EAA Chapter 431 member Eric Berens of Stevens Point, Wis. celebrated a major milestone on the restoration of his 1929 Travel Air with the first flight on Friday, November 15, 2013. Eric sent the following information:
NC 666H is a 1929 Travel Air, Model 2000 with a Curtiss OXX-6 engine, dual ignition, liquid cooled, 102 hp, a 102″ Ole Fahlin propeller, 30×5 inch wheels. Restored by Kent McMakin at the Brodhead Airport. Chad Willie helped with the engine. It is painted in its original colors “Travel Air Blue”, with silver wings. Original period instruments are installed and the interior is duplicated from original fabric. Peter Bryn, a long time, well known Travel Air flyer and collector of Dazey, N.D. owned and soloed in this aircraft on October 24, 1936 and it remained with his family from whom I got it. Terry Bryn, Pete’s son, reviewed his Dad’s logbook noting that NC 666H’s last flight was October 24, 1937. So last Friday’s flight was its first flight in 76 years and 22 days.
Congratulations Eric!
NC666H takes off on its first flight after restoration.
Eric Berens talks to pilot Tom Hegy while Kent McMakin looks on.