In article ,
Bertie the Bunyip wrote:

Orval Fairbairn wrote in newsrfairbairn-
:

In article ,
Bertie the Bunyip wrote:

Orval Fairbairn wrote in
newsrfairbairn-
:

I just received the 2008 Vintage Airplanes calendar, with my plane
as
"Miss January!"

See: http://www.tide-mark.com/vintage-airplanes.html


Nice. Seen a good few Rockets for sale in the last year or so.
Strange
since I don't think I've seen as many in my life!

The last one (#7) was on ebay and belonged to a freind who died. His
heirs don't fly and didn't know how to sell a rare bird. It went to
another resident here (presumably at a "steal me" price, including
spares). I have been in contact with the new owner and expect to do
some
formation flying with him. He has been waxing enthusiastic over it.

The other one was the 1993 Oshkosh Grand Champion Vintage and is
available (not at a "steal me" price). There are three presently
flyable.


OK, that sounds more like it!
That one on Ebay was tempting allright, but I got too many projects as
it is!
I've seen one or two Rockets, probably at OSH, so presumably one of them
was your's over the years. IIRC SA had one on the cover a few years
back, and I think I saw your name next to an article on one as well.
An exciting time in aviation, that. The Bonanaza, the Rocket, new light
twins of all descriptions. It looked like the future of design was
bright and yet, aside from a few tupperware airplanes there's nary a
production airplane in sight that can outperform your Rocket.


A local friend called me about the one on ebay -- I told him that it is
a good plane and that I have known it for the past forty years and three
owners. The first of the three was a former CBI fighter pilot, who loved
the plane but had to sell it because of finances. The last bought it in
1967 and lavished it with attention -- he died two years ago at 87. The
new owner has a Duke, an L-39 and a T-34, but I think he will LOVE the
Rocket.

The plane needs new cover on the rudder and an AD on the prop, plus some
carburetor adjustment. We will do the rudder and prop here; he will fly
it down and meet me and a photo ship for some two-ship formation pix.

We will probably post on eaa288.org.