PART 3 OF 6
ERCOUPE
Ercoupe NC3073H, a 1946 Ercoupe last noted with an owner in Omaha.
FAIRCHILD
The early Fairchild 24s, with their skinny banana tails and relatively primitive nose paneling, betrayed their ancestry from Fairchild's early FC-2 bush and utility aircraft much more than the later, smoother 24s. This one, an early 24C I think, would have to have been built around 1933.
NC15608, a more up-to-date, Ranger-powered model, shows how the line had evolved to compete with the Reliants and Howards. Note the cleaner fuselage lines and the switch from parallel to V wing struts. Note the commercial Cessna T-50 and Taylorcraft in the background.
It's not too surprising how quickly the Fairchild PT series of trainers hit the civil market. NC52281 had been a PT-19, and by 1947 sported this sharp new paint job.
A civilian owner has already fitted this PT-23 with a closed canopy. NC55503's registration was revoked only in 1977 and is listed with St. Elmo Air Services of St. Elmo, AL.
Keesler Field personnel meet to discuss a maintenance issue with an early C-82.
FLEET
Delightful Fleet 7, NC768V, invites you to go flying over the delta on a beautiful cloudless day.
FUNK
The unmistakable cowling of a Funk, designed to accommodate a converted Ford auto engine (although other powerplants were also offered).
GRUMMAN
A Goose is attended to by a Jeep at Keesler. Note in background P-51H at left, line of B-25s at right. Be patient, we'll get there ...
INTERSTATE
NC37426 was a 1942 Interstate Cadet.
This aircraft survived to become a beautiful restored antique, and Dick caught up with it again in 1991 at a fly-in in Denton, TX. Almost certainly he never realized that he had seen this same airplane as an Air Force trainee, 44 years earlier. The current owner is listed in Lehigh, Florida.
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