John Secord

Walk out front of your plane and look at it. Is it standing level or is one wing much lower than the other? Also, you tires should be vertical. If the top of the tire is leaning in, that could be a weak spring. For the tail, I don’t remember the exact measurement, but the trailing edge of the elevator should be about 11 or so inches off the…[Read more]

Jim…. how do I know if I need Springs?
Jay Herrin

Donald, it’s an honor to know someone that knew someone that knew Charles Lindbergh! That’s quite a story.

As far as three pointing the airplane, I try to do that on the grass. I’ve tried on hard surface but it’s not pretty. My now deceased friend, Captain Chuck Downey, who flew Helldivers in WWII off the USS Ticonderoga, three pointed no matter…[Read more]

The only alternative to crawling back to the tail and greasing it from the inside is to grease it from the outside. First, I found a few things that make greasing from the inside a bit easier. Raise the tail to level, remove belt, shoes and anything that will get caught on anything and make sure you have everything before you go in! While in…[Read more]

The only alternative to crawling back to the tail and greasing it from the inside is to grease it from the outside. First, I found a few things that make greasing from the inside a bit easier. Raise the tail to level, remove belt, shoes and anything that will get caught on anything and make sure you have everything before you go in! While in…[Read more]

Donald,

Congrats to your dad for restoring and preserving a great piece of American aviation history! I’m glad that your OTW is alive and well. With your experience you shouldn’t have any problems with the OTW on pavement. If you can fly a Champ, you can fly the OTW. It’s an elegant lady!

In lieu of a published crosswind component, it comes down…[Read more]

Re fresh air: at least in early versions (I own s/n 254) there is an opening at the base of the inclined bulkhead at the rear of the hatshelf. This opening is rectangular and about 3 sq. in. It exhausts cabin air into the tail cone, and modestly helps airflow through the cabin. It is often covered with upholstery. Mine has a cover perforated…[Read more]