Split from Harry Delicker topic, as this is about 170's but not about Harry... -Z
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Speaking of 170's.... About 6 years ago I was installing an off grid solar/wind system for a guy out of Lava Hot Springs, 450 acres far from the powerlines. I had spotted the new construction, noted the distance to power, and gave him a biz card for the solar stuff and got the job. As we installed the equipment and got to know each other, I mentioned how I use the airplane to find crane and solar work, fly out of my own place, etc. He said "he used to fly a little".
Yeah, right! He was a Marine aviator and flew Corsairs off carriers in the Pacific during WW2, and, after surviving that, he got out and for the next 50 (FIFTY) YEARS operated a large aerial application business in central California, along the way pioneering the concept of spraying during the night, when the bees are asleep. After that he retired to a large ranch in Nevada, where the 170 was his knock around plane, useful in getting salt blocks to the cattle, etc. After retiring from that a move was made to my area in the midst of the 170 being re-covered, it was moved along with everything else, in a 50' enclosed (mouse proof) trailer. A few years went by, he lost an arm in a tractor PTO accident (they sewed it back on...) his wife died, and it was still in the trailer when one day he asked "want to see something?"
Wow, there it was... I immediately suggested he get the local Idaho State University Aviation Vo-Tech program involved in its reassembly. We have a great school out at PIH, ram rodded by some instructors who don't allow anything but perfect work, and any local pilot who is lucky, and patient as the pace is slower re the instructional aspect, to get his plane worked on out there knows what I mean. This what we did, a careful transport out to the big hanger last year, and a very thorough further dissasembly and gradual complete re do is to the stage now pictured. The wings were being painted, they are pristine, with the tanks being re done/pressure tested etc.
When its back together, I get the honor of flying it for the first 20 hours or so (got to make REAL sure everything is OK, might take longer... and then it will go on the market. Anyone interested PM me, and I will make a list and get back when the day comes.
BTW I've been out at Jim's place the last couple days, he had a backup generator glitch, and I noticed one section of his winding driveway is long enough for the S7-S to operate out of. Jim says its not, but what does he know! I am welcome to give it a shot, and about 45 minutes from now will be doing same, I'll report back tonight.

Well I am happy to report I was right and Jim was wrong! Clearing the haybales (there for snowfencing) as close as possible, and very light braking used up about half of the available 90 paces (37 of my paces are 100', so I had about 243' to work with assuming I did indeed almost graze the bales on final). Jim got a real kick out of it, and it was better then driving due to all the construction going on on Hwy 30. Jim and I traded tales of working beind the power curve/high angle of attack touchdowns, it seems he did the same on occasion in the Corsair! At the time he was told no way could he do that, his compatriots and him apparently got away with it.
First pic: I touched down at the bottom of the bottom curve, you can see the piled haybales, I could have moved them but it wasn't really necessary. Second pic is 89 yr old Jim, a very cool guy.Third shot is a hillside LZ on the range between my place and Jims, last pic shows the up the gulley then a sharp left approach for same.

Speaking of 170's.... About 6 years ago I was installing an off grid solar/wind system for a guy out of Lava Hot Springs, 450 acres far from the powerlines. I had spotted the new construction, noted the distance to power, and gave him a biz card for the solar stuff and got the job. As we installed the equipment and got to know each other, I mentioned how I use the airplane to find crane and solar work, fly out of my own place, etc. He said "he used to fly a little".
Yeah, right! He was a Marine aviator and flew Corsairs off carriers in the Pacific during WW2, and, after surviving that, he got out and for the next 50 (FIFTY) YEARS operated a large aerial application business in central California, along the way pioneering the concept of spraying during the night, when the bees are asleep. After that he retired to a large ranch in Nevada, where the 170 was his knock around plane, useful in getting salt blocks to the cattle, etc. After retiring from that a move was made to my area in the midst of the 170 being re-covered, it was moved along with everything else, in a 50' enclosed (mouse proof) trailer. A few years went by, he lost an arm in a tractor PTO accident (they sewed it back on...) his wife died, and it was still in the trailer when one day he asked "want to see something?"
Wow, there it was... I immediately suggested he get the local Idaho State University Aviation Vo-Tech program involved in its reassembly. We have a great school out at PIH, ram rodded by some instructors who don't allow anything but perfect work, and any local pilot who is lucky, and patient as the pace is slower re the instructional aspect, to get his plane worked on out there knows what I mean. This what we did, a careful transport out to the big hanger last year, and a very thorough further dissasembly and gradual complete re do is to the stage now pictured. The wings were being painted, they are pristine, with the tanks being re done/pressure tested etc.
When its back together, I get the honor of flying it for the first 20 hours or so (got to make REAL sure everything is OK, might take longer... and then it will go on the market. Anyone interested PM me, and I will make a list and get back when the day comes.
BTW I've been out at Jim's place the last couple days, he had a backup generator glitch, and I noticed one section of his winding driveway is long enough for the S7-S to operate out of. Jim says its not, but what does he know! I am welcome to give it a shot, and about 45 minutes from now will be doing same, I'll report back tonight.

BTW This 170 was owned by the sheriff of Carson City Nevada, and used for search and rescue etc. He may have been the original owner, Jim may have been the second owner S/N.

Ok. now you are baiting me to fly my 801 down there and visit you and Jim. The weather has been PERFECT these last few days and if it holds out I might make a low pass or two. ... On a side note I might be needing a crane service and a bunch of off grid stuff soon too... 2wy3 needs a hangar and living space... We need to talk..

Oh yeah.. Poky does some great work on planes in their aviation dept... Someone is going to get a real prize.. Altho it might need at least 50 hours of test flying..

Ben.

Yeah you got that right Ben, I love it when the density altitude works in our favor for a change! It was 25 or so when I landed at Jim's, gotta love that nice thick air....I had to work some to get a guy with a flying history like Jim's to go "wow", and I did it today, it was a real treat and I'm not sure who enjoyed it more, me or him!

(5000')

Stol wrote:Ok. now you are baiting me to fly my 801 down there and visit you and Jim. The weather has been PERFECT these last few days and if it holds out I might make a low pass or two. ... On a side note I might be needing a crane service and a bunch of off grid stuff soon too... 2wy3 needs a hangar and living space... We need to talk..

Oh yeah.. Poky does some great work on planes in their aviation dept... Someone is going to get a real prize.. Altho it might need at least 50 hours of test flying..

Ben.