Tom Porterfield

Male

Abernathy, Texas

United States

Profile Information:

About Me:
I own a propeller repair shop at the Abernathy Municipal Airport (F83). I have been working on aircraft and propellers for over 20 years. I am rebuilding a 1971 Piper Arrow, and have a 1946 Ercoupe in a basket, as well as a 1941 Porterfield CP-65 that I have started to restore. Parts, drawings and knowledge of the Porterfield Airplane are hard to come by. I hope that this site will generate a data base for information and history pretaining to the Porterfield Airplanes that may be shared and used by all interested.
Do you own a Porterfield Airplane? N#?
Yes, 1941 CP-65, In process of restoring.
Are You a Pilot? Ratings?
Yes
Do you have a MYSPACE profile, email address or personal website that you would like to share with others?
http://e-mail porterfieldprops@sbcglobal.net

Comment Wall:

  • Russell Williams

    Thanks Tom.
  • Russell Williams

    Thanks Tom re: rigging for 35 series. I spoke with Joe Rankin this morning, he's got some data. I don't really care about cable tension, I'll just set that up by feel, but do want to get control surface angles to make sure that there's enough travel. Joe thinks he's got that data and is looking it up.
  • Jason Algra

    Thanks Tom! My Porterfield is still in Chino California and I have not touched it since I moved to Oshkosh. The Waiex should be done and flying this time next year. I know of a group in Wisconsin that is restoring a Porterfield with a group of kids. Kind of like the Flabob kids thing. The guy heading it is a Sonex customer and a friend of mine. I will make sure he hears of your site. I have always wanted to do a site like this but time hasn't allowed me. I am glad you are doing it. Has LeRoy Blum from Washington joined yet? He is pretty much the Porterfield Guru.
  • Andy Gelston

    Thank you, Tom! I miss Chuck's newsletter and had thought of taking it over from him myself. Thank you for starting up this group!

    Here's the latest Porterfield ad in Trade-A-Plane (nothing in Barnstormers):
    1941 PORTERFIELD 75C, 2065-TT, 125 SMOH. VFR. Original logs. Price Reduced! $29,900. Foothill Aircraft Sales: Kent, CA/(562) 505-6518; Tony, CA/(909) 917-5851. View Spec Sheet (562) 505-6518
  • Lance Fisher

  • Lance Fisher

    Actually, I live near Minneapolis. For some reason when I joined I couldn't find USA as a country so the US/islands looked like the only viable choice.

    BTW, My dad is the one who had the pattern for the Porterfield decal made and I have it now. I might even have one or two copies of the decal but I'm not certain of that.
  • Steve Sharpe

    Tom

    Thanks for your message. I think I sent a copy of the picture to Chuck soon after it was taken, however the motley crew are from L to R, my flying partner and co-owner Paul Lucas, Me, Trevor Bange, Brian Morris and Richard Earl, the owners of the red one.

    I'm not sure if Richard is involved any more but I think Brian still owns VY. If you're interested in UK registrations the CAA runs an interesting website called G-INFO which has the entire UK register, including many pictures.

    Keep up the good work!
    Cheers
    Steve
  • Bob Bennett

    Tom, Thank you for the Birthday message, Great job with the Club/website. b ob Bennett
  • Jerri & Chris Bergen

    Thank you for the welcome Tom. I'm very happy to see that you have taken up the reins on the Porterfield Club. Great airplanes. All of the Porterfield owners at Cable Airport are accomplished pilots and have more fun in the Porterfield than anything else we fly. We're good friends as well. NC25590 is also at Cable. One of the owners is my brother-in-law. I'm sure he will be interested in joining. He is almost finished with a very nice restoration of NC25590. We'll get some pictures for the club. Thank you again for keeping the club alive!
  • Bradley Algra

    Thank you Clint and Tom,
    Was just heading out the door to go to the Cable Air Show! Have to get my fix of Porterfields.
    Yes, Tom, my brothers plane is at Chino for now awaiting further work.
    It's a beautiful day here in So Cal, going to be in the 70's today. I know , it's tough living with this weather in January
  • Werner Griesbeck

    hi Tom
    My Pfield is CF-RKU Ser.no 1029. I have owned her since 1978. I spent 5 years restoring her. She has Leroy Blum's wing tank in right wing.
    My Cont. C-85-8 conversion is done on a one-of basis by Wallace
    Don Black, Rt.1, Chickasha, Okla 73018 on his Pfield NC27224.
    You most use a -8 rear case as a -12 case will not fit on the
    mount, so no starter. You may need more fuel as the 85 will use
    1 gal. more gas.
    Our Canadian ATC requires a transponder to fly in the Fraser
    Valley, so I've installed a Micro-air com. & tpx in the left wing root
    and a generator on the gear vee.
    I hope this helps those who want to convert.
    Werner & Wendy
  • Jerri & Chris Bergen

    Tom- good afternoon to you- we've made some different porterfield shirts -thought you'd like to see a mockup of one-- The back of this one has the 3 Porterfields of Cable, and the front has the 'king of the air' Porterfield logo on the left chest. Give me an address and we'll send one out!

  • James Foley

    Tom,
    No there is no plan to restore it. The plan is to put it up for sale. I have my wife taking pic's of it, I am in Maryland working SH-60 SAR. It has the Lyc eng. with papers of overhaul, it has been recovered. The rudder was modified by the old owner and was on our list to repair to OEM spec's.. My Dad and I were going to make it fly before he got sick. I inspected the frame for any mods or bad repairs and found none except brazing on the seat frame to make it look good. Anyone intrested let me know. Jim Foley AP/IA
  • Steve Sharpe

    Is it really a year since you put us all on the net? Doesn't time fly? (sorry about the pun). Good to have so many members, but I do feel a bit lonely on the video front, surely there must be lots of other Porterfield flying clips out there. Great set of photos on the site.

    ZL's flying well at the moment (touch wood), should be airborne in her on Sunday possibly going to an air display at an old USAF fighter base at Bentwaters in Essex.
    By the way you're right about Pink Floyd's line up being aircraft enthusiasts, the drummer, Nick Mason has had a few planes and lots of expensive cars, but now is mainly into helicopters I think. Dave Gilmour, the lead guitarist, used to have the odd jet fighter too, and a DC3 I think. The airline pilot/rock star you're referring to is Bruce Dickinson, lead singer in Iron Maiden a long established heavy metal band. He turns up at our club occasionally, sometimes flies a Nanchang, I had a drink with him a year or so back. He's an all round clever chap, apart from leading IM and being a 757 Captain (for Astreus airlines) he's also an author, had a show on national radio and once fenced for Great Britain. He's done some flying shows for Discovery too, which are worth catching. If only most of us had 10% of that talent!
    All the best, Steve..
  • David Talley

    Tom,

    Got the following from another Stinson driver. Please pass it on if you feel it's appropriate. THANKS!

    Petition to EPA Administrator to require availability of non-ethanol polluted gasoline.

    http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/keep-pure-gas/

    Take care,

    David Talley
    San Antonio, TX
  • Mike Polley

    Tom,

     

    My CP-65 is NC25590, S/N 696.  I will send you some pics in the near future

  • Steve Sharpe

    Tom

    I've got hold of a copy of Pilot featuring ZL for you, although I haven't got it in my sweaty mits quite yet, will send it ASAP.

     

    Cheers

     

    Steve

     

  • Mike Rosman

    Thanks for the welcome.  The 75C is a project at this time.  We are currently doing a full restoration on a PA-11 and recovering some Ercoupe wings  with the class.  I own a Skybolt and am currently repainting all of the metal and fiberglass.  It should be ready in about a month.

     

    Take care,

    Mike

  • Gene Morris

    Good morning Tom,  Thank you and all you folks for the fine welcome.  I forgot to mention that in the early nineties I restored the number one Eaglet 291N, and donated it to Kansas City. The last time I saw it it was at MKC.

    I also had the extreme pleasure of flying "Spinach" one time at Blakesburg.

    I plan to get my present Eaglet going soon, NC548Y

    Keep up the good work, Gene

  • Steve Sharpe

    Porterfield%20Flyabout.mht

     

    Not sure if this is old news or not. For sale by auction in NZ.

     

  • Steve Sharpe

    GENN11.jpg

     

    PS. ZL now fitted with Gennipod.  Works well powering radio, i/com, GPS and LED strobe. Will probably need to fit mode S xponder before next year due to stringent Olympic games airspace restrictions which would stop us flying for 2 summer months without one.

  • Jason Algra

    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.

  • Bryant Chambers

    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

  • David L. Brown

    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

     

     

  • t j neff

    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

  • patrick cole

    thanks

  • Craig Modlin

    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

  • Stan Hyde

    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

  • Mike Polley

    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.

  • Stan Hyde

    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

  • t j neff

    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

  • Eric Porterfield

    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.  

  • Andy Andraka

    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.

  • Steve Ahrens

    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?

  • Steve Ahrens

    Thanks Tom! Thanks for the photo!

  • Harold PFRENDER

    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

  • Scott E Blickenstaff

    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