Steve Nelson wrote:
Quote:
i road in the sandusky ohio based island airlines tin goose in 1976...it crashed on the ice in 1977. i think kermit weeks has it now.
I also got my first airplane ride on N7584, also in 1976 (although it was in Michigan.) She did crash the following year, but I don't think it was on the ice. The plane was rebuilt in Kalamazoo and returned to service, but Island Airlines went bust shortly thereafter. N7584 was purchased by Al Chaney, who barnstormed her around the country during the 80s. Kermit Weeks eventually acquired the plane, but it was nearly destroyed when it's hangar was blown down by a hurricane. Mr. Weeks shipped the carcass to Maurice Hovious, who specializes in rebuilding Ford Tri-motors. Mr. Hovious has been slowly rebuilding the plane for the past ten or fifteen years at his facility in Vicksburg, Michigan..about a half-hour up the road from me. He moved his operation into a much bigger building a few years ago..actually an abandoned paper mill. I keep meaning to get over there and check it out.
SN
Capt Al became good friends with us. The TIN GOOSE was FWF all N3N so it was like 3 of them in TIGHT formation!!. When he made his fla swoops during the winter months, we would help him out giving rides.
I got to ride right seat from N.Perry to Seabring Fl and Capt Al signed my log book!
What a tough airplane!
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Long Live the N3N-3 "The Last US Military Bi-Plane" 1940-1959
Badmouthing Stearmans on WIX since 2005
