Warbird Information Exchange

Hi,
Glad my posting was of interest. The details come from data accrued over the years from various sources, but particularly in this instance from the RCAF record card, some RAF pilots log books and one of the owners.

A photo of, then freshly restored, Cornell 10618, N103JC appeared in the British journal, "Aeroplane Monthly" just ten years ago. One of the Cornell trained WW.2 RAF veterans with whom I was corresponding at the time proudly annouced that was one of "his" Cornells and sent photocopies from his RCAF log book to prove it. Checking the copies of several other RAF pilots trained at Assiniboia confirmed the link and I wrote to the owner forwarding the information. Copies of the RCAF record cards and unit records were obtained during a visit to Ottawa the following year.

Someone asked how many were currently active on one of the Fairchild forums several months ago and none us were able to suggest a figure. It is easy enough to count the number of currently assigned registrations using the FAA site or AirportData.com, but how many of these are active is another matter. I approached the owner (or at least his son) of a currently registered Howard-built PT-23 for some information recently, only to be told the machine had been scrapped forty-odd years ago! The FAA clear out the "deadwood" every so often but in reality it is up to the owner to report or confirm an aircraft's demise.

Yes, I have information on a few other surviving Fairchild PTs.

AFAIK, various neccesary manuals, etc., are available. The Fairchild Club forum or Yahoo Fairchild PT19and26 forum would be a good place to enquire - also Steve Dennis and Tulio who post on WIX occasionally would be able to point you in the right direction.
Hope this helps, Tony

Hello Henning,

As our good friend Tony mentioned, I do have all of the manuals and most of the drawings for the Fairchild PT's. If there is anything I can help you with, please let me know.

Steve

Here's a shot I took of it at the show. Mark Denest (who, along with his father Joe restored it) was piloting the aeroplane that weekend. He told me that the aeroplane is presently up for sale.


Here's a shot I took of it shortly after it was restored back in the late '90s:

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Flying a plane is no different from riding a bicycle. It's just a lot harder to put baseball cards in the spokes.

Thanks Spitfire, I thought that looked like Mark flying in the photo that August posted.

Not to stray off topic too far (sorry Henning), but do you have any pics of the silver PT parked behind the Cornell in your first pic?

Thanks,

Steve

The silver PT-23? I have a static shot I can post later if you want.

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Share your story: Rutgers Oral History Archive http://oralhistory.rutgers.edu/

Yep, that would be great! Just wondering if it is Mel Glick's. Thanks for the offer.

Steve

Here you go Steven.

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Share your story: Rutgers Oral History Archive http://oralhistory.rutgers.edu/

Many thanks TAdan! That's the one I was thinking of.

Here are some of the restoration photos taken about twelve years ago. I think it took about one year and a few months.

Mark D

Welcome to WIX, Mark.

And might I add: Excellent first post!

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

Here's a few of Bob Tullius's

New fire wall

Thanks Dan

I have been lurking around for some time now

Hey, about time you quit lurking.

Did you get that flap wiggled out of that fuselage frame yet? Those guys that haul that stuff around can't be trusted to do the job right you know....

Steve

FYI, and only because it hasn't been said here yet, Mark and Joe Dinest are two fine people. Mark and Joe have been helpful to me in numerous ways, are generous in sharing their experience, and are very nice to spend time with. Mark is working on a BT-13 project right now, and from what I have seen, it is probably going to become THE standard for BT-13's. Joe builds Ranger engines, and his rebuilds have been flown thousands of hours- he absolutely stands behind his work. If you have an opportunity to see their work, or to talk to them, I definitely recommend it.

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REMEMBER THE SERGEANT PILOTS!

Yep....What John said.

The Denest's are some of the finest people in the warbird industry.

Steve