Andy Gelston's Page

That Porterfield for sale in Kansas is in a Facebook Airplanes For Sale Group. Doing research on it is what led me to your group. I won't be able to act on anything until Spring at the earliest. Looks like a sweet plane at a good price though.

Small world about the Starlite for sure! I didn't berlong to the Yahoo group. There was another Starlite owner about 40 miles away from me and we always got together at fly-ins around Tennessee. I was not the original builder of mine. I acquired it from a guy who bought it from the builder (who was afraid to fly it) and then promptly ground looped it, collapsing the gear, which drove a wheel through the right wing and hit a runway light with the left wing leading edge.  You, of course, know how close coupled the controls were and you just cannot get heavy handed or heavy footed with a Starlite on the ground. I traded a 1980 Cadillac Eldorado for it, put it back together and had a ball flying it. As you know, Starlites always draw a crowd wherever they go. I took it to Sun 'N Fun twice and eventually sold it to get the Champ.

As for the Starduster, I did not build that one either. The turtledeck (aka 'storage area') was fiberglass. It was a dream to fly and one of the best landing taildraggers I ever flew. But I outgrew it (weight-wise) too quickly.  At 210# I could barely get my hips in and out of the cockpit opening and a parachute was definitely out of the question. My lifelong dream was to own and fly a Stearman. The Starduster was as close as I ever got. No matter. It always put a smile on my face.

I'm looking forward to learning more about the Porterfield from you and your members. Thanks again for adding me.

Thanks for the welcome, Andy. I'm more interested in a flight worthy A/C rather than rebuilding. Just looking for now. My center of gravity has "shifted" significantly since my days with the Starlite and Starduster.  I'm 5'10 but close to 250#. I can handle close quarters at the controls. Just concerned about CG problems at this weight. The Porterfield caught my eye due to its close appearance to my Aeronca. This is the first I've ever heard of a Porterfield.

The Fleet is a Model 7B, N174RS. 

Thanks for the add. 

Luigi

Hello Andy

We just found a couple old planes in the backwoods of Louisiana( a 42 PT26 and a Porterfield. They have been taken apart and stored in various sheds, barns and old cars. I found the serial id tag in the back of a 59 Edsel wagon, the wings stored in the rafters of an old barn... Still searching the jungle for the rest of it( engine ,cowl etc) 

I need help to id which plane i have. The wheels are dated 1937, id tag 36-70, august 1938, serial # 337

Will post pics soon. 

Thanks Dick Nelson

Hi Andy thanx for the reply note... funnily enough I knew Doug Sales quite well in the mid to late 60's as we used to hang out together And have been to many of the Hot air ballon shows in Hamilton.. but on another matter on the 2nd page of the groups photos there are  4 pix of 3 Porterfieds labelled Red White & Blue.You wouldnt have the "N" number of the lite blue (taking off) one would you as thats the color I have used on the model I am building!! If you know it  I will put it on my model......Thanx a lot...Regards Al Wqrd..NZ

Hello Andy.   The skinny bird I just acquired is a CP-65,  very good shape but hasn't flown since 09.  Lewis Mitchell owned this aircraft for many years here in TX. Lewis is a WWll vet and retired from a flying job with the FAA.  He is 95 now.  I've been running this plane off and on for him for the last 3 years and will fly it soon.  I'll send pics. bo case rhome tx

Thank you for the add Andy. I have recently acquired NC37716 which suffered a nose over accident. Last week I returned from Aberdeen SD where it was to St. Could Fl , where I now live. I have approx 650 hrs in my old aircraft Nc25563 ser # 641. I sold it years ago for the equity I needed for a bigger plane for a growing family. I have always have fond memories for my old airplane. I bought 255623 as a rolled over basket case , built it and learned to fly in her. I now have her sister!. NC37716 left the factory as a land or sea plane. It has EXTENSIVE documentation. I Spoke with a prior owner , James Gooding, last evening and he is ecstatic she will fly again. Ill keep you all updated on her progress as i intend to commence work on her in late summer. In the mean time, I need a copy of the fuselage drawings so I may facilitate repair of some broken and or kinked structure. Can anyone help me out? ALSO. I have LOTS of rubber biscuit shock absorbers should anyone need any. Feel free to contact me at clearprop75r@hotmail.com. 

Hi Andy, I just purchased one of these gals out of Sonoma Valley airport #816.  I haven't brought it back to Oregon just yet but I plan on visiting this site frequently and keeping up with you guys.  I will certainly share the fun stuff when it comes along! Thanks for keeping this up.