NC17026 C/N 225 Restoration Help Requested

[Karl D. Engelskirger]

Greetings, we brought home17026 today, and it is safely roosting in the shop, nestled in between Mike and Ike, and my Pete replica. As soon as Ike is airworthy, we will undertake the restoration of the Porterfield. Our goal is to take the airplane back to dead stock original. My brief research trip across the web has yielded not much in the documentation department, present site excluded, and I was wondering if anybody out there is in possession of any original factory manuals, pictures, drawings, or prints that they may be willing to share. I am specifically interested in an erection/parts manual, interior documentation, placarding, and instrument panel layouts, however, anything 35-70 related would be of benefit. At this point, we are basically starting from scratch in our efforts to assemble a 35-70 specific technical library, so any leads would be hugely appreciated.

The little that I have been able to uncover about this airframe has been quite interesting, to say the least. I know that the airplane was ordered by a gentleman in Columbus, Ohio, and it was delivered with a compass, lights, a tailwheel, dual brakes, a speed ring, and it was painted white and trimmed in light blue. Anybody know which compass Porterfields were equipped with in 1936? How about the shade of Porterfield's light blue or tailwheel type. I know it sounds a little over the top, but my antique airplane OCD kicks in, and I can't help myself.

I am sure that my wish list is just as long as everybody else's, but if the aviation Gods should ever look down upon me favorably, I am in need of another set of 18x8x3 tires, an airworthy Fahlin prop, a decent fuel tank, and probably a dozen airframe and Engine parts that I need, but don't know about.

Thank you in advance for any help they anyone may be able to pass my way.

Karl Engelskirger

[Andy Gelston]

Joe Rankin has all the drawings, and most of them are still legible.  However, in the past there have been some unappreciative restorers who took up a lot of Joe's time with drawing requests, only to stiff him for his time, the printing costs, and the postage.

If you make it clear to him that you're looking to buy drawings from him, and know what drawings you need, he'll be much more receptive to your request.  He has an aircraft repair/maintenance business that keeps him busy, housed, clothed, and fed.  The Porterfield venture is just a sideline that has pretty low priority for him, thanks to the above mentioned flakes and opportunists.

Soft landings,  Andy

[Karl D. Engelskirger]

Thank you very much for the info. We ran into the same issue when we did our UPF, too many opportunists who took advantage of the information sources early on. I would like to think that if you can afford the plane, you can afford the time of those helping you out. I will drop him a line, and see what we can work out.

Best regards,

Karl