Warbird Information Exchange

That is one mighty fine looking little 'war bug' you have there. Back in the late 60's /early 70's KPAE was a mini hot bed of war bugs including a really nice L-6 and a Porterfield for a while. They were fun to watch because you could tell the pilot was enjoying the heck out of himself.
Great job on an interesting and rarely seen aircraft-bet you won't see 23 of them at the next fly-in!

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Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

yes

Welcome to the madhouse CherskyA/C! Were you folks able to solve or reduce the overheat problem in
the Franklin? Sweet L-6!

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He bowls overhand...He is the most interesting man in the world.
"In Peace Japan Breeds War", Eckstein, Harper and Bros., 3rd ed. 1943(1927, 1928,1942)
"Leave it to ol' Slim. I got ideas...and they're all vile, baby." South Dakota Slim
"Ahh..."The Deuce", 28,000 pounds of motherly love." quote from some Mojave Grunt
DBF

Come on now your begining to sound like the folks at CFM that you have the only original one. The one I had was recovered, but other than that completely original. Although I didn't have a radio it did have original map table in the rear which you probably don't have from looking at the pictures as the radio probably takes up too much room. I still think the L-6 is the best looking L bird and yours is no exception. Mine was sold out to the west coast and the last I heard was still a flyer. By the way I never had any overheating problems with it here in Texas.

I may be wrong here, but I think there's a large part of one of those hanging from the rafters at the Van Nuys A&P school.... I shall investigate next time I'm in the area..

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Those who possess real knowledge are rare.

Those who can set that knowledge into motion in the physical world are rarer still.

The few who possess real knowledge and can set it into motion of their own hands are the rarest of all.

Yes, Obergrafeter, my aircraft is well known by the ILPA and the Interstate Club, and has a thumbs up from Tim Talen, Rick Hoffman, and Charlie Sullivan, all experts in their field. I'm beginning to wonder about what you said. The Lear radios are overhead to the left of the Pilot. The map table folds and becomes the seatback for the Observer, so the two items are not near each other. So yes, the map table and everything else is there, with proper stenciling by the TO. You can give me a complete list out of the parts manual, and I'll take pictures of each item for your satisfaction. How about just an attaboy and the satisfaction of knowing that someone is sincere about authenticity and originality? And my Stinson OY-2 was of the same caliber, that can be confirmed by Jim Gray of the L-5 Club. You are welcome to come by and see for yourself. And to Airnutz, thank you very, very much for the kind words. My Franklin, with its original installation and no modifications other than the oil cooler added by Interstate, does not come anywhere near to overheating. It pegs out at about 195 Fahrenheit consistently, of course I'm on the CA coast and we have moderate temps here. My cylinder head temp is right where the TO says, at 260 Fahrenheit. Oil pressure always starts around 50, then settles at 30. Static RPM is right where the book says at 3150, and full open in flight will attain 3450. The only issue I have is occasional oil drips after a flight, but nothing unlike other more modern aircraft. It has really not been that hard to maintain the O-200-5 and keep it flying right. All the parts are available, plus I have spare engines, one that was the display for the Air Force Museum for their L-6. I also keep three spare US Props for the engine. Thanks again.

Checked your site, Cherksy. Gorgeous aircraft you have there. Really a beauty. Not a type I'm very familiar with, though I've seen a few, but I'm sure it's all you claim it to be. Love to see it some time.

Careful with claims of "only" though, especially as vague/subjective as "only all stock, original, and truly authentic" or "only authentic, original ... in existence." They don't make the plane any nicer, they're a wee bit provocative, and if they happen to be a tad exaggerated, the brain trust on this forum will see it pretty quick!

Beautiful Stinson, too. As requested: attaboy!

August

This is a regular flyer in our area:



Another regular in our area, all though the owner passed away recently is this one, with plenty of mods (picture from 2002):

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Roger Cain
www.sfahistory.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Stearman/


We must limit politicians to two terms:
one in office and one in jail.

Do any of you L-6 owners have good sources of information about the aircraft? I'd be interested in what you have available! Also interested in pictures or drawings.

Ryan

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Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

Here are a few more L-6 pics from over the years.

N2778Q:






N46023:






N46336, a regular at Reading:






N49188:






Arctic/Artic Tern N60AT:




And, while I've got the Interstate file out, here's one of TDR-1 33529 before it went to Pensacola:




August

Yes the one with #33 on it. Thats what I am talking about. How could we have won WWII without it. The sky was black with the Lycoming powered L-6s on D-Day! The Germans retreated in horror knowing that the Ercoupes were coming next. By the way I did fly that particular plane a couple of times. I still prefer the Franklin.

Thanks k5083. I think I can back up my claim. Let's first narrow down to those with the Franklin. That's only a few. Eldon Beresford's very authentic Franklin powered L-6 just had an engine change to a Lycoming (got that from his son Dave). The #36 L-6 has a Franklin, but has the incorrect tailwheel, no greenhouse, incorrect nav lights, etc., etc. While mine does have the original Franklin (plus a spare 0 time Franklin and a museum display Franklin and three US Props and three sets of cowlings), I also have the original Lear radios, relief tubes, checklist holder with green lettered checklist, data cases, prop cover, mooring kit, map table, floor shelf, proper greenhouse, nav lights, and tailwheel assembly, Shinn wheels and brakes, battery box, mag switch, fixed antenna, brass fire extinguisher, flotation cushions, proper data plates, stenciled depot markings, and anything else in the parts manual. Plus, the 1942 govt. specification for the airplane with photos by Dick Whittington and the Boeing Scout L-6 testbed photos and several original manuals, plus a 1943 sectional folded to Camp Mackall where the airplane was based with the 101st Airborne. I even have the Grasshopper caricature drawing with identifed aircraft components drawn up by the Interstate draftsmen. If someone else has an L-6 that complete, plus documentation, please speak up, because I'd like to be in good company, that's for sure. Not trying to win a contest, just trying to promote keeping things original and authentic, a dying artform. Olive Gloss and a Super Cub nose doesn't really do it for purists. Someone has to keep an example stock for future generations. I don't want it to be just me, more examples of authenticity would be much better. I guarantee mine will never be modified or modernized. Before the Interstate Museum in Wyoming closed, they wanted mine for the representative example, and I take that as a compliment. My OY-2 was also bone stock, something I also took pride in. Authenticity is my thing, since it's the most challenging way to keep an airplane. Thanks to everyone for their interest in the L-6. Stop by and see it sometime !!!

Wish I knew where my old L-6 is today, and see if the new owner kept it stock. By the way what color did you use? I painted mine Forest Green a Stits color(flat) and it matched OD pretty good.

What is the 'N' number of your old L-6?

Steve G

What the heck is that in the last picture?

-David