World's Oldest Flying Cessna airborne again

I had the distinct privilege of ferrying the world's oldest flying Cessna from Poplar Grove, IL to its new home at the Eagles Mere Air Museum last week, a trip of about 9 1/2 flying hours spread over two days. This aircraft, a 1928 Cessna AW, was restored by Gar Williams and was Grand Champion at both Oshkosh and the AAA fly-in at Blakesburg in 1981, still the only airplane to accomplish that feat as far as I know. I thought there might be some interest in photos of the 'plane, so will post some here.

At Poplar Grove with the Thomas' Waco SRE
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...W/IMG_0522.jpg





Poplar Grove
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...W/IMG_0519.jpg


Rear view at Wynkoop Airport, Ohio
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...W/IMG_0540.jpg

Some of these are a bit over exposed, here is the open rocker 110 Warner engine
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...W/IMG_0523.jpg

Two views of the tail
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...W/IMG_0539.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...W/IMG_0534.jpg


and the emblem
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...W/IMG_0530.jpg

Cockpit door, pretty small
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...W/IMG_0538.jpg

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And some cockpit details
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...W/IMG_0535.jpg

The left stick grip was loose so I took it off for the trip so it didn't come off inadvertantly
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...W/IMG_0541.jpg

Trim lever on the far side of the cockpit
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...W/IMG_0537.jpg

and compass on the spar behind your head. It originally had a reverse printed card and was read with a mirror over the instrument panel
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...W/IMG_0524.jpg

Cruise was about 90 mph running the Warner at an easy 1675 rpm. Brakes are from a 1925 Ford Model T and just barely work, which is OK. The tailskid does most of the slowing, and the brakes are mostly used only to help turn around at the end of the landing roll. Ailerons are frise type and work well, while the rudder is too small and needs to use quite a bit of travel to be effective. Quite a fascinating trip and thanks to Gar Williams and George Jenkins for making my part in it possible

With that complex of an instrument panel, it should require two pilots. :) Seriously, it looks like a fun ride. 90 MPH is not shabby at all!

I wish I woulda known this was leaving Poplar...I would have come up to see it leave. Awesome airplane...:cool:

Beautiful. Thanks for posting these photos Andrew.

Awesome! Thanks Andrew.

Some great video thanks to Steve Thomas at Poplar Grove:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2j4qsCV_24

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2j4qsCV_24

Wow. That was a fantastic video...very nostalgic feeling.

Awesome! Thanks for posting the pictures and video link.

Andrew, have you ever read the Neil Williams book that has his account of flying, or trying to fly the oldest flying airplane of any type in England, thnik it is the 1912 Blackburn if I recall correctly? It is informative and funny, a long way removed from what we know of as modern aviation.

Oh wow, most awesome. Most excellent.

Thank you very much for sharing the story and the photos!

Cessna sure liked that big fat cantilever wing. carried up to the 190/195.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tom Downey

Cessna sure liked that big fat cantilever wing. carried up to the 190/195.

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.......and the Cardinal, a beautiful design I'd like to see Cessna bring back into production.