Tom Porterfield's Comments

Thank you Tom!  Good to be back aboard!

I recently purchased FP-65 SN 973, N37764 from Bruce Martin. Bruce owned this airplane for over 30 years based in Orrville OH. it was the second airplane I ever rode in. Eventually Bruce was shipped to Virginia with Volvo Truck Company and I Went to Minnesota. The Porterfield fuselage was put away in a storage unit. The wings went with Bruce to be rebuilt. Before that could happen health problems stopped Bruce's piloting. After more than 25 years In purchased the airplane and moved it all to Minnesota along with a huge inventory of Porterfield and Franklin parts. I don't know what all I have yet. So now I need to begin restoration. If that's the right word. I will need to prioritize my projects. I hope I can get it flying in the next year or two. 

Hey Tom:

I just deleted James Pollard for sending this to Steve Ahrens:

At 7:49pm on November 9, 2022, JPollard said…

Hi, I have something very vital to disclose to you,but I found it difficult to express myself here, since it's a public site.Could you please get back to me on ( mr.jamespollard01@gmail.com ) for the full details.
Thanks.

I'm going to ask Mark Mondello at ORA about him.

Andy

Hi Tom,

I was so delighted to learn that the Porterfield Club was still in existence and thriving!  I was a member back in the day and I'm so glad all of you have kept it all going all this time.   And thank you for reinstating me back into the fold!

I bought N37776, a LP65, way back in 1976 and happily flew it for several years.  In 1979 I started down the wandering road of an airline career that began at TWA and ended at United.  Along the way there were furloughs, different flying gigs, marriages, children, divorce and many moves. Life happens.  The P'field went into a hangar with its wings removed awaiting the day when my life would settle enough to permit me the enjoyment of doing a complete restoration. Years later, I'm retired, still don't have a place to tackle a restoration, years are running out but I want to get this worthy skinny bird back in the air where it belongs.

I've just started to make contact with restoration facilities with the hopes of finally getting 37776 back into the flying fold. Having drifted around this long I think it deserves a really great restoration that keeps a small piece of a prolific flying era going for years to come. 

I'm very happy to have reconnected with the group who continues to know the joy of this wonderful flying gem of an airplane.

Scott

Hi.

Thanks for reinstating me to the club.

I was a member in 2010 ish.

I have a great friend whose father collected many early airplanes and among them were 2 Porterfields . One of which  disappeared after being sent out for a restoration, where abouts unknown at this time.

The FP65 was flown through the 90's and removed from flight for restoration and currently apart and stored. 3rd one is N32428 which was sold in 2008 . It was a great flyer and I had several great flights in it.  I will send some photos of its first flights when we made it airworthy

in 2007 . It didn't need any trim adjustments during first flight. we must have adjusted everything correctly first time. { for a change}

Had excellent mechanics working with us.

I would love to hear how its doing now.

I really enjoyed that plane.

Harold ( Harry) Pfrender

Hpfrender@aol.com

Thanks Tom! Thanks for the photo!

Hi Tom! Unbelievable you recognise this plane! Originally N37733. I purchased the plane on April 30th (4 days ago) from Rob Glenn who imported it from Texas to Australia in 2011. I’m currently in the process of ferrying it home, but unfortunately the right magneto went out to lunch about half way through the journey home on the 2nd day and now I’m waiting for a Slick conversion kit to arrive from the States. Are you able to tell me anything about the plane?

Hey Tom, the FAA has it down as a "American Eaglet-Lincoln" as the manufacturer name. I'm sure a few others also have it incorrectly documented. I might start punching in some of the other N-numbers and see what they ended up as.

Tom.  Im actually a private pilot that is getting my tail wheel in a J3 as the Porterfield is a little small for me.  That said, The Porterfield is of great interest, not as much due to its namesake, but more from its rarity.  I wish I was a little smaller: 6'2" and 230!  Maybe I'll start shrining soon.  

Hi Tom,

Hope you are well.  Thanks for keeping this club going.

I need a Marvel brand carburetor with mixture control for my LP65.

If I could find a C85 with electrical system and an engine mount I'd strongly consider make the conversion.

Thanks

TJ

Hi Tom ,I attempted to add a video to the Porterfield site and and did something wrong .Can you remove them and I will try again later.

Cheers Stan Hyde

New Zealand

Tom,

I am looking for advice on how to rig the wings of my CP-65.  She is right wing heavy.  I read the assembly and rigging instructions but still need help.

Thanks for the welcome .I take delivery of the Porterfield in about three weeks and cant wait.Will send updates and question as I get to know the old bird better.

Cheers Stan Hyde

Hey Tom, 

Sorry for the late reply. My Porterfield is N27207, a 1940 CP-65. The previous owner was Earl Allen from Corning, CA. It was rebuilt in 2006 and it's a great plane to fly. I fly with the Cheap Suits Flying Club with their Cubs and it's fun when my little 65 horse can go faster than them :) I love taking this plane to events to put it on display. Everyone knows the Cub but not many know the Porterfield series. 

-Craig

thanks

hello Tom,

T. J. Neff here. I have a 1941 LP65. I desparately need a self started or and engine mount to convert to a Continental 85 or ??

Any leads/

TJ

Tom,

Sorry I have not gotten back with you.

Thanks for letting me be apart of the Porterfield club.

Well it looks like winter is here in Ohio. Time to hide in the shop for the winter. I have big plans to work on the Porterfield this winter.

How do I talk to about drawings for the porterfield?

Right now I am planning on doing all the wood work on the fuslage. stingers, bulkheads, back window frame, floor boards, etc.

Your help in sending me in the right direction would be great.

To answer your question my airplane is 1940 cp-65 NC25563 S/N 671

Thanks  Dave.

davebrown3@hotmail.com

dave@davebrowndesigns.com

dave@tailwheels.com My aviation cartoon

Tom -

Thank you for your welcome!

My father purchased his LP65 disassembled in 1985. This is the only plane that he has ever owned.  Although he loves planes and flying, he has not piloted a plane in years.  It is my hope that he and I can get this Porterfield back in the air after many years of being grounded.  Although I am good at doing what I'm told and have an eye for detail, I know nothing about rebuilding a plane.  In the '80s, my father belonged to a club that rebuilt planes, so he has some experience. My hope is that I might find information on this site that will help guide us through the reconstruction process. 

Thus far, the Porterfield has had the wings rebuilt, the frame has be sanded and primed, and the engine has been rebuilt (my profile picture is of the rebuilt engine in it's current state).  Nothing has yet been covered.

I would greatly appreciate any advice or direction that you or the other members can provide.

Thank you again for the welcome, and for creating this site.

Sincerely,

Bryant Chambers

Looking to sell my Porterfield LP-65 project.  Email me for details if you are interested at  porterfield1940@live.com

This is a pretty complete project with the fuselage epoxy painted. Original engine and  Log Books back to 1942 and this plane was used by the Department of Defense from 1940-1942 so it has a little history as well.