I have traded that dastardly swing wing machine I had for a C195
Monday the 13th I'm leaving CLE, going to stop and say Hello to the Patrol Guy on my way by.
Will be traveling pretty direct from Chicago to Spokane depending on weather.
Any suggestions on a good place to get fuel, good eats, or a place to overnight would be a great help.
Thanks in advance GT

G, that is so cool that you got a 195! I'm particularly fond of the tails on those machines.

I don't have much in the way of route suggestions, but do enjoy the trip.

That is so cool I've always liked 195's...wish I could ride along with ya

whee wrote:That is so cool I've always liked 195's...wish I could ride along with ya

Yea, what Whee said,....... Me tooo...

There are a couple a classic planes on my list of true beauties. The Beech Staggerwing is one, and the other is the C-195. What a neat plane. Those lines...and that lovely round engine. There were a couple of them on floats for sale in Renton WA a couple a years ago. They look real nice on floats too. Dont know where they ended up. Have a good trip.

I think most of them have the Goodyear crosswind gear. It's really the only way you can see forward-- By throwing it sideways down the runway.

Cheapest fuel near your route:

Hutchinson, MN, 100LL $2.74
Laurel, MT 100LL $2.99

Unfortunately, you don't have any options for overnighting, because all of the good backcountry strips are still under snow!

What a plane! Hope you enjoy it .

I'd say sneak through here (Hanson, PVT on the Great Falls sectional) but you'll be going so fast you'll be by here before you know it!! Cabin Creek (right near me) has very cheap card pump.
John

I have stopped at the following places. Red Oak, IW. I like this place. Custer, S.D. I liked it too. North Platte, NE. They have a shuttle to and from the runway. Good service. Rock Springs, Wy. good place to get fuel. Hamilton, MT. fuel stop. Denison, IW. courtesy car, fuel, good service. If you stop in S49, Vale, OR. I could put you up for the night if I am home. I leave BXK Buckeye, AZ. on the 14th for home. I think you will be north of S49 though if you are going direct.. Bob

Gas is $2.50 at U68(Cowley,WY) and KGEY(Greybull, WY)

GT,
Just a suggestion but how about posting a diagram or something of your proposed route. That way any guys along the way may have good suggestion on where to get fuel/RON, etc. If I am home and you are near my place you are welcome to stop and stay. I think I am way north of your route though since I am up near Itasca State Park, MN.
WW

WHunter I would post a diagram, But I kind of challenged in that area!!!
But my Route should be if weather permits
Chicago thru N. IL. then thru the SW corner of WI, NE corner of IA, S and SW corner on MN. Then meander along the border of SD and ND. I'm going to try and stop in Laural MT. then on to the very Northern part of ID. and on home just north of Spokane, about 14 miles SW of 63S-Colville WA.
I have a couple of days to spare, so can stop and say hello if not to far out of the way!!
Looking forward to meeting some of you along the way.
I will be taking the laptop with so will post a note or two along the way
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions and help.
Will be nice to get a long cross country in the 195 before I Head to AK. in May

GT

In Missoula Montana area: Cheapest gas is 8S1 Polson, on south tip of Flathead lake. Self serve. Or Stevensville 32S which is 20 south of Missoula. I can rally the locals and probably find you a bed. Missoula or Stevensville would be the easiest. Good round engine maintenance in Missoula at Northstar (Neptune Aviation which fly Lockheed P2Vs as fire airtankers). Call is you need anything. 406 273-0558 home 406 360-2962c workdays.

navmonster.com

Well I'm here at Harlan Field in Ohio
Will get checked out in the 195 this AM, Sure is a pretty Bird
If all goes well will have Lunch with the Patrol Guy after my first Solo Flight in the 195.
Will post some more later today when I find a spot a little farther west.
Smilin GT

If you ever get a chance to have lunch with George, do it, he grabs the check faster then a western gunfighter can draw. He has a pretty 195 also. I was in rain 5 minutes after leaving him, so I am sure it got wet. The good news is that he should be one of the few who get a good tail wind going west.

I am just the messenger. George just called 6:00 PM ETZ and says to tell you all, that he is on the ground and safe in Kewanee, IL, but without internet service. Lots of rain and fog to the ground.

Today was the first time George and I ever met, but I know that i need some camp fire time to hear some more of his stories! PG

If you happen to wander farther north than the ND-SD border--give a shout, I am by Northwood, ND 4V4 and have a hanger if you need and a place to rest.

Sorry for the late post, I just got back from a week without internet!!

Lance

If you do make it through NW MT and stop in Polson, 8S1, look us up. I know we are not far from your destination so you would be itching to get home but it would be great to see your new "classic". We have a 195 of our own unfortunately it does not get nearly as much excercise as it should and we are currently in the process of completing the rebuild on its round tail feathers. After that off to paint. They are a beautiful airplane and you just can't replicate that "belch" and "rumble" of the round engine. Anyway send a PM if that works out.