CURTISS HAWK P-6e

[vanguard]

I know RALPH ROSANIK donated his HAWK to the EAA. But did he or someone else ever fly it before the donation? And is he still alive?

[bdk]

I know RALPH ROSANIK donated his HAWK to the EAA. But did he or someone else ever fly it before the donation? And is he still alive?

Don't think it flew, think he died.

[Forgotten Field]

I got Ralph's book, and everybody here who comments about preserving things should read it. Ralph spent himself into the ground and put his livelihood on the line several times to realize his dream of flying a P6. He had the dream from when he was a kid and he spent his life fulfilling it. Along the way, he wound up saving a signifigant number of warbirds and antiques, as well as getting his P6 mostly complete. The book is great because it shows some photos of Army aircraft boneyards circa 1938, which is very neat to look at. I lent the book to some one who never gave it back to me and don't have the name of the title off hand. Can somebody help? Must read for those passionate about finding, restoring, and flying vintage aircraft...

[Dan K]

Book is called "The Search for a Rare Bird."

[vanguard]

I have read his book. I would really like to know how the story ended. In the book he says he is going to fly the airplane in MAY of 1993. All I know is the airplane was donated to the EAA. Someone must know what happened from the end of the book to the donation of the airplane.

[Dan K]

I'm almost positive I've seen video of it taxiing under its own power at OSH in the early '90's--same year that all the P-47's gathered (Was it '93?). I guess I had always assumed it had flown in.

Give this a little time--we'll get to the bottom of it.

[ww2John]

The EAA AirVenture Museum web site indicates this aircraft is on display but not in flying status. I know this does not answer your question.

http://www.airventuremuseum.org/collect ... #P229_1695

Suggest you contact Sue Lurvey at the museum for more information about their P6E (check the web site for contact information or contact me directly off-board). Ms Lurvey is the person I worked with when writing entries about their aircraft collection for their web site.

[CH2Tdriver]

I located my copy of the March 1994 issue of Airpower that featured the P-6. There are some nice pics of it in the center and also includes one of it taxiing at OSH. The article also ends with mentioning that it would soon be flown.

Peter B