Well, I finally made it!

Orval Fairbairn wrote in
news
In article ,
Bertie the Bunyip wrote:

Orval Fairbairn wrote in
newsrfairbairn-
:

In article ,
Bertie the Bunyip wrote:

Orval Fairbairn wrote in
newsrfairbairn-
:

I just received the 2008 Vintage Airplanes calendar, with my
plane
as
"Miss January!"

See: http://www.tide-mark.com/vintage-airplanes.html


Nice. Seen a good few Rockets for sale in the last year or so.
Strange
since I don't think I've seen as many in my life!

The last one (#7) was on ebay and belonged to a freind who died.
His heirs don't fly and didn't know how to sell a rare bird. It
went to another resident here (presumably at a "steal me" price,
including spares). I have been in contact with the new owner and
expect to do
some
formation flying with him. He has been waxing enthusiastic over it.

The other one was the 1993 Oshkosh Grand Champion Vintage and is
available (not at a "steal me" price). There are three presently
flyable.


OK, that sounds more like it!
That one on Ebay was tempting allright, but I got too many projects
as it is!
I've seen one or two Rockets, probably at OSH, so presumably one of
them was your's over the years. IIRC SA had one on the cover a few
years back, and I think I saw your name next to an article on one as
well. An exciting time in aviation, that. The Bonanaza, the Rocket,
new light twins of all descriptions. It looked like the future of
design was bright and yet, aside from a few tupperware airplanes
there's nary a production airplane in sight that can outperform your
Rocket.


A local friend called me about the one on ebay -- I told him that it
is a good plane and that I have known it for the past forty years and
three owners. The first of the three was a former CBI fighter pilot,
who loved the plane but had to sell it because of finances. The last
bought it in 1967 and lavished it with attention -- he died two years
ago at 87. The new owner has a Duke, an L-39 and a T-34, but I think
he will LOVE the Rocket.

The plane needs new cover on the rudder and an AD on the prop, plus
some carburetor adjustment. We will do the rudder and prop here; he
will fly it down and meet me and a photo ship for some two-ship
formation pix.

We will probably post on eaa288.org.


Excellent, Best of luck to him and to both of you for the piccie flight!


Bertie