Fairchild Restoration Story

She's all done now, and what a beauty. Bob's flying the skies over Drakeland Estates.

A Restoration, Vintage Airplane 1946 F-24 Fairchild
When a real estate developer - commercial pilot ( Robert J Drake Jr.), a great aviation mechanic- pilot ( Cory Thompson III ), and 80 year young cowboy - pilot legend ( Bill Winnop), are determined to fly an old antique airplane, safely, from Ramona, California (San Diego) to Prosser, Washington, in the spring of 1995, a story unfolds... An Adventure of a Lifetime!
Flight Briefs:
December, 1994	Robert J Drake Jr.- test flies and purchases 1946 F-24 Fairchild, from Royal Air Force Veteran of World War II, Douglas Garton, residing today in Sunriver, Oregon.
April - 1995 Ramona, CA	Late afternoon start, Cory is flying and having a tough climb, over Tehachapi Pass, elev. 9500 feet. The air is hot and rough with turbulence But with spirits high, we land at Porterville, CA. at dusk. The old wing landing light works.
Lodi, CA	Late morning, Robert J. Drake Jr. is flying, making an approach to a short narrow runway. In landing, Fairchild, she’s a heavy tail wheel airplane, with a special spirit, and at times, a mind of her own.
Red Bluff, CA	Late afternoon arrival, weather turning bad, with gusting winds, and poor visibility. We decide to wait out the storm, and relax.
Dunsmuir, CA	Early afternoon, Cory is flying, hard to find a way through the mountain pass, in poor visibility and heavy rain. Bill Winnop can see light to the east of us, and is telling us to fly there, but unfortunately, that’s heading to Nevada. Cory, does some great flying.
Mt. Shasta, CA	We relax at the Veterans Club, Bill Winnop needs a drink. We socialize with a very attractive, and friendly, barmaid, telling a few stories, and having a great time.
Weed, CA	Next morning, we have to land. Wood propeller is cracked, and we can’t find another one. We are a little angry and decide to leave my airplane here. Bill Winnop wants to stay the night and party, with the ladies. I agree, but we decide to leave - via Horizon Air, Klamath Falls, Oregon.
Klamath Falls, OR	Cory says, ”Robert, we are flying a good Fairchild airplane, now”! Not very funny!
One Month Later: Weed, CA	We have new propeller and drive 12 hours straight, to get it there in time for Cory to install it. We fly the Fairchild home at last.
Prosser, WA	I'm having fun flying the Fairchild, but it appears the main engine oil bearings are about to fail (angry), my nice airplane is grounded. We remove the engine and send it out, to be overhauled by Jack Lanning in Arlington, Washington. Jack, does great work, and the Warner Radial Engine never looked better. We decide to restore the whole airplane.
April. 17, 1996	With the guidance and help of Richard Bogert- I A, the restoration has started on the Fairchild. To take on the responsibility of a project like this, requires expertise in many crafts, such as wood cabinetry, fabric, upholstery, welding, machining, electrical, etc. We are fortunate to have the artistic talent of Richard Bogert, a master aviation craftsman- I A.
April. 1996 to Feb. 2001	Restoration of Fairchild: We performed an extensive overhaul of all wood in the vertical and horizontal stabilizers (tail), as well as the steel airframe. We installed all new wiring, tires, aircraft bolts and hardware. A new windshield, upholstery and new radios were also installed, making this tired and old Fairchild “The Grand Dame Of Vintage Airplanes“! Once again !
A Few Thoughts...	Life can be stressful Especially, when you run out of time and money to finish The rewards are great, an experience, that is priceless Then comes that day, she belches smoke, fires on all seven cylinders And makes that romantic radial engine roar, as she gracefully slips through the air Adventurous Flight If we can believe in the miraculous Spirit of Life, Then even a tired old airplane can be ready for flight. For she once did, surrounded by California storms and mountains of treachery Fly some brave new friends, safely, as if on a mission of destiny. Robert J. Drake, Jr.



Then	In Progress . . .

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Ready for the Sky!

Owner/Piolot Bob Drake with F24W46 Fairchild	F24W46 Fairchild Pilot - Bob Drake 2002 Great Prosser Balloon Ralley