1939 Porterfield

Terry B · Post by **Terry B** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 10:18 pm

Well it is the Hanger where we can talk about anything ... well ... almost anything. I have a question for ya'll. If anyone has delt with antique airplanes, I am looking for possible places where I can get some information on a Porterfield airplane. I have obtained a project to rebuild at a price I couldn't refuse.

I have read in the past where some people had obtained drawings from the Smithonian for different projects. I have found very little information by just searching the web. This plane will be co-owned by myself and a flying museum.

Any suggestions would be appriciated.

Terry B

(back to do some more searching)

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 10:24 pm

Yah Terry,

Thereis a group of VERY knowledgeable people at www.homebuiltairplanes.com and they are all about antique airplanes, one off designs and u-lights!

They are good with engines and oddball questions.

Check them out and tell the Admin, Jake that Captain John sent ya!

Jake is a great guy!

CJ

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 10:25 pm

BTW, what the heck is it??

CJ

Post by **Spike** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 10:48 pm

Try the Garber facility. They might have documents/prints or know of a place where you could find some. They used to give tours and this is where my Father and I went to see things such as the Enola Gay when it was being restored. I was actually allowed to touch it. Something I'll never forget. Anyway, here is their website. Hope that helps.

-- Spike

hngrflyr · Post by **hngrflyr** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 2:06 am

I helped my flight instructor retrieve a Porterfield from a grass strip about 60 miles from home in early 1958. It had been years since it had flown. We went down there in the Cessna 120 I had soloed in, ferry permit in hand and got it running and flew it home. As I remember, it was only a little slower than the 120. Surprising! I wasn't 17 years old yet, but had a couple of solo x countries in by then. That airplane was restored later by a local antique airplane restorer, and won awards at Oshkosh.

Terry B · Post by **Terry B** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 7:23 pm

The Porterfield is a light high-winged cabin monoplane with seating for two arranged in tandem. The Porterfield was put into porduction for the anticipated training needs of the Civilian Pilot Training Program preceeding WW II. It has simularities of the Cub, T-Craft (L-2), and the Aeronca from a distance. With a standard 65 hp Lycoming, Continental of Franklin engine, the airplane can achieve 106 mph, cruse of 94, climb 800 fpm stall 40 mph and a range of 300 miles. Wing span 34'9", length 22' 8" and height of 7" 3". Empth weight 700 lbs and max wt 1200 lbs. The airplane was made by the Porterfield Aircraft Corp in Kansas City Mo.

A cute little plane and as good a conventional geared trainer as the "Big 3" from what I have read. Ill try to find a good pix.

Terry B

ps The wings are proceeding on the Fokker DR I Tripalne. This last weekend I was able to get one wing completely rib stitched and taped and half of another wing stitched. Man, that is rough on the fingers.

EDIT: And yes a RV is still in the plans. With the tail time I'm getting in the Museums Cub, the RV probably will have the third wheel in the back.

hngrflyr · Post by **hngrflyr** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 9:29 pm

That's where the RV's third wheel belongs, but like a Cub, it is not.

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 9:47 pm

Yah! What they said!!!

CJ

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 8:58 pm

http://www.sun-n-fun.org/content/interi ... rfield&p=1

This is a Porterfield, easiest thing I could find

salute

Terry B.

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 9:09 pm

Cool, that is about what I had pictured in my mind's eye.

CJ

Terry B · Post by **Terry B** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 1:53 pm

Thanks for the input all. I was able to locate the gentleman that holds the design rights to the Porterfield airplane and have made arrangements to get copies of any drawings he has available.

Work is progressing on the Fokker DR I. I am now a rib-stitching, wing-taping, nitrate-dopping, bungie-cord tying son-of-a-gun. Also got some practice forming aluminum access doors and some hand-squeezing of rivets. Pretty soon I will have the confidence to tackle the RV. Just wanting to do some more metal-working.

cheers

Terry

Post by **Spike** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 2:11 pm

Sounds to me like you should have more than enough confidence to work on the RV series. I would think it takes more skill to build a tube & fabric than it does working on aluminum. Do you have any pictures of the Fokker?

-- Spike

Work is progressing on the Fokker DR I. I am now a rib-stitching, wing-taping, nitrate-dopping, bungie-cord tying son-of-a-gun. Also got some practice forming aluminum access doors and some hand-squeezing of rivits. Pretty soon I will have the confidence to tackle the RV. Just wanting to do some more metal-working.

Submitted via email

Terry B · Post by **Terry B** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 8:49 pm

http://www.vintageaviation.org/aircraft ... 50205.html

The above is from last months workdays. The first picture is the fuse getting the firewall built and in the background is a Fokker D VII. I'm the one working on the wing in the second picture in the dark shirt and blue cap.

http://www.vintageaviation.org/aircraft ... index.html

The above link is the main Fokker page.

Alot has been done since those pictures have been taken. The web page hasnt had the lasted update posted.

As for the RV, I'm planning to hit all the members up at the next EAA meeting to let me catch a ride in a couple different models. Almost positive I'am going with the taildragger, just gotta figure out which one (got to get the lady of the house a ride as well to get her input). Ya know....If momma is not happy....NO ONE IS HAPPY.

Cheers

Terry

ps God I like being to say that in public.........Fokker, Fokker, Fokker (sorry couldn't resist)

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