production line on February 6, 1943 and delivered to the 729th Navigation Training Squadron at Selman Army Airfield, Louisiana two days later. In the pre-dawn hours of February 15, 1944 ‘506 was involved in its first accident on a dark cold morning at Lubbock AAF, Texas. 2nd Lieutenant Burton Conrade was taxiing ‘506 behind three running AT-7s when the right wing of his aircraft struck the left engine of a fourth AT-7 (USAAF #42-56773), operated by 2nd Lt. John Danhof. In the accident report Lt Conrade stated, “There was a strong propeller blast from the three ships, which took my attention so that I was unaware of the nearness of ship No. 42-56773.” Sergeant Theo Pullen witnessed the accident and quickly ran to where the two AT-7s were entangled and used his flashlight to signal both pilots to shut down their engines. Fortunately no one was injured in the accident, but the damage to ‘506 was substantial enough that the entire right wing had to be replaced.

On October 30, 1945, ‘506 was involved in a landing accident at Selman. On this day the aircraft was flown by Captain Charles H. Imschwieler and 2nd Lt Joe D. Stautamoyer. According to both pilots a normal full flap landing was made, but when the tail wheel touched down the right wheel came off. The landing gear strut dug into the runway and the aircraft swung approximately 45 degrees to the right before grinding to a halt.

The Beech was repaired once again and continued its service until deemed surplus at Hill AFB, Utah in October 1954. In February 1957 the aircraft was placed on the U.S. Register as C-18S N6401C. In November 1961, Irwin Hays of Homestead, Florida purchased the Beech as an agricultural & pest control aircraft. On October 7, 1964, while operating out of Marathon Airport, Florida on anti-mosquito missions, another C-18S taxied into and damaged the parked Zero One Charlie.

In July 1969, the AT-7 was purchased by Joseph R Hudson, a locally well-known Ag pilot from Milton, Delaware. Joe continued to operate the aircraft in the anti-mosquito role until the spring of 1976 when it was involved in its fourth and final accident. Allen Chorman took off from Eagle Crest-Hudson Airport near Milton, Delaware, when he retracted the landing gear the chain broke. This caused the left landing gear leg hanging loose and the right gear stuck halfway down. Allen made an expert emergency landing at Sussex County Airport in nearby Georgetown, Delaware, which resulted in very little damage to the aircraft. Today, Chorman still shakes his head in disbelief about how the aircraft was recovered. The crew that recovered the Beech were not familiar with aircraft so they dragged the Beech off the runway by its tail causing substantial damage to the landing gear. The hard luck Beech sat in a corner of the airport and eventually stripped of its engines and other parts to keep Hudson’s AT-11 and JRB-4 airworthy.

Today, the aircraft sits atop a pole at Midway Speedway Park in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware to attract tourists to its go-kart tracks and putt-putt golf courses. This not where most warbird enthusiasts would like to see a historic aircraft, but given its past history maybe it’s safer up there.


Chappie