Introduce your Navion! Photos, please!

[JamCoats]

Yes, you can upload photos here! And it doesn't take an act of Congress to find them! I'll start... N8897H. '47 E-225, currently enjoying spa treatment at Navion Customs. Formerly owned by Zaddie Bunker and Bob Douthitt (the younger), transcontinental raced in the 1960s by Bob Sr. and Faye, cameo actor in "It's a mad mad mad mad world", and soon to be coming home to split time between AL and NC. Sports probably more airframe mods than any 225 flying. Many thanks to Shane Rogers, Ryan Douthitt, and Stephen Stinis for helping me save this one from neglect.

IMG_0537.JPG (246.28 KiB) Viewed 10244 times

[llangston1]

Hello, This is Leo Langston from League City, Tx, just south of Houston. My plane is a ‘49 Ryan A model ‘4937K. It was originally the executive airplane of the Indiana State Police. Most recent owners were David Fretwell who was a Yahoo group member and Bernard Drum. I purchased the plane a year ago this week. The plane is still a 225 with a MV diaphragm prop but has had many “speed” mods over the years. Flap gap seals, internal aileron balances, main wheel ramps, leading edge wing/fuselage fairings, bubble windshield, rear step. I was a discontinued pilot from the 70-80s who restarted flying after the Basic Med regs took effect. I owned a Swift back then and my Uncle Fletcher Callaway turned me onto Navions when he restored N51TA back in the early 90s and gave me andy kids a ride and let me fly it a little. Once I started flying again I knew a Navion was for me. The plane is a joy to fly and requires just the amount of tinkering to keep me occupied in retirement. It’s annual is now due so hopefully nothing terrible will be found.

[NA-952H]

Hello Leo:

Good to hear about your return to flying and that you’ve chosen to fly a Navion .

Here is 952H as she was when I purchased her and hauled her from eastern Ohio to Traverse City Mi , then as she is today polished and painted .

Thanks to the guidance of Blackjack,Rusty and Dick McSpadden & others the project was a success

Sam

[Spad]

Navion 5318K. Owned by my dad for some 35+years. Currently hangared in Frederick, MD.

[llangston1]

Now that was a project!

[JamCoats]

Doggone, these are some good looking airplanes!

And Leo is right... what a project!

[Dmfinley]

Just got my Navion.
Now the Fun begins.

318A08BC-668A-4CF1-95F7-F4D04854B346_1_201_a.jpeg (2.08 MiB) Viewed 10217 times

IMG_1516.jpeg (221.36 KiB) Viewed 10217 times

[JamCoats]

David, I know that airplane and I know it well. For many years, it sat derelict at my home airport, 9A9 (Shiflet Field) in Marion, NC. It was reconditioned by Dale Lunsford, Lynn Mace, and Ricky Gardener at Aviation Technology in Marion in the early 2000s. Owned by Bill Ledbetter until he passed away. I actually looked at buying it this summer when it was for sale at KFQD! And yes, the fun ALWAYS begins!!

James

[JamCoats]

Come on, guys! 52 members in this group so far, and only 5 airplanes! Where them Navions?!

[NAviator]

ED76186F-B368-4F3B-818F-36BC7FC92702.jpeg (2.19 MiB) Viewed 10189 times

Hello all, N613CA is a 1946 IO-470-H model based at KAPA Colorado. Coming up on 5 years of ownership this January since bringing her up from MS.