Photo Album

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Wow. That's all I can say.

Survival is another. Lots of us in the lower 48, east of the Mississippi, and north of the Mason-Dixon don't give survival much thought when we venture out to play. OK to be more specific those of us east of the Schuylkill, west of the Delaware, north of the Mason-Dixon and South of the Poconos don't give survival much thought unless you count thinking how your going to miss a house if you have to put down.

I'm always amazed when I think of wide variety of terrain and wilderness folks fly over and into. Routine for them, scary for a lot of us.

[Forrest Walton]

Russ Farris and I have been cleaning up a 1957 172. Russ just finish repainting. Thought you might enjoy some pictures.

1957 Original Paint

Russ Farris

New Paint

New Paint

[jrenwick]

I've always thought the original paint scheme on those early 172s was one of the prettiest I've ever seen. It never looks dated to me. Glad you chose to preserve it -- what a lovely airplane!

[GAHorn]

Hey, Russ!

Is that the new uniform @ work?

[busav8or]

Hey Forrest,

I think I saw a dull spot on tail! Better climb back up there and get that F7 after it!!!

Joe (you know I'm kidding AND jealous...looks great)!

[bagarre]

I really do like that paint scheme. It's one of my favorites.
But they just look so funny with their tail stuck up in the air like that.
You should but some extra weight in the baggage compartment to fix that

[russfarris]

George, that's my standard warm weather uniform anytime I'm not near the kerosene-burners. I've been accused of sqeezing "informal" until it begs for mercy!

Russ Farris

[cessna170bdriver]

I recently got a notice from the state of California that they're cutting the corners off my membership card because I don't own a pair of flip-flops. Never could stand having anything between my toes other than maybe some cool mud...

[mike roe]

Two good reasons its taking so long to finish the 170.

[russfarris]

Mike - Nice looking Stinson - is it a 108-1 or 2? You get bonus points for the wing NC numbers! I had a straight 108 back in the early 1990s.
The Stinson is a great old airplane, very well designed and manufactured. Russ Farris

[mike roe]

Russ
Its a 108-1 with the 150 Franklin. This plane is about 95% factory original. One of about 150 painted yellow from the factory. It only has 880 TT. They are great planes. Very stable in flight.

[Bill Hart]

Here is a shot of my auto pilot.

[GAHorn]

...The Stinson is a great old airplane, very well designed and manufactured. Russ Farris

...once you get used to feeling like you're sitting in a bucket that wallows around.
Well-built...but poor flight-control geometry (compared to similar-vintage Cessnas.)

[russfarris]

Gosh, George I'm a big fan of Cessna, but my personal experience with the Stinson 108 was excellent. The flight controls are mounted on ball bearings and it has noticabley smoother handling than the 170. The ailerons in particular are a delight, totally effective right down to the stall and beyond...because of the slots. Maybe you flew the 108-3 big tail, which I never have. I consider the 108 to be a delightful flying airplane, just the usual rudder coordination in the turns the only real demand, same as a Cessna. The suberb flying qualities of the 108 are it's best feature!
Yes, I loved the 170 more, but handling wasn't the reason...but what do I know, I'm an Airbus pilot Russ Farris

P.S. The airplanes I never much cared for are the short wing Pipers - Pacer, Tri-Pacer and Colt. They don't fly all that great, and glide like
streamlined bricks.

[mike roe]

George
I think if you do your research you will find out how much Cessna thought of the Stinson. They used it for comparing the 170 design to see if it was up to snuff. Its not a 170 and then again the 170 isnt the Stinson. Both have good points and bad. The aircraft is near 65 years old and has 3 ad's. And they have been taken care of years ago. They must have done something right.