Backcountry Pilot

[Zzz]

Late model 180's (not sure which year it started) have the big tail like a 185.

I think they were called the Skywagon II. I ogled a nice one a few years back at Crane Lake.

[A1Skinner offline]

Late model 180's (not sure which year it started) have the big tail like a 185.

I think they were called the Skywagon II. I ogled a nice one a few years back at Crane Lake.

I think anything '64 or newer, with a factory float kit had the bigger dorsal. Also had 3 side windows.

[Zzz]

Late model 180's (not sure which year it started) have the big tail like a 185.

I think they were called the Skywagon II. I ogled a nice one a few years back at Crane Lake.

I think anything '64 or newer, with a factory float kit had the bigger dorsal. Also had 3 side windows.

According to this, which we have added to our knowledge base thanks to Mark Pilkington over at Stancil, it was 1975 before the 180 got the 185 vertical stabilizer and dorsal. Unless I read it wrong (I skimmed fast.)

https://www.backcountrypilot.org/knowle ... stinctions

I guess "Skywagon II" was a model with a particular options package, available in '78.

[A1Skinner offline]

[quote="robw56"]Late model 180's (not sure which year it started) have the big tail like a 185.

I think they were called the Skywagon II. I ogled a nice one a few years back at Crane Lake.

I think anything '64 or newer, with a factory float kit had the bigger dorsal. Also had 3 side windows.

According to this, which we have added to our knowledge base thanks to Mark Pilkington over at Stancil, it was 1975 before the 180 got the 185 vertical stabilizer and dorsal. Unless I read it wrong (I skimmed fast.)

https://www.backcountrypilot.org/knowle ... stinctions[/quote]
That is right. Sorry. It can be added to any 64 or newer model to take advantage of the kenmore gross weight increase STC.

[Zzz]

Either way, the big tail sure looks badass.

[hotrod180 offline]

The C180 got the third side window in 1964. I thought that after a certain year all the 180's had the big dorsal, but per the old Stancil website info sheet, starting in 1975 "the optional float plane kit includes the C185 vertical fin to the end of production".

Minus any obvious clues, like the "180" behind the aft-most window on this one, the way to tell the difference is that the 185 has a little scoop on the bottom of the lower cowl, right between the cowl flaps. I believe this is to provide cooling air for a fuel pump that's a part of the fuel injection system..

[ShadowAviator offline]

Looking at these different birds is kinda depressing. So much potential.

Its like locking a horse in a stable til he falls apart.

[Slantbuggy offline]

the dorsal is only for certain floats, its how they got them approved for that particular airframe. Most 180/185 dont use a dorsal, however some like the amphib aerocets do require a dorsal on a 185

[Halestorm offline]

the dorsal is only for certain floats, its how they got them approved for that particular airframe. Most 180/185 dont use a dorsal, however some like the amphib aerocets do require a dorsal on a 185

You mean the ventral fin? Wipline and aerocet floats require a small ventral fin on the belly while EDO floats do not.

Dorsal fin in the 180/185 is the small fillet section at the front of the vertical stabilizer.

For many years one could buy the sheet metal bits from Cessna to convert the small dorsal to the larger style, this was much cheaper than trying to source a larger stab for the higher gross weight.

[Slantbuggy offline]

i am corrected yes the ventral. thanks for the terminology fix! haha

[Steelroamer offline]

the dorsal is only for certain floats, its how they got them approved for that particular airframe. Most 180/185 dont use a dorsal, however some like the amphib aerocets do require a dorsal on a 185

You mean the ventral fin? Wipline and aerocet floats require a small ventral fin on the belly while EDO floats do not.

Dorsal fin in the 180/185 is the small fillet section at the front of the vertical stabilizer.

For many years one could buy the sheet metal bits from Cessna to convert the small dorsal to the larger style, this was much cheaper than trying to source a larger stab for the higher gross weight.

I am assuming you are referring to cessnas? My M6 is on EDO 2440's and has a ventral fin...or dock knocker as we call it ( if you have one you know why)

[Podunkjr offline]

I have a soft spot for ramp rats. I've been heavily involved with saving and returning two back to the skies. First was a C-45 that sat derelict at Boeing Field for 10+ years. I was one of the lead mechanics and we spent 5 days working on it and flew it from WA to CA, then flew it to Oshkosh a year or two later to try to win (and succeeded) the dirty bird award. My wife (then girlfriend) headed up the art setup wherein we let the people of Airventure graffiti the plane all week. (And for those concerned about the blasphemy of graffiti all over a vintage twin beech, the paint was in terrible shape and we used water-based kids finger paint, so everything washed right off)
http://www.twinbeech.com/dirtybirdOSH09.htm


The second plane was a Lockheed PV-2 that sat for 18 years. Again I was one of the lead mechanics and we spent about 2 weeks going through the systems and replacing the carbs and we ferried it out. Full story here: http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... =3&t=38160

Currently I'm the shop manager working on rebuilding a SBD-4 dauntless that was recovered from Lake Michigan in 1993 back to flying status. I guess that one isn't a ramp mummy so much as a lake mummy? Should be flying in the next few months for the first time since 1944 when it blew a cylinder and was ditched in the lake. We just completed slow speed taxi tests. I love to bring back the "too far gone!"

[richpiney offline]

Awesome! Very interesting, thanks for sharing and please keep posting.

[propeller26 offline]

That sure looks like the P2V at the strip in Middletown. Often wondered it's story.

[robw56 offline]

That sure looks like the P2V at the strip in Middletown. Often wondered it's story.

That's definitely the strip near Middletown. I've always wanted to land there whenever I fly by. Good to see that PV-2 fly again!

[Podunkjr offline]

Same PV-2 from Middletown. We flew it out in 2010. I played flight engineer on the flight out. Great fun! I'm the guy in the green shirt with my hand on the propeller in the group photo and the one sitting on the firewall removing the carburetor. Was a lot of hard work getting her flyable again, but a lot of fun as well!


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[Podunkjr offline]

The dauntless as recovered from Lake Michigan in the early 1990's.




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[Podunkjr offline]

And as it sits right now nearly ready for its maiden flight



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[AK Flyster offline]

And as it sits right now nearly ready for its maiden flight



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Wow. Looks great!


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[richpiney offline]

It's a shame to see this Scout sitting out neglected at 32S, Ravalli County Airport in Hamilton, Mt.

The IA owner was in the process of restoring it, but passed away a couple of years ago, never having completed it. Not sure who owns it now. Would be neat if it was up flying around the Selway again someday, but for now at least it just has to look West and soak it in....