It Takes a Village to Build a Biplane

Having built three Hatz biplanes over the years, Rick Hansen, EAA 143651, knew his latest aircraft project would be a massive undertaking. Restoring a Travel Air is no small task. He went for it anyway. After years of work, Rick's 1929 Travel Air 4-D is finally complete and is a beautiful representation of the Golden Age of Aviation. For more on Rick's Travel Air restoration, check out the April 2021 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine.

[@coldsamon]

Never forget my ride on a 1927 Travel Air Biplane. That was 1993 at the Merced Antique Fly In 😊

[@arip9234]

That man and that airplane are works of art

[@storiesfromthedepthsofspac6413]

Back in 1980 I sold my Harley to to to Johnny Dore’s crop dusting school in Merrigold, MS. They were using Stearman for training. I fell madly in love with those old birds and biplanes in general. Beautiful work you’ve done. Thanks for sharing.

[@georgelmothershed5120]

This airplane outrigger landing gear and speed wing was owned by my father. I see that it still has the Wright J-67 engine. It was used as a crop duster from 1959-1964 over cotton fields in Arizona

[@ericgoldstein4734]

This is one of the most beautiful planes I’ve ever seen, and a beautiful, meticulous restoration. Thank you for preserving this bit of aviation heritage!

[@kobusgriesel1399]

Fantastic result, 👍

[@michaelbailey1578]

That is a beautiful airplane. I hitched a ride in one in 1973, when the author Richard Bach was on his Jonathan Livingston Seagull barnstorming tour. Thanks.

[@thomasdriver174]

That is sooooo beautiful!

[@peterlastrucci324]

Magnificent.. thank you for bringing that beautiful round engined biplane back to life!

[@jimmyboy163]

I'm rebuilding my fly baby 1B biplane and I'm loving it. You have a beautiful machine.....@4:10 love how the fuselage stripe follows the door instead of straight through 😊

[@alynnhiscox7303]

That is one of the top 5 most beautiful aircraft I have ever seen! Fantastic job!

[@donb4449]

Beautiful resurrection of a beautiful airplane Rick!! You must be extremely proud! The craftsmanship looks first rate. You also produce a professional video. Thanks for sharing this!!

[@jonahcilley7978]

Greetings from Ellensburg, WA!

[@seancollins8926]

Greetings again from Ellensburg, WA LOL!

[@larrymorrison904]

Beautiful restoration of one of the finest airplanes ever built!

[@elosogonzalez8739]

What a glorious Travel Air!! The 4-D has always been my favorite with the out-rigger gear and the speedwings! Spectacular restoration.
Can't think of a better place to donate it than the Beechcraft Heritage Museum in Tullahoma, Tennessee! Home of the Travel Air Serial number 1(graciously on loan from EAA) and the first Staggerwing built in 1932.(NC499N)
The Museum houses one of almost every model Beechcraft made. It is a tremendous collection of aircraft, memorabilia and history abounds in every building.
I hope you have many years of joy flying the 4-D, but when the time comes, I can't think of a more worthy location to reside for generations to come! Great video!

[@brucecook3297]

NICE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jankochanowski3252]

Great airplane, great craftsmanship. Pleasure to watch.

[@jamesbruzgis9476]

Absolutely gorgeous!!

[@tinolino58]

Beautiful airplane, beautiful colors, beautiful video! 😍

[@RVN782P]

Simply awesome Rick. Well done!

[@tanyatucjer]

Hello from Spokane! I was born in Yakima, one town to thes southeast of Ellensburg. I just happened across this video, I'm a subscriber now and I am mechanic with my A&P. I love it, keep her in AIR!!!⚓🇺🇸👍

[@arturoclaudett93]

Beautiful airplane and amazing craftmanship!

[@klesmer]

The article in Sport Aviation was really nice but it didn't do justice to hard work and craftsmanship that this video did. Thanks Rick and gang .

[@beegee22]

What a perfect restoration/recreation. Beautiful airplane!

[@paco_montsol]

This is a gorgeous plane, it’s basically a classic car with wings.

[@1fujimonk]

Wow! Thank you for sharing this incredible story. What a memorable achievement! Cheers and respect from Canada 🍁

[@UlHeiko]

What a Beautiful Airplane👍 Verry nice Job.....greetings from Germany EDRP😀✌

[@albertogarciaarango2411]

Beauttiful plane

[@evaldosobral]

Wow! She is beautiful!

[@PaulAnthonyDuttonUk]

Looks absolutely wonderful...

[@rotorheadv8]

Absolutely beautiful.

[@garyraines7511]

I was an apprentice Crop Duster Back in '59--My Boss in Harlingen Tx, Roy McArdle had TWO D-4000 Elephant Ear Travelaires--Duster and Sprayer/680In3 Lycoming. They were '28 & '29---a duster and a sprayer....Ironically, since Leland Snow was a Harlingen guy until he moved to Olney, Roy bought the very 1st SNOW S2B...sold both Travelaires to an old Duster who Had Flown them in the 30's.

[@Syed-zp5oi]

Only one word ....Big salute .......

[@JasonRiley276]

Such a beautiful plane

[@TheMarcball]

Great stuff. But I hate the clarinette wailing in the background...

[@j.g.2065]

It so beautifull!!

[@fariborzrad]

Love it.....

[@isflippin]

Nice

[@jessicarodriguez-xz7yj]

How expensive was this??

[@peternicholsonu6090]

Don’t ask. It’s impolite