Warbird Information Exchange

After a 17 1/2 year ground up restoration, RAF HB690 took to the skies for the first time in over 50 years. Built in 1943 by Fairchild Aircraft Company, Hagerstown, MD for the US Army Air Force as a UC-61K aircraft 43-14964, was Lend Leased and shipped to England to serve in the RAF's Air Transport Auxiliary as an ARGUS III until war's end. After being surplussed off, the plane Flew in Holland as PH-NDI until the early 1960's, it made it's way back to the states through several owners before being found in a barn by present owners in 2001. Working mostly on weekends and holidays we were able to take our hobby/passion for saving this aircraft from a pile of parts to this Beautiful aircraft.

https://1drv.ms/a/s!AuR954SfSpZCpTCi9Uug0mseevkp

Keep'Em Flying
Jim

Congratulations! Looks like a spectacular restoration. I love seeing the dedication to accuracy that you put into this. It isn't often to see that in something that isn't a big, "heavy-iron" warbird. Enjoy it, they are wonderful flying airplanes.

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Ryan Pemberton
www.pembertonandsons.com

Congratulations on the first flight! She looked great at Cavalcade of Planes this year and I was wondering if it was airworthy at that point. Beautiful workmanship on the restoration.

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Matt

Just beautiful! What a head-turner!

Oh that's pretty. Congratulations to everyone involved, what a beauty!

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Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG".
https://linktr.ee/zacyates

"It's his plane, he spent the money to restore it, he can do with it what he wants. I will never understand what's hard to comprehend about this." - kalamazookid, 20/08/2013
"The more time you spend around warbirds the sooner you learn nothing, is simple." - JohnB, 24/02/22

Beautiful, Jim!

I bet that Ranger sounds smoother than a Singer sewing machine!

So, you parking in warbirds or vintage at OSH?

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

Nice to see another fly. Well done.
For years Fairchilds have been neglected not only as warbirds, but as 30s "Golden age" civil classics as well. They've been very much in the shadows of Staggerwings, WACOs, Stinsons, Howards and the like.

Keep us appraised on your experiences with the Ranger, as there are a lot of "hangar tales" about the engine. It will be nice to get some first hand impressions and experience withone.

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

Those smiles say it all!
Congratulations, she looks like a real beauty.
Enjoy!

Andy

Awesome! Reminds me of the Fairchild 24 we used to own.

Stephen

The video on the One Drive wouldn't load for me. Anyone else?

Ditto, no video! Nice work on the Fairchild folks...she's a beaut!

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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

That looks great!!!! Anyone have contact info for these guys? I'm helping with a 1935 F-24 and have a few questions!

UC61K, any shots of the cabin? Thanks for sharing ya'lls gorgeous project!

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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

Dear UC61K,

You have a PM.

Regards,

Benno

Congratulations!

I have about 400 hours on my F-24W, and it's a wonderful machine.

And the Ranger is MUCH easier to find parts for than a Warner.

Have you seen my 53-page thread on Vintage?