Randy

Continental A 40 engine tested on the Junior

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Maintenance record entry shows in 1933,  N10907 was issued an “Experimental or Restricted license to determine the feasibility of Continental A 40 engine in this type aircraft, to replace Szekely engine which is no longer manufactured. ”   This work was done by Airtech School of Aviation in San Diego California.

Records do not show the outcome of  the testing, except  that the Szekely was reinstalled.

Thanks,,,,, Randy

Contact me randy@curtisswrightjunior.com

Piasecki PV-2

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The history of the Piasecki  PV-2 helicopter is included here.  The experimental prototype was constructed using the fuselage and other parts from a Curtiss Wright Junior.

The article can also be found by going to “Interesting Articles” on the menu.

Thanks,,,,, Randy

N10943 is For Sale

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For all of you that have been asking about buying a Junior, here is your chance.   N10943 is available. It comes with a Szekley engine and an extra set of wings. Don’t miss your chance to fly one of these.  Select this link or go to the Classified page for further information.  Let’s keep another one flying. 

Thanks,,,,, Randy

N662V Serial Number 1044

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N662V Serial Number 1044. This aircraft came out of the factory March 31, 1931. The last registration was in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on January 13, 1932. I have no photographs.  

N661V

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📌The next aircraft that I have information on is N661V, Serial Number 1043.


The photograph and the following information was received from Alex Davidson:
“I got into historical research on the beginning of the (Curtiss) Essex airport Caldwell NJ (KCDW). In the process I have collected some of the Curtiss-Wright Review Magazines.”
The attached is a photo of one in front of the first hangar at Caldwell. It is either a 31 or 32 photo. The Curtiss- Wright Flying Service closed up in the fall of 32 and the sign, on the hangar, was removed. It was then called Caldwell Wright Airport.”

The aircraft was manufactured March 31, 1931. As I understand, this photograph is on display at the Caldwell New Jersey Airport. Registration was cancelled September 1, 1939. More information can be found by selecting “All Aircraft” dropdown above, and select N661V.

All Aircraft

644V

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📌 N644V Serial Number 1026. This airplane was manufactured March 31, 1931. It had a short life as there was a notice in the records that it had been “totally wrecked” by June 22, 1931. It was registered to Continental Airways in Chicago at the time of cancellation. My research does not show any connection with Continental Airlines.

Thanks,,,,, Randy

Recovering from a flat spin

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During early in the history of the Curtiss Wright Junior, there was an issue concerning aft balance problems when completing spins. Because of this safety issue, the Civil Aeronautics Commission (CAA) issued a bulletin that required the airplane be flown solo from the front seat. The circular also stated that if a spin was performed successfully from the rear seat solo in view a CAA inspector, a wavier to allow solo from the rear could be issued.

I have a letter from a pilot who completed the required spin testing under the observance of the CAA Inspector Before beginning the maneuver, the pilot said he managed to make it to about 6800 feet above the airport after an hour or so. He stated that he wanted “as much space between himself and mother earth as possible.” Under the CAA observation, he began the test by entering a power off-spin.

In his words;

“The Jr. made a little over a half turn and went flat. It was so flat and seemed to be descending so slowly, I believe if I had come all the way in, it would have only blown out the tires. All controls had absolutely no effect, and the Zekeley (engine) had quit. Therefore I had nothing left to make a recovery with. I didn’t want to bust (the owners) new airplane or my butt, so, since I was descending so slowly, I decided to remove my chute and climb around the cabane struts to the front seat. I hardly had time to fasten my belt (in the front seat) before the Jr’s nose started down into a normal spin. I landed, dead stick, on the airport. Needless to say, (the CAA Inspector) didn’t lift the spin restriction.”

I believe it must have been and interesting ride.

Thanks,,,,, Randy

 

 

N663V

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I bought this photograph of N663V in an auction.  Unfortunately I have no further information.  Please help me fill in the history.  Do you recognize the aircraft of where the photograph was taken?  You can reach me at randy@curtisswrightjunior.com 

Thanks,,,,, Randy

Major Henry J. Giere

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I received the following email and photographs  from Michael Giere concerning his father:

“Sir, I found your website and email address when I was researching a Memorial Day story about my father, a life-long pilot with over 19,000 hours, who was killed in 1969. I’ve enclosed a photo taken in 1936 of my father leaning against a CW Jr when he was 17. I’ve taken the liberty of attaching the article I wrote about him. He would have been 100 yrs old this month.
(My father, second from left squatting with crew somewhere in the south pacific.)
 
With warm regards and best wishes.”
(Michael Giere)

 

George K. Jehanian (looking for information)

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Rust and Grease Grandpa’s Shop was a blog-post I found a couple of years ago. Apparently  the blog owner was the grandson. I have attempted to contact the owner, but have had no luck.  The grandfather had an automotive repair shop in West Philadelphia in the 1930’s.  His name was George K. Jehanian.

It also appears that he was the owner of one of the Curtiss Wright Junior’s.  Attached are a couple of photo’s from Rust and Grease.  Any information you might have would be appreciated.  randy@curtisswrightjunior.com

Thanks,,,,, Randy

Mauldin

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This photograph came from “Brownsville Station” Facebook site.  Their caption read: 1931  “1921 “Learn to fly for $100 (11 hours) in the New Curtiss Wright Junior.  Rides $1.00. Les Mauldin – Brownsville Airport’ written on a custom-made spare tire cover; his daughter Junita on bumper.  Photo taken in McAllen Texas.

post

Thanks,,,,, Randy

Mystery 9

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Here we go with the next mystery.  This one is in the form of a question:

 “What major airline operating today (although merged with another air-carrier and now uses the other carrier’s name), once owned and operated a Curtiss Wright  Junior CW-1.  

Don’t just guess, but have a rationale for the choice you make.

Email me at randy@curtisswrightjunior.com

Thanks,,,,, Randy

N11810 — This is an Interesting Story!

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Below is a portion of an email I received from Chris Harbourt.

Hi Randy,
Great website!  I have a picture of my grandfather Leonard DeLalio on
Long Island NY when he was the owner of this plane as a youth maybe
16ish.  Attached a photo and a picture of a model he made of the plane
later in life.  Your records showed it was lost to fire in the 40’s
with a different owner, but here is a picture of that airframe earlier
in its life.

Thanks Chris, for your story and the photographs of your father and his model. 

If anyone else would have something to share, please email me randy@curtisswrightjunior.com

It is about time

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It is about time, Randy.  I have promised to update the website and add additional information.  I am now using a new theme and page builder.  I am trying to bring some color into this sites life.

The major change that you will see is in the “All Aircraft” dropdown.  I divided the aircraft into 5 different sections by Registration Number.  It should help in page loading speeds.  

I am still loading information into the “History” and “Photograph” selection for each of the airplanes.  

I am still looking for any information that you might have.  Send it to Randy@cutisswrightjunior.com.

Thanks,,,,, Randy

Mystery 8

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Select Mysteries and go to Mystery 8  Person above to see a photograph I just uploaded.  I received the photo with a number of others, but I am not sure whom is in the picture.  Any help would be appreciated. Email me at randy@curtisswrightjunior.com.  

 

634V Photographs uploaded

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Jim Ladwig sent me some photos of one of his dad’s airplane.  Harold had once owned 634V in addition to 11804.  He flew 11804 on the airshow circuit in the 1950’s.  Go to “All Aircrafts” and select the photo next to the registration number for more information.  Thanks Jim.

Night Watchman Crashes a Curtiss Junior

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From Popular Aviation August 1931

 

Night Watchman Crashes a Curtiss Junior

CHARLES MURRAY, 20-year-old student pilot and night watchman at the Denver,  Colorado,  Curtiss-Wright aviation filed, was tired of staying on the ground. It was 5:30 a.m. and none of the officials would be at the field for several hours, and by that time the thrill of an early morning flight would be gone. The possibility also existed that the field officials would deny him the privilege of taking a   plane. Murray eyed a shiny new Curtiss-Wright Junior parked in the hangar.

“Who would be the wiser if I took the junior up for a flight and then put it right back?” Murray thought.

The sight of the plane was too much for the air-minded youth, and he pulled the plane out on the field and took off. The flight was huge success, Murry told Capt. Ralph Hall, the field manager until he prepared to land, AND THEN,,

Murray was within fifteen feet of the ground when he made a sudden turn, which caused the plane to nose dive. The youth crawled out from beneath the wrecked plane with a badly cut face and a wrenched shoulder.

 

The rest of the “rest of the story”

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In the last post I asked the following question; In the 1930’s what political event in the country of Venezuela concerned a Curtiss Wright Junior CW-1?  The fist correct I got was from Freddie Pedrique.  Here is his answer:

YOU ARE  TALKING ABOUT  NC11848  S/N 1222 BOUGHT BY MR. MARCOS SARCOS  PORTILLO IN 1932. THIS AIRCRAFT WAS CONFISCATED IN VENEZUELA BY GRAL. JUAN VICENTE GOMEZ,  DICTATOR OF THAT COUNTRY,   WHO FEARED THE AIRCRAFT COULD BE USED TO HELP OVERTROW HIS GOVERNMENT.

I asked the above question after receiving information from another viewer of the website.  That original information came from Alejandro Irausquin Aeronautical Engineer, Civil Aviation Historian / LAAHS

Read the entire story by selecting Mystery 7 under the Mysteries tab above.

The Rest of the Story

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I always enjoyed the Paul Harvey programs called “The Rest of the Story.”  I have just posted Mystery 7 to the Mysteries link above.  It is not so much a mystery as it is a fact brought to my attention by one of our readers. The question is:

In the 1930’s what political event in the country of Venezuela concerned a Curtiss Wright Junior CW-1?

An aviation historian in Venezuela sent me information last week that answers the question.  I will give the rest of you a couple of weeks to get me the answer before I tell “the rest of the story.”  You can leave a comment above this page or send me an email randy@curtisswrightjunior.com.  It is a very interesting story and helps us  track the history of one specific CW-1.

Individual Aircraft Histories

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I have gathered a lot of photographs and history on over 150 of the  Curtiss Wright Junior airplanes built.  To see those photos and read what specific airplane history I have found,  select All Aircraft link above,  find the registration number for the airplane  and then select the photograph or logo to the left of the registration number.  The history and photographs come from a various sources.

 

2 CW-1 Junior Projects for sale

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I have been contacted by the owner of 2 Juniors.  N11803 and 11804.   He states that ” my father owns two Curtiss Jrs. Including SN 1182  and the other is the previous SN,  1181.  The latter is covered and is ready for an engine, it had a 65hp continental and has cub wings, and 1182 is just a fuselage.” You can call Mike Hanson at 312-547-9992.  Photos will be uploaded later.

Interesting Fact on N11851 Serial Number 1225

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In going through some paperwork on Serial 1225,  FAA records show that for a couple of years (1932 – 1933) this plane was licensed “Experimental” as it was demonstrating the use of an  Augustine R-4-40 engine.  Elsewhere in the file, it states that it was a two-cycle air-cooled engine.  At that time it was registered to a Norman P. Augustine of Buffalo New York.  It is interesting that the registered owner and the engine name are the same.  Anyone know about an Augustine engine?

New information on N 698V, N11868, and N11869

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I found a copy of “List of commercial and touring aeroplanes registered at the Air Communications Bureau” of Mexico .  The list is dated November 30, 1931 and includes the following aircraft:,  X-BAEN was issued to N698V, serial 1060, engine serial number 865.  X-BAES was issued to N11868, serial number 1236, engine serial number 1125.   X-BAEU was issued to N11869, serial number 1239, engine serial number 1126.

N10923 aircraft in the Netherlands

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I just uploaded a photograph of this aircraft taken at the crash scene in the Netherlands.  The aircraft crashed on January 28, 1934. and the photograph came from the accident report.  The report is in Dutch and I am trying to get it translated.  Select All Aircraft above and then select the photograph for N10923.

N10998 and N10993 History

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Recently I received an email from Bob Woods. He found curtisswrightjunior.com while searching information on the CW-1.  He was researching his grandfather,  Autrey Monsey, who lived in San Angelo, Texas. His grandfather and another a man named Truitt Young were killed in the wreck in N10998 on November 20, 1932. He sent me copies of the death certificate which gave a narrative of the accident. He also sent a copy of an estate inventory that shows that Autrey owned two aircraft. In addition to 10998 serial number1176 that was wrecked, he owned 10993 serial number 1171. Also  provided to me was court document that reveals that 10993 was sold to Luther Reed on October 20, 1933 for a sum of $150 with an interesting stipulation: “… as a part of the consideration for the sale of such aeroplane that the same will be put into licensable condition by the purchaser within six months of this date …” Thanks for the information Bob.  Because of you we have information on two more aircraft.

Looking for Weight and Balance information

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I received an email from long time CW-1 historian and owner of numerous Curtiss Wright Juniors over the years.  His assistance has been invaluable in gathering information for this web site.  His father owned N11804 and that story is on the “Aircraft” page. Any help would be appreciated.

  Hi Randy,

I am getting around to working on balance and trim calculations for the CW-1.  For almost 50 years I have had a used copy of the book Technical Aerodynamics by K.D. Wood, which features the CW-1 in many of the exercises, but I have not yet worked out those problems.

Getting a copy of the weight and balance sheets for existing Juniors would be of great help to me, especially those powered with the Szekeley engine.  I am trying to calculate how much nose weight is needed with a Continental engine installed.

If you can help, contact me at randy@curtisswrightjunior.com

New Information Received on N11810

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In a package from the National Air and Space Museum archives, I received an accident report on N11810 that shows it was lost in a ground fire during starting in 1941.  Go to the aircraft on the “Aircraft” page and select the “Curtiss Wright logo” to view the report.

Important Information

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FAA registrations now expire on a regular basis

In case you are not familiar with this, the registration for your airplane expires after a certain length of time. You may be thinking that registration is not important if your aircraft is on display at a museum, or is just setting in storage awaiting rebuild. Remember though, if you don’t renew that registration, your assigned “N” number can be put back on the “Available” list and it can be issued to another airplane. Not only can it issued to another airplane, the airplane file kept in Oklahoma City might go to archive and these archived files are often had to get. So even if you don’t have immediate plans to fly, make sure you keep the registration current. It is important that you keep the registration up to date. If you are having a problem keeping current on registration or have registration questions, drop me a line at randy@curtisswrightjunior.com

Information on aircraft located in Netherlands PH-AGZ serial 1105

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I received an email from Jan Evert Leeuw from Enschede, the Netherlands.  He shared with me a website that had a photograph of this aircraft and another with some hsitory.  Select “Aircraft” above and scroll down to  N10923 (Registration PH-AGZ in the Netherlands.)

This is just one example where friends all over the world are helping in our search for the history of the Curtiss Wright Junior CW-1.  “Jan, thanks for the help.”