Jeremy Young's WACO INF N11466 Project-
Many of you know my Grandfather John Thurmond. He is an extreme Waco enthusiast as was my Grandmother Louise. My little family and I decided to spend a few years of our lives selling some of my Grandfather’s belongings to cover his current medical expenses, as he is suffering from the final stages of Alzheimer’s. I know my Grandfather would want some of his prized belongings to stay in the family and be shared with others who appreciate there importance. I have decided to under take the challenge of restoring my Grandfathers favorite Waco, the INF. If any of you have any advise or suggestions I would be very grateful for any help. I helped my Grandfather restore a 1929 Curtiss Robin and start a 1928 Waco GXE 10 project, however I am feeling a little overwhelmed with this project from my lack of experience.
DESCRIPTION
The INF is a Kinner B-54 125 hp powered bi-plane. It is very similar to the popular Warner-powered RNF, the only difference being the power plant. The INF has dual controls with three-place seating. In the Western Flying magazine of January 1930 and add states that test proved the INF & RNF could land and take off in less than 50 yards! We will just have to see…
HISTORY
This airplane was born on July 30th, 1931. It is serial number 3159, and N11466. The INF, when delivered from the Waco plant, had the fuselage, rudder and vertical fin painted black and all wings, stabilizer and elevator painted silver. The fuselage had a vermilion strip edged in gold. It was sold to Central Aeronautical Corp. in Indiana. The INF then proceeded to pass through six different owners before it ended up in pieces out side a hanger in El Paso Texas with an estimated airframe time of 1800 hours. Grandpa found it July 19, 1959 and rescued it. Grandpa then spent one year restoring it to flying condition (he must have spent 12 hours a day every day to accomplish this!). The INF took it’s first test flight after Grandpa’s restoration August 20th, 1960. Grandpa painted the INF Baby blue fuselage with yellow wings and a yellow strip. February 1st of 1973 Grandpa recovered the INF after a little ground loop and painted it all Yellow with a black strip with red edging. Only 2164 total hours are on the INF currently. Grandpa first took the INF with him to Tucson where he first rebuilt it, and then moved to Justin Time air field in Texas. After Justin Time TX my Grandparent’s moved to Animas New Mexico where I am currently living with my family.
RESTORATION
Grandpa’s Log Books are to say the least very vague. I know he started out with a Kinner B-5, and then switched to a Kinner B-54 after he moved to Texas. The INF has been in a Hanger since my Grandfather rebuilt it. So it appears to have been babied for that time period. I have decide to use the Stitts Poly Fiber process on this project.
Engine:
I want the INF to be a fairly decent traveler. As I hope to visit as many Fly-ins as possible. The engine appears to be in very good shape. I have decided to have Al and Brad Ball of Antique Aero Engines do there magic to this engine to prove it reliable. I have a few extra parts for the Kinner so I hope we can keep it running for a long time. Many people have told me to put a W670 Cont on it to make it more reliable. As good as that sounds I want to keep the Aircraft original and make my Grandfather proud as I know he would pound me in the after life if I do that dramatic of a change! I’m sure the Kinner will prove reliable with the proper care and laitance. I will also be using a Wood Sensenich prop, as the Ham Standards and Curtiss reeds I have for it are not as user friendly, and I know Grandpa wanted to keep a wood prop on it.
Wings:
When I uncover the wings I was expecting the worse and found perhaps the best. The wood is in excellent shape and very useable. There are however a few mud dauber homes through out the wings. Those pesty wasps get every where! The ailerons will need to have some work done to them as the have been crunched from the fabric a little and moister as gotten to parts of them, but nothing to cry about. I was fearing the wings were going to be a mess, and they ended up boosting my confidence in finishing this project sooner.
Fuselage:
Thus far the fuselage appears to be in great shape. There is no current repairs on the frame. I am currently working on completely striping the fuselage and trying to get it in a shop to be bead blasted to see if there are any other areas that might need attention. I am going to replace all the wood tubing sheaths as well as the front and rear panels of the turtle back. The stringers are in great shape as well as the separators.
I have been told to remove the original tail wheel and replace it with a Scott 3200. I have been told this will dramatically improve the ground handling of the aircraft. I am a fairly new pilot having only flown our J-3 Cub. I am tempted to convert to this tail wheel for that reason. I am just worried about taking away from Waco’s design and engineering… which is to say the least way beyond my capabilities. I am very open to suggestions in this matter.
I will be using an original style control panel. My Grandpa currently has a Kollsman Airspeed that rates to 300 mph… this is one Fast INF! I have the original instruments and will be getting them overhauled for use.
All the original cowlings and metal is in excellent conditions. These will be striped and reused. Windshields will need to be remade as the old ones are cracked. My Mother, Grandparent’s youngest daughter is going to reupholster the seats in leather as well as create a leather interior instead of fabric.
CONCLUSION
I have set some very lofty goals for myself on this project. I believe if I stick to my schedule and keep the quality of my work I will be able to finish this project in 2005. I plan on working on this project at least 8 hours a day. I want to paint the INF in the original colors as when it left the Waco Company. I have a lot of support and help coming with this task from my Family as well as friends. Anyone wanting to come stay with us and help out is welcome!!! I also share my Grandfather‘s passion of Antique Airplanes. I hope to see more people my age involving themselves in this community of wonderful airplanes. It seems I am vastly out numbered at the fly-ins I attend. I know my 15 month old son is already showing his love for airplanes…like he has a choice in the matter. This gives me hope the INF will see many more years of skies and wind whistling through its flying wires. I love being apart of the Waco community and closeness that seems to radiate from it’s members. Anyone who would like to come visit the ranch is more than welcome, come flying or driving. The runway is groomed and looking for company. Come see some of the neat old items my Grandfather accumulated before they are gone to other homes. Special thanks to Neal Goodfriend for his pattern in writing up this project report. I will try to keep the club updated with the progress being made.
Jeremy Young, 155 Adams Ranch Road, PO BOX 372 Animas, NM 88020. Home 505-548-2740, Cell 505-313-5359, Jeremy@taircraft.com
To see photographs of Jeremy's project click on the following links:
Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5 Photo 6
