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CruiseAir on a stick

Sun Dec 21, 2008 1:15 pm

I don't know if this really belongs in the "Vintage Aviation" portion of the forum, but the ol' Bellanca CruiseAires are a neat old airplane nonetheless. This one is on a stick at a rock quarry sales store in the San Antonio, TX area...........

Image


Gary

Sun Dec 21, 2008 2:52 pm

Wrong again Grasshopper you were between Boerne and Nelson City. Getting really warm to being in beautifull Nelson Acres! Really nice gently used aircraft parts and hunting lease.

Sun Dec 21, 2008 5:38 pm

Ober's right. I pass by that plane every Sunday on our way to church. It's really deteriorated over time. The wings have started drooping in the last three to four weeks or so. :x Makes me sad.

Ryan

Sun Dec 21, 2008 9:44 pm

That prop doesn' t look like it's been treated to gently.
Doug

Sun Dec 21, 2008 10:51 pm

We get a little more snow than normal it's the end of that one. For the life of me I have never figured out what an airplane has to do with selling rocks. I live a short Par 5 from that and never stopped to ask him wtf.

Mon Dec 22, 2008 2:19 pm

Just drove by that CruiseAir and noticed the wing droop is way more than it was a week ago. At this rate they will be on the ground before the end of the year. Be sure and look (take a picture) on your way to church Ryan this Thursday.

Mon Dec 22, 2008 2:47 pm

Obergrafeter wrote:Just drove by that CruiseAir and noticed the wing droop is way more than it was a week ago. At this rate they will be on the ground before the end of the year. Be sure and look (take a picture) on your way to church Ryan this Thursday.


You think if the wing continues to droop that maybe he'd let someone have it? :idea:

Ryan

Re: CruiseAir on a stick

Mon Dec 22, 2008 7:40 pm

retroaviation wrote:I don't know if this really belongs in the "Vintage Aviation" portion of the forum, but the ol' Bellanca CruiseAires are a neat old airplane nonetheless. This one is on a stick at a rock quarry sales store in the San Antonio, TX area...........
Gary


Sure it does Gary, we've posted much newer stuff than that poor old Bellanca on here. Sorry to see it dying on that pole, thanks for posting.

Cruisair on a pole.

Sun Dec 28, 2008 10:07 am

Hi Evererybody!
Maybe some know me here, some don't, I just found this interesting site. Nice work and infos here.

May I introduce you to my bird? I believe this is how we keep Cruisair flying. See this link.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_bellanc ... otostream/

Too bad for this Cruisair on the pole but it's over for this one. Wooden wings, once drooping, forget it. And way before actually. Would be way too coslty to put this bird back in the air.

Alain.[/img]

Sun Dec 28, 2008 10:22 am

Nice picture, what engine do you have?

Sun Dec 28, 2008 11:15 am

Franklin 165 h.p.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_bellanca/

Sun Dec 28, 2008 12:03 pm

Yes, I've admired that airplane at the Classic Air Rallyes at Rockcliffe, in Ottawa.

I got checked out in Larry Quintons Cruiseair last fall. He pulled the 190 hp out and installed a 260 hp. What a rocket! Full right rudder for takeoff, and quick get-the-gear-up before it accelerates past max retraction spped. Yet lovely to handle and good on grass. If I didn't already buy that Fairchild....

You've got yours for sale, right Alain?

Dave

Sun Dec 28, 2008 4:39 pm

Thats a nice looking Bellanca! I almost bought one back in 1991...had a 180 Lycoming in it. I have always thought they looked classy and probably have photos of 40-50 of them that I have taken over the years. I really like the Franklin logo on the fuselage. We are painting the Warner Scarab Beetle logo on the side of our other Waco RNF.

Sun Dec 28, 2008 5:32 pm

I dare say the wing looked a bit more down today.

Ryan

Sun Dec 28, 2008 8:59 pm

Yes Dave it was for sale. And after having an offer on it, Had a little family chatt and turned around. I'm keeping it for now. Just couldn't let it go. even if I am not putting the hours I'd like to.

The paint design could originaly be seen when Franklin used to promote their engines, they had a few of these and painted them all ''pontiac red'' and flew them around. You can see this one (mine) on the cover page of Private Pilot, June or July 94. I bought it ''as is'' in 2005 from a gentlemen in Murphysboro/Carbonsdale, south Illinois and flew it here in St-Lazare. Was a great flight. lots of fun. Did a bit of work, painted the wings but nothing major. I am now trying to get to the interior. Just for a little bit of TLC.

Darn thing flies like a charm and peform great for the fuel it use. My first choice was a Fairchild 24 that I would have bought for about the same price but needing assembly. I love the Fairchild. Nice big cabin. Cruisair a bit tighter inside but cruise faster. Had to do some compromise, didn't had the time to assemble an airplane. So have to pour myself in...well not to that point but let say that it's not the roomiest for a 6'3'' bear...

Just flew saturday again. I should be at the event in Ottawa from Flightworks February 22nd.

Alain.
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