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N10998 and N10993 History

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Recently, I received an email from Bob Woods. He found curtisswrightjunior.com while searching for information on the CW-1.  He was researching his grandfather,  Autrey Monsey, who lived in San Angelo, Texas. His grandfather and another 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 the 10998, serial number 1176, that was wrecked, he owned 10993, serial number 1171. Also  provided to me was a 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.

Mystery 5 Solved

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Mystery 5 has been solved.  Select Mysteries to the left and select Mystery 5  and see the new information.

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 regularly

In case you need to become more familiar with this, the registration for your airplane expires after a certain length of time. You may think that registration is not essential if your aircraft is on display at a museum or  in storage awaiting a rebuild. Remember, 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 be given to another aircraft, but the airplane file kept in Oklahoma City might go to the archive, and these archived files are often had to get. So, keep the registration current even if you don’t have immediate plans to fly. You must 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.”

Posted Mystery 5 Video

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Just posted Mystery 5.  It is another video from You Tube.  “Mysteries” on the left and then “Mystery 5”. Help me find out about the airplane and pilot.

Posted Videos of Brian Coughlin Flying 10991

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After 60 years 10991 is back in the air.  Since I now know how to embed videos, here is a chance to see it fly.  “Aircraft” on the left and then“10991” will get you there.  You have to supply the popcorn.

Serial number 1086 located

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I saw this in the Yanks Air Museum in Chino, California.  While in California a couple of weeks ago, I spent about 20 minutes at their facility before they closed for the day, and I had to head back home.  The aircraft is currently N10860, but it came out of the factory as N01904.  Yanks Museum will be on my radar for a return trip. Select “Aircraft” above and then “10904” to see my photographs and find the link to their site.

Mystery 4 Has Been Solved

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Well, it was at least partially solved.  Select “Mysteries” to the left and then “Mystery 4″ to find out more.

A Curtiss Wright Junior on Floats???

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This CW-1 Junior is on floats.  Imagine that EDO Corporation put their floats on it.  The photograph is located under Aircraft and 10963.  Select the photograph on the page and you will see a larger version.  Thanks to Jim Ladwig for the photo.

Uploaded history from N11804 and Harold Ladwig

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Over the past few months I have had the opportunity to talk with Mr. Jim Ladwig, a real expert in the history of the CW-1.  I met him and his wife at Oshkosh and Brodhead and he showed me a picture and told me about his father.  His father flew a CW-1 on the air show circuit in the late 40’s and early 50’s, but I will let him tell the story. Read it for yourself and see the video of his dad flying in an air show by selecting “Aircraft” on the left and then the photograph under “N11804”.  Thanks Jim!!!! 

Mystery # 3 has been solved!!!

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This one was solved by Mr. Bob McBride of Arkansas.  He is interested in building a replica someday, so if you have any information, send me an email, and I will get it to Bob.  Go to the “Mysteries” page and select “Mystery # 3” link and you will find what the helicopter pictured below has to with a Curtiss Wright Junior.

Mystery Number 4 just uploaded

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This mystery comes from Jim Bradshaw and concerns a relative of his,  Texaco Oil and Shawnee Oklahoma.  Jim is trying to identify the aircraft in the photograph which was flown by his relative.  Select “Mysteries” to the left and then “Mystery 4” and see if you can help us.

 

I Made Contact with the owner of N10966

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I have been in touch of the owner of 10966.  He resides in Virginia and purchased the aircraft as a project and brought it down from New Jersey.  Go to the “Aircraft” page and select the photograph under 10966. There you will find photographs he supplied me of how it appeared when he purchased it.  The fuselage had been out in the weather for a number of years, but most everything else had been stored inside.  Looks like the aircraft is complete.  What a find.  More to follow.

New research information included on curtisswrightjunior.com

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Last Thursday, I received an extensive collection of research papers from George Copland of Duncan, Oklahoma.  I spent most of the weekend digesting the material and only read through a portion of it. George has completed quite a bit of research on the Curtiss Wright Junior and entrusted me with his data.  His study included correspondence from many of the owners of the Juniors from 50 or so years ago.  He spent a lot of time at the FAA records center in Oklahoma City, reviewing their records.  He identified many of the aircraft, and I took his research and added it to the aircraft included on the serial number page of this website.  With his serial number list and what I have found,  we have identified about 130 individual airplanes by registration and serial number. Unfortunately, many of them are no longer with us.  Click on the “Serial Numbers” link at the left and see what we have identified.  By looking at the color codes, you will find some of what we know of their history. If you know what has happened to any of the others, I would appreciate any information you would like to share.

More later about what I found in his research.

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Package Received

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I received a requested package from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.  It is a listing of the historical information they hold on the Junior.  I will be ordering some of the drawings at a future date. Help!! Some of the drawings listed on the NASM report are from the 1970s and include the name “Nelson.”  Does anyone know about these later drawings?  The package also contained a copy of an article published by Paul R. Matt on the Curtiss Wright Junior CW-1 published in Historical Aviation Album No. 11 June 1972.

Mystery Number 2 has been solved

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By Jim Ladwig.  He recognized that aircraft as his and was located at the EAA fly in  Rockford.  He says there was a Curtiss Wright Junior forum at the fly-in.  Although I was there, I did not know about the meeting.  Was there anyone else in Rockford in 1968 that has found this site?   OK, there is one more mystery.  To find the mysteries, look to the left and click on “Mysteries.”