Epps 1907 monoplane at NBAA 2007

[wright1902glider]

According to the NBAA website, there will be a reproduction Epps 1907
monoplane hanging in the enterance hall of the Georgia World Congress
Center for the NBAA 2007. In fact, it should be there right now.

Anyone going to, or at, NBAA 2007 in Atlanta? Anyone near Atlanta?
Can you get me a photo or better yet, some details of who built it and
possibly contact info if thats available? I've already emailed the
contact person at Epps aviation.

Those of you who know me already know that I've discussed this
aircraft several times on this group and have photos of it on my
walls. Its been on my build-list for 12 years. I'd fly out to Atlanta
myself just to see it, but I've got work obligations keeping me in
CO.

Any help and/or info will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Harry Frey
Wright Brothers Enterprises

[Bertie the Bunyip[_19_]]

wright1902glider > wrote in
ps.com:

> According to the NBAA website, there will be a reproduction Epps 1907
> monoplane hanging in the enterance hall of the Georgia World Congress
> Center for the NBAA 2007. In fact, it should be there right now.
>
> Anyone going to, or at, NBAA 2007 in Atlanta? Anyone near Atlanta?
> Can you get me a photo or better yet, some details of who built it and
> possibly contact info if thats available? I've already emailed the
> contact person at Epps aviation.
>
> Those of you who know me already know that I've discussed this
> aircraft several times on this group and have photos of it on my
> walls. Its been on my build-list for 12 years. I'd fly out to Atlanta
> myself just to see it, but I've got work obligations keeping me in
> CO.
>
> Any help and/or info will be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Harry Frey
> Wright Brothers Enterprises
>

I was quite interested in his liegth biplane of the early thirties and did
some research on it with a view to maybe building it and so came across a
good bit of material on the 07 airpane as a result. I sem to recall seeing
a site that was dedicated to it's construction and I think it was Geroge
Epps' grandson building or masterminding the replica.

I didn't save anything but I'll have a look.

Bertie

[Bertie the Bunyip[_19_]]

wright1902glider > wrote in
ps.com:

> According to the NBAA website, there will be a reproduction Epps 1907
> monoplane hanging in the enterance hall of the Georgia World Congress
> Center for the NBAA 2007. In fact, it should be there right now.
>
> Anyone going to, or at, NBAA 2007 in Atlanta? Anyone near Atlanta?
> Can you get me a photo or better yet, some details of who built it and
> possibly contact info if thats available? I've already emailed the
> contact person at Epps aviation.
>
> Those of you who know me already know that I've discussed this
> aircraft several times on this group and have photos of it on my
> walls. Its been on my build-list for 12 years. I'd fly out to Atlanta
> myself just to see it, but I've got work obligations keeping me in
> CO.
>
> Any help and/or info will be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Harry Frey
> Wright Brothers Enterprises
>
>



No, I found the reference to the airplane I had seen and t's his 1912
airplane which you've surely seen .
And of course it's Ben Epps.


Bertie

[wright1902glider]

On Sep 27, 8:01 am, Bertie the Bunyip > wrote:
>
> I was quite interested in his liegth biplane of the early thirties and did
> some research on it with a view to maybe building it and so came across a
> good bit of material on the 07 airpane as a result.



That was probably David Hill's website. He did quite a bit of research
into the 1924 light monoplane a few years back, including locating a
possible original engine for it. But I never did hear that he had
started construction.

One of the interesting things about the 1907 monoplane is that its V-
twin Anzani engine did survive. In 2003, Pat Epps gave me a
documentary video about his father that was produced by UGA around
2000. At that time, Pat's older brother Ben Jr. still had the engine
in his workshop and dug it out for the video. Ben Jr. has since passed
away, and in 2005, I moved to Colorado. But I'm sure that the engine
is still in the Epps family somewhere. It would be very interesting to
see it in an airframe again. It would be even better to see it driving
a propeller.

Harry

[wright1902glider]

The reproduction 1912 machine was built by Ben Jr. I think in the 70's
and was flown on several occasions before being donated to the Museum
of Aviation at Warner-Robbins, GA. I have seen it and its a very nice
reproduction.

Harry

[Bertie the Bunyip[_19_]]

wright1902glider > wrote in
ups.com:

> The reproduction 1912 machine was built by Ben Jr. I think in the 70's
> and was flown on several occasions before being donated to the Museum
> of Aviation at Warner-Robbins, GA. I have seen it and its a very nice
> reproduction.
>
> Harry
>
>
>

Brilliant. I'd loved to have seen it fly!
Yoj don't have any info on the last biplane by any chance, do you? I have a
couple of pics of it as well as the drawings from PA, but that's all I
have. I briefly considered building one but decided I didn't know enough
about building to go on the very sketchy info I had.

Bertie

[wright1902glider]

On Sep 27, 8:49 am, Bertie the Bunyip > wrote:

> Yoj don't have any info on the last biplane by any chance, do you?



The only two things I know about it are that it was built in 1930, and
that Ben Epps, Sr. was killed in it in 1934. Reports are that it had
an engine failure on takeoff and crash-landed. David Hill would
probably know more about it. You'll find his website on Google.

Harry

[wright1902glider]

On Sep 27, 11:51 am, wright1902glider >
wrote:

> The only two things I know about it are that it was built in 1930, and
> that Ben Epps, Sr. was killed in it in 1934.


Further investigation shows that those dates are inaccurate. Contact
David Hill and/or Google it for better info.

I FOUND A PHOTO OF THE REPLICA AT NBAA!
Its not a good photo, but you can make out a few details. The photo is
in the "Convention Floor" folder, image #1.
http://web.nbaa.org/public/cs/amc/2007/gallery/tuesday.php

Harry

[Bertie the Bunyip[_19_]]

wright1902glider > wrote in
oups.com:

> On Sep 27, 8:49 am, Bertie the Bunyip > wrote:
>
>> Yoj don't have any info on the last biplane by any chance, do you?
>
>
>
> The only two things I know about it are that it was built in 1930, and
> that Ben Epps, Sr. was killed in it in 1934. Reports are that it had
> an engine failure on takeoff and crash-landed. David Hill would
> probably know more about it. You'll find his website on Google.



OK, thanks. I'll do that.


Bertie

[Errol Groff]

On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 09:41:18 -0700, wright1902glider
> wrote:

>According to the NBAA website, there will be a reproduction Epps 1907
>monoplane hanging in the enterance hall of the Georgia World Congress
>Center for the NBAA 2007. In fact, it should be there right now.
>
>Anyone going to, or at, NBAA 2007 in Atlanta? Anyone near Atlanta?
>Can you get me a photo or better yet, some details of who built it and
>possibly contact info if thats available? I've already emailed the
>contact person at Epps aviation.
>
>Those of you who know me already know that I've discussed this
>aircraft several times on this group and have photos of it on my
>walls. Its been on my build-list for 12 years. I'd fly out to Atlanta
>myself just to see it, but I've got work obligations keeping me in
>CO.
>
>Any help and/or info will be greatly appreciated.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Harry Frey
>Wright Brothers Enterprises

My friend, Ford Martyn, who has since passed away built a replica of a
Ben Epps designed bi-plane. This was in the early 1970's.

In the summer of 2005 my wife and I were traveling out west after
Oshkosh and in the lobby of the Hampton Inn in Cheyenne Wyoming I
overheard the gentleman next to me say that his name was Epps.

Just as a lark I asked if he was related to the Epps family of
Georgia. He ask how I knew of his family and I told him about my
friend and the bi-plane. With a dead serious expression he told me
that his Grand-dad was Ben Epps and that his dad had traveled up to
Connecticut to see the plane my friend had built.

Talk about amazing. One fellow from CT and another from GA in a hotel
lobby in WY who had an aviation connection.

Errol Groff
EAA 60159

[Bertie the Bunyip[_19_]]

Errol Groff > wrote in
:



>
> My friend, Ford Martyn, who has since passed away built a replica of a
> Ben Epps designed bi-plane. This was in the early 1970's.


Wow. Good man!
A flying replica, was it?
Any idea if it's still around or what the registration was?


Bertie

[Ron Wanttaja]

On Fri, 28 Sep 2007 13:39:41 +0000 (UTC), Bertie the Bunyip > wrote:

> Errol Groff > wrote in
> :
>
> >
> > My friend, Ford Martyn, who has since passed away built a replica of a
> > Ben Epps designed bi-plane. This was in the early 1970's.
>
>
> Wow. Good man!
> A flying replica, was it?
> Any idea if it's still around or what the registration was?

Don't see anything like that listed with 'Martyn' as the builder's name, but
"Ben T. Epps" is listed as building N4975W, a "BEN T. EPPS 1930". 1964 is listed
as its manufacturing date.

Ron Wanttaja

[Bertie the Bunyip[_19_]]

Ron Wanttaja > wrote in
:

> On Fri, 28 Sep 2007 13:39:41 +0000 (UTC), Bertie the Bunyip >
> wrote:
>
>> Errol Groff > wrote in
>> :
>>
>> >
>> > My friend, Ford Martyn, who has since passed away built a replica
>> > of a Ben Epps designed bi-plane. This was in the early 1970's.
>>
>>
>> Wow. Good man!
>> A flying replica, was it?
>> Any idea if it's still around or what the registration was?
>
> Don't see anything like that listed with 'Martyn' as the builder's
> name, but "Ben T. Epps" is listed as building N4975W, a "BEN T. EPPS
> 1930". 1964 is listed as its manufacturing date.
>

That must be it since Ben Epps died in the original. Shame as it was a
pretty airplane. Looks like a baby Eaglerock. I believe the '30 biplane was
to go into production, but the accident put a stop to that, obviously.

Bertie

[Errol Groff]

Indeed it was a flying replica. I recall one day I was with him and
as we turned base for landing a P-51 zoomed in from the right on a
high speed fly by down the runway. We hit the wash from that plane
and rocked wildly. Ford's flying skill saved our bacon that day I do
believe.

I have no knowledge of what happend to the craft after he sold it. He
moved on to building a Steward Headwind. A sort of Aeronca C3 looking
plane. As plans built it had lift struts but Ford re-designed it to
have flying and landing wires. One night as we were working in the
loft assembling a wing another ai port ner- do- well came in a
commented "HA! I see you built two left wings!" We looked at the
wing leaning against the wall and the one on the saw horses and sure
enough that is exactly what we had done. We were able to save the
spare and two evenings later we had a RIGHT wing built and things
moved on. That was a long time ago now but I still miss my friend
greatly.

Errol Groff
EAA 60159




On Fri, 28 Sep 2007 13:39:41 +0000 (UTC), Bertie the Bunyip >
wrote:

>Errol Groff > wrote in
:
>
>
>
>>
>> My friend, Ford Martyn, who has since passed away built a replica of a
>> Ben Epps designed bi-plane. This was in the early 1970's.
>
>
>Wow. Good man!
>A flying replica, was it?
>Any idea if it's still around or what the registration was?
>
>
>Bertie

[Bertie the Bunyip[_19_]]

Errol Groff > wrote in
:

>
> Indeed it was a flying replica. I recall one day I was with him and
> as we turned base for landing a P-51 zoomed in from the right on a
> high speed fly by down the runway. We hit the wash from that plane
> and rocked wildly. Ford's flying skill saved our bacon that day I do
> believe.
>
> I have no knowledge of what happend to the craft after he sold it. He
> moved on to building a Steward Headwind. A sort of Aeronca C3 looking
> plane. As plans built it had lift struts but Ford re-designed it to
> have flying and landing wires. One night as we were working in the
> loft assembling a wing another ai port ner- do- well came in a
> commented "HA! I see you built two left wings!" We looked at the
> wing leaning against the wall and the one on the saw horses and sure
> enough that is exactly what we had done. We were able to save the
> spare and two evenings later we had a RIGHT wing built and things
> moved on. That was a long time ago now but I still miss my friend
> greatly.
>

Brilliant!
I know the headwind allright. I have some plans for it buried somewhere.
Excellent idea with the flying wires.

I've seen warnings about building two of the same wing alright, but I
didn't think anyone actually had ever done it! I made some wrong side root
ribs, having said that!

What engine did your friend stick on the Epps?


Bertie
>

[Errol Groff]

On Fri, 28 Sep 2007 22:26:57 +0000 (UTC), Bertie the Bunyip >
wrote:

>Errol Groff > wrote in
:
>
>>
>> Indeed it was a flying replica. I recall one day I was with him and
>> as we turned base for landing a P-51 zoomed in from the right on a
>> high speed fly by down the runway. We hit the wash from that plane
>> and rocked wildly. Ford's flying skill saved our bacon that day I do
>> believe.
>>
>> I have no knowledge of what happend to the craft after he sold it. He
>> moved on to building a Steward Headwind. A sort of Aeronca C3 looking
>> plane. As plans built it had lift struts but Ford re-designed it to
>> have flying and landing wires. One night as we were working in the
>> loft assembling a wing another ai port ner- do- well came in a
>> commented "HA! I see you built two left wings!" We looked at the
>> wing leaning against the wall and the one on the saw horses and sure
>> enough that is exactly what we had done. We were able to save the
>> spare and two evenings later we had a RIGHT wing built and things
>> moved on. That was a long time ago now but I still miss my friend
>> greatly.
>>
>
>Brilliant!
>I know the headwind allright. I have some plans for it buried somewhere.
>Excellent idea with the flying wires.
>
>I've seen warnings about building two of the same wing alright, but I
>didn't think anyone actually had ever done it! I made some wrong side root
>ribs, having said that!
>
>What engine did your friend stick on the Epps?
>
>
>Bertie
>>


Gosh, it was so long ago that I really don't have any idea. I seem to
recall that it was a flat four so probably Continental or perhaps a
GPU Lycoming. Just guesses but I am pretty sure that it was not
anything fnacy line a small radial.

Errol

[Bertie the Bunyip[_19_]]

Errol Groff > wrote in
:

> On Fri, 28 Sep 2007 22:26:57 +0000 (UTC), Bertie the Bunyip >
> wrote:
>
>>Errol Groff > wrote in
:
>>
>>>
>>> Indeed it was a flying replica. I recall one day I was with him and
>>> as we turned base for landing a P-51 zoomed in from the right on a
>>> high speed fly by down the runway. We hit the wash from that plane
>>> and rocked wildly. Ford's flying skill saved our bacon that day I
>>> do believe.
>>>
>>> I have no knowledge of what happend to the craft after he sold it.
>>> He moved on to building a Steward Headwind. A sort of Aeronca C3
>>> looking plane. As plans built it had lift struts but Ford
>>> re-designed it to have flying and landing wires. One night as we
>>> were working in the loft assembling a wing another ai port ner- do-
>>> well came in a commented "HA! I see you built two left wings!" We
>>> looked at the wing leaning against the wall and the one on the saw
>>> horses and sure enough that is exactly what we had done. We were
>>> able to save the spare and two evenings later we had a RIGHT wing
>>> built and things moved on. That was a long time ago now but I still
>>> miss my friend greatly.
>>>
>>
>>Brilliant!
>>I know the headwind allright. I have some plans for it buried
>>somewhere. Excellent idea with the flying wires.
>>
>>I've seen warnings about building two of the same wing alright, but I
>>didn't think anyone actually had ever done it! I made some wrong side
>>root ribs, having said that!
>>
>>What engine did your friend stick on the Epps?
>>
>>
>>Bertie
>>>
>
>
> Gosh, it was so long ago that I really don't have any idea. I seem to
> recall that it was a flat four so probably Continental or perhaps a
> GPU Lycoming. Just guesses but I am pretty sure that it was not
> anything fnacy line a small radial.

Just curious. The original had a 40 HP Ford and then a Cirrus or Gypsy
inline which looked perfect. Drawings were published for homebuilding
the airplane in Popular Aviation about 1933 or 34. I have those
drawings, but they're pretty sparse even compared to the other airplanes
published in that mag around that time like the Corbens and Heaths. An
experienced builder would have no problem but it's just something worth
thinking about for a future date when I don't have 20 projects lined up!

Bertie




>

[Peter Dohm]

"Bertie the Bunyip" > wrote in message
.. .
> Errol Groff > wrote in
> :
>
>>
>> Indeed it was a flying replica. I recall one day I was with him and
>> as we turned base for landing a P-51 zoomed in from the right on a
>> high speed fly by down the runway. We hit the wash from that plane
>> and rocked wildly. Ford's flying skill saved our bacon that day I do
>> believe.
>>
>> I have no knowledge of what happend to the craft after he sold it. He
>> moved on to building a Steward Headwind. A sort of Aeronca C3 looking
>> plane. As plans built it had lift struts but Ford re-designed it to
>> have flying and landing wires. One night as we were working in the
>> loft assembling a wing another ai port ner- do- well came in a
>> commented "HA! I see you built two left wings!" We looked at the
>> wing leaning against the wall and the one on the saw horses and sure
>> enough that is exactly what we had done. We were able to save the
>> spare and two evenings later we had a RIGHT wing built and things
>> moved on. That was a long time ago now but I still miss my friend
>> greatly.
>>
>
> Brilliant!
> I know the headwind allright. I have some plans for it buried somewhere.
> Excellent idea with the flying wires.
>
> I've seen warnings about building two of the same wing alright, but I
> didn't think anyone actually had ever done it! I made some wrong side root
> ribs, having said that!
>
> What engine did your friend stick on the Epps?
>
>
> Bertie
>>
>
IIRC, in the early days of the Vari-Ez, Bert Rutan maintained a BBS to
assist builders in exchanging as many as practical of the duplicate parts
they created. I have no idea how many there were, and no longer recall
whether the BBS was electronic or part of a paper newsletter, but it was
apparently not unknown at the time.

Peter