Hey hilltop....aka Richard's restored 170

[KG]

When are we going to see some pictures of that "new" 170?

[170C]

Having had an opportunity to see that new 170 of Richard's a couple of weeks ago, I can tell you we all need to have photo's. It's a beautiful plane. Another strong contender for an award at the next 170 convention!

[hilltop170]

OK, OK, I've been travelling most of the time since I picked up 1715D from the restoration in Mena and haven't taken the time to sit down and put together some pictures, plus I haven't really taken any glamorous ones yet anyway.

The plane came out better than I thought it would based on some of the circumstances involved with the interior job. But in the end, the plane flies and looks better than I thought was possible.

The three shops involved with the final product all outdid themselves and I really appreciate their efforts;

Del Lehmann, owner of Mountain Airframe Services, along with Tony, Mike, and Del's son Tanner, all put a great deal of effort into trying to make sure the entire plane was done correctly. They did the wing and control rebuilding and all of the other mechanical and electrical work. Del managed the entire project while the plane was in Mena, coordinating with the other shops to make things go as smoothly as possible. His help with that was crucial to the success of the project. Del also did all the removal and re-installation of the interior, trim, and control surfaces, making sure everything was correct.

On its first flight after coming out of the shop, the plane flew straight and level, hands-off, for ten minutes on a calm evening. Del asked if I thought any tweeking needed to be done and I told him not to touch anything, it flew perfect. The same was true with the right hand landing light he installed. That night we flew again after dark and the lights were adjusted just right. Del's excuse for the perfect alignment of the wing rigging and landing light adjustment was he just set everything to specs. Now that's being humble!

Darrel Mos of Amos Painting did an outstanding job and told me he wished he could paint nothing but 170s as it was one plane he really enjoys working on. And he has painted a bunch of them from C5 transports on down. Darrel and I spent at least six hours laying out the pattern onto the plane and working out the details. And this was after I thought I had made all the decisions and had everything settled on the scheme. Once on the plane, it was obvious the original design was not going to work but he stuck with it until it was just right. At one point I told Darrel I hoped I was not causing him too much trouble. His reply was he would rather spend time with me actually laying out the pattern on the plane exactly how I wanted it rather than try to guess what I wanted thru emails or phone calls. I have to agree, that layout trip to Mena was worth the time, effort, and expense. I got exactly what I wanted.

Keith Rose, owner of Rose Aircraft Interiors usually does high-end jet and turbo-prop interiors, but agreed to finish the 170 interior after the untimely death of his cousin who was originally contracted to do the interior. Keith's crew did a fabulous job using the exact Scottish wool fabric I had originally wanted to use but could not find anywhere on this earth, even at the woolen mill where it was last made about ten years ago in Scotland. Miraculously, Keith had a roll with just enough fabric in his surplus stock so the job got done to the original specs after all.

I would not hesitate to recommend each of these shops to anyone who is considering repair or restoration on their airplane. These folks are all willing to do what it takes to make the job come out like the owner wants. And they are all good honest businessmen and southern gentlemen who enjoy what they are doing.

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[GAHorn]

WOW!

What a NICE JOB!

[KG]

I'll second that "Wow"... as expected, she's a beauty!

[jrenwick]

Gorgeous! I especially like the red leading edges.

John

[n3833v]

Just beautiful . Now you can really fly .

John

[johneeb]

Very nice!!!!!! Definitely out of the "Rat Plane Category".

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Very nice!!!!!! Definitely out of the "Rat Plane Category".

Leaves more trophies in that category for MEEEEE

[hilltop170]

Very nice!!!!!! Definitely out of the "Rat Plane Category".

Leaves more trophies in that category for MEEEEE

Bruce-
That was my only regret on this restoration, that you and I never got to compete head to head in the rat plane catagory! It would have been close and now you'll probably wipe up the competition.

[hilltop170]

Gorgeous! I especially like the red leading edges.

John

John-
Thanks, I thought you might like the paint, especially since I got some of the ideas from your plane. Remember those pictures I took of it behind the house on Hilltop Strip when you visited Alaska?

[hilltop170]

Just beautiful . Now you can really fly .

John

John-
Thanks. Yes we can fly now! It was tough though, waiting for it to get finished. It has been in the shop for over two years since 2006!

[hilltop170]

WOW!

What a NICE JOB!

Thanks George-
Now you're going to have to keep your strip mowed so the wheel pants don't get scratched up. And I too, can now land there after dark. Those new lights light up the countryside like a football stadium.

[hilltop170]

I'll second that "Wow"... as expected, she's a beauty!

Keith-
I appreciate it but Del, Tony, Mike, Tanner, Darrel, Keith, Mel Wick and his crew, "Mad Mike" Patterson, Gary and Scott from Northern Lights Avionics, and Bryan and Jim from Merrill Field Instruments should get the credit, not me, I just wrote the checks.

Come over to Texas and we'll go get a hamburger or some bar-b-q. I just happen to know a place.

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[wingnut]

I'll second that "Wow"... as expected, she's a beauty!

......I just wrote the checks.

AND brought the beer. Don't forget the beer