Blog Archives

John Hodgson Stearman N56914 and Stearman N450SH “Ol’Harry”

john_hodgson  N450SH

“I would not want anyone but Ernie to touch my Stearman. Thanks Ernie for a 1000 + hours safe flying.”

Ernie has looked after my Stearman planes for over 15 years. Both the stock Yellow Peril that was the 7th Harry Halajian built and the 450 custom that Ernie built from the stock fuselage Harry had finished with a Continental 220 on the front. Modifications including the P&W R985, four ailerons with servo tabs, balanced elevator, Beech 18 cowl tapered and ovaled to fit the Stearman firewall with operating cowl flaps, aluminum wheel pants, retractable landing and taxi lights, smoke system, video camera system, IFR 6 pack in the rear cockpit, 3510 pounds gross weight etc etc required numerous 337’s...

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Joe Keenan North American T-28B N787AS

Keenan-T-28

“I have owned North American T-28s since 1983. I am on my second. Ernie of Vintage Wings and Wheels has been the only one to repair or do an inspection on my plane, since he went into business.  In 2009 I had an unforeseen in-flight engine failure and was forced to leave the plane at Byron Field after a dead stick landing. Ernie made the necessary trips to Byron to remove the engine and everything firewall forward. After getting a fresh overhauled engine, Ernie took it up to Byron and along with all the other parts and accessories he had rebuilt did a field installation. I was able to fly the plane out. Ernie has never done anything but the finest work with great attention to detail.”

“Keep up your airspeed!”

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Byron Roberts Stearman N5321N “Stripes”

byron_roberts

“I highly recommend Vintage Wings & Wheels for all ‘old’ aircraft maintenance.”

“My partner and I have used Vintage Wings & Wheels since we bought our Stearman 450 in 2001. Ernie and Beate will go the extra mile for their customers/friends (if you own a Stearman you are Ernie’s friend whether or not you use his shop). Over the past years Ernie has gone out of his way to accommodate: flying his own Stearman to our hangar to get ours airworthy, flying us back and forth to leave or pick-up our Stearman and working for us on weekends when necessary, and all this at a reasonable price. I highly recommend Vintage Wings & Wheels for all ‘old’ aircraft maintenance.”

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