Buffalo Joe buys an N3N

[yakdriver]

Looks like Joe bought himself a toy.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/buf ... -1.3650036

[DH82EH]

I've had the fortune to fly in one, however it was on wheels.
Such a smooth and powerful, beautifully balanced machine.
The controls are all push rods, the one I flew felt like it was on rails.

Flying off of the water in that part of the world must make for a pretty short season.

Long may she run!

Andy

[Fearless Tower]

Is the N3N as drafty inside as a Stearman?

A Stearman is down right miserable below 70F ground temp. I'll fly a Waco on the other hand down to 40F and be fine.

[DH82EH]

It was a beautiful summer day when I flew in the N3N. I honestly don't recall.
To be fair, I have not yet flown in a Stearman, so, no way to make a fair comparison.
That being said, I've flown my Tiger Moth down in the low 40's.
Very important to dress properly (basically, everything you own )
Gloves are key. The throttle gets cold and steals the heat from a bare hand.
The rear pit of the Tiger is definitely draftier than the front.

Andy

[yakdriver]

I have over 400 hrs in N3Ns. The cockpit is less drafty than a Stearman and if you don't sit too high it is fine down into the 40s with a good leather jacket and a layer or two. It is a Cadillac compared to a Stearman with four ailerons and ball bearing controls with pushrods on ailerons and elevator and about 10mph faster. Flies a lot like a UPF-7 and will handle a pretty stiff crosswind.I flew a stock one with the 30x5 wheels with the Lockheed brakes and it was a lot less forgiving than the later 27" wheels with the Hayes brakes. Not as pretty as most biplanes but much more robust with the all metal structure. Also really easy to work on with removeable panels down the whole left side of the fuselage. Don

[Dan Jones]

I ferried that N3N out of the lake it ended up in and brought it down to our place for the winter about two weeks ahead of freeze-up. I'd never flown one before but it was far more comfortable (or less miserable, depending on your point of reference) than I expected. It was fast too, cruising about 115 mph on floats. After I got it trimmed out and cruising and noticed the speed I started wondering if the big, main float was still there (you can't see it from the cockpit!). Fun airplane! She certainly went to a good home.