Looking for Waco and Great Lakes photos

[Charles Neely]

I was wondering if anyone had a line on photos taken at San Jose's (CA) Ried Hillview Airport of Sam Haley's yellow and black RNF and or Ed Swan's silver and blue Kinner Great Lakes. Both were there in late 50's, Ried's being a veritable hotbed of AAA activity on the West Coast at that time. Both attended Merced Flyins frequently, especially Sam's Waco. BTW, the RNS was still in owned by Sam ,as of a couple years ago.

Merced photos would be good too.

TIA

Charlie Neely

[Eric Presten]

I helped Sam pull the lower left wing off of the Waco about three weeks ago for recover. It is based at Schellville, and looks exaxtly like it did in the old days. There is a nice color picture of it in my latest book "Vintage Flyers II" on page 96.

[wacoykc]

Look at my website at www.nationalwacoclub.com and you will find photos of RNF NC124Y.

[Charles Neely]

thanks for the replies gents.

Sam was a good friend of my dad's, who I believe painted that Waco, back in the day. In fact our families did alot together thru those years. Sam's son Bobby Jay and I used to play together at Ried's. Got my first biplane ride in that ship.

For a time, we had an INF in the garage (one of many projects). It was sold to Bob Holman (American Eagle, Flaybob - a/c still exists at So. County Museum).

BTW- Swan's Great Lakes was also painted by my Pop, James Neely. It was a small tailed type with Kinner engine, Monocupe wheel pants and PT-22 nose. SLICK!

Eric, please give my best to Sam when you see him again. Tell him Jim's boy says Hello!
thanks again,
Charlie

[Eric Presten]

I will pass the word to Sam and Bobby Jay. There is also a color air-to-air photo of the American Eagle from South County in Vintage Flyers II.