Andy Gelston's Comments

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.

That'd be a twofer. Never flown a Porterfield. Never flown off of skis! That would be super fun! If I have an open weekend (with a 5 month old baby, those are tough to find!) I'll let you know! Thanks very much for the invite. 

Thanks Andy! Lucky for me I'm under 180 and just a hair under 6 feet tall. Maybe I'll get up to see 41VermonT one of these days. 

Sounds great - I will stop by sometime in the next few days.  I have a friend visiting who has flown Werner Griesbeck's bird in BC.  So he can show me which is the front and which is the back.

"Andy - my apologies for a tardy (understated) response . But I am still interested in trying 41 VT on for size - any chance a day next week would work?""Andy - my apologies for a tardy (understated) response . But I am still interested in trying 41 VT on for size - any chance a day next week would work?"

Hello Andy,

I would love to "supplement" the Bonanza with a Porterfield. I like old cars (63 Studebaker Lark), old trucks (78 Dodge D-100), old motorcycles (82 Goldwing, 67 Triumph), old airplanes (53 Bo) probably because I was born in 52 ( although I don't consider myself old...that "old" bar gets moved up as we age), and have a special appreciation for old yet useful things that were well crafted when they first were built. Plus, I believe having these old machines are of no use if we don't use them. So, all of these vehicles get used and maintained since, I believe, their useful life is not over with. And I enjoy the fact that in a modern cookie cutter society, these vehicles not only allow me to enjoy yesterday today, they have an identity all their own. A Porterfield would fit very well into that mode of thinking. Something to think about.

Thanks for the encouragement,

Jim

Hey Andy! Say, is there any place I can get a complete plan or drawing set, while I keep an eye out for the right project and save $?? Thanks!

Thanks Andy!  I'm still snooping through the site art this point.  Where are folks finding drawings, etc?  And are most parts needing to be fabricated more so that finding spares?

Hi Andy - a pleasure to meet you!  That local Porterfield sold a week after it was posted.  That's OK - I'm in no hurry at all, with other projects to finish first, but I'll save my pennies and keep an eye out.  As far as being a tight fit, I'm a short guy at 5' 4ish but pushing 200.  Does that make me too heavy?  Also I was wondering about the scope of a Porterfield restoration, as opposed to other planes:  comparable in time and skill and $ as, say Piper's? Much harder, and really for seasoned restorers and not beginning ones? etc.  Sorry - lots and lots of questions!

Im interested in the historic role of the Porterfeld as chase plane and filming platform for the 1st manned rocket flight (Ercoupe) at March Air Field in September 1941.

The pilot who made the flight was a good friend, Captain Homer Boushey who at the time worked at Wright Field. Would value any information from anyone as to exact model of Porterfield, engine type, manuals for the type, prop, markings et al. 

I would like to find a Porterfield with the exact specs. as the one used (there is footage showing it) to purchase and re-enact this historic event.  If your club owner/operators could educate me on that exact model that would be fantastic.

Thank you all for keeping aviation history alive.

All the best-

Bradley