I used to taxi past that poor, sad old bird at KUDD for almost all of the 20 years it sat neglected. So surprised and happy to see she has been given a new lease on life. Beautiful job on the restoration.
My affection for the Navion goes back to the TV movie "Family Flight". Later I had a Navion as part of my security check @ a local airport. I always thought of it as a 4 seat Mustang...lol. This one is gorgeous. 👍👍
We had a beautiful Navion on the ramp at Southbridge MA - destroyed in the 6/1/11 tornado that also destroyed my hangar and my first Cirrus. At the time, four of us co-owned a 1942 Fleet Finch biplane RCAF trainer. Still amazed at the difference in appearance and performance for two airplanes only four years apart.
as a former 1947 North American NAvion owner (N8645H) I miss her more than I ever thought I could, beautiful flying or sitting one of the best aircraft designs-ever, now I have just memories. (North American built NAvions had the NA in caps. Ryan Navions Have a Cap N.
IO-550 Continental would be my choice of engine. I believe that there is a STC for the ac/engine upgrade. Geared engines are super expensive to overhaul. Beautiful job of restoration ! There is one here that is flyable that needs very little work. Its owner flew it last year to another airport to avoid ramp fees.
Question: How is it a “restoration “ with a glass cockpit? I love the plane and the work done but I’m stuck on the word “restoration”. Just wondering...
Restoration, in aircraft always means the airframe. A plane like this, needs to be able to utilize the entire airspace system, and an old radio stack does not allow that. Also, no-one makes vacuum tubes for radios anymore. 1947, was a few years b4 solid state circuitry....
GO-435 - No wonder it sounds like a Commander or a Twinbo-my dad bought one in 1965 that had been flipped in a windstorm and had the gear punched up through the wings - paid $1500 for it -but after going to all the trouble of finding a partner to invest in a restoration , buying another Nav for parts , etc. Dad’s health gave up and he had to sell his interest in it .
I will add with the full 45 degree flaps- the aircraft could safely be landed at 50 MPH. they went from slow flight to fast taxi without issue. the B model with the geared Lycoming more difficult to land- by comparison. mine -N8645 H was a 225 HP.
Did I hear correctly that you installed a Lycoming GO-45 engine? I googled the model and got no hits. Is it a GO-145? That doesn't seem right, since that model is a low-horsepower 4-banger.
Beautiful plane, I just wish this 1940s classic wasn't wearing the boring every-single-Cessna-Skyhawk-since-1995 paint scheme. Modern interior is great, but this should be wearing a classic paint scheme. Either way, great to see a plane resurrected and brought back to life!
There some very nice beautiful more classic paint schemes along with several that have Military schemes. They're all beautiful. I wanted something a bit more unique. YMMV
No original canopy, This particular airframe was one of the first to have the sloped windshield installed back in 1974. When the restoration was done in 2011/2012, I opted for the larger rear window kit. The canopy was completely rebuilt and we modified the original air scoop on top that ducted into the Osborne headliner kit.
Christian Forbes It is the original engine for this aircraft.This is a Navion B, which was built with the 260 hp Lycoming GO-435 geared engine as original equipment.
The E225 was changed out in the early 1970's for the Lycoming GO-480. I kept it the same for a couple reasons. That powerplant is a great match for the Navion airframe. It performs so well. Then the sound. It sounds like a mini Mustang when you fly by. Truly unique. A lot of people are afraid to fly behind a geared engine. That's fine by me. Just means more parts are available if/when the need should arise. A geared engine teaches you to be a better pilot with careful planning especially on decent. As long as you don't do anything with the throttle too fast, you'll have no issues. I also burn 12.4GPH between 8-10K at 175 MPH TAS. The boys running the Continental 550R are burning closer to 17GPH.
Wow. What could sitting on the ramp for $100K and have extra tens of thousand $$$ sitting in the bank. But, it sounds like he had money to burn so why not do it. As a body shop owner I used t ask guys why they were restoring that 65 Pontiac Lemans or Buick Skylark or a Porsche 912? When had they could have done a GTO, GS or 911 for the about same amount, in the end they would be way ahead in value.
It's about being passionate about the process and end result. As I stated in the video, I wanted to rescue one. Besides there's much more to the story that was left out in both the article and brief video.
Somebody should build this as a homebuilt and use foam/epoxy/fiberglass and carbon fiber... for the wings and emphenage...sort of like a big Lanair with an attitude!!! :)..🐦
Absolutely gorgeous! Worth every bit of the effort that went into it.
Unbelievably gorgeous! By far the best looking Navion I have seen to date.
That video made me smile. Congrats Dave. Always admired the old Navion.
Its freaking gorgeous!
Post-war Mid-Century beauty! Thanks for bringing her back to life!
I used to taxi past that poor, sad old bird at KUDD for almost all of the 20 years it sat neglected. So surprised and happy to see she has been given a new lease on life. Beautiful job on the restoration.
My affection for the Navion goes back to the TV movie "Family Flight". Later I had a Navion as part of my security check @ a local airport. I always thought of it as a 4 seat Mustang...lol. This one is gorgeous. 👍👍
Beautiful plane and great sound , front cowling reminds me of a 172
Love the Navions and Rangemasters!! GREAT Airplanes!!
Thanks for rescuing such a jewel fast machine. Seen many cars these days costing as much, but only good for the road..
Beautiful Navion
We had a beautiful Navion on the ramp at Southbridge MA - destroyed in the 6/1/11 tornado that also destroyed my hangar and my first Cirrus. At the time, four of us co-owned a 1942 Fleet Finch biplane RCAF trainer. Still amazed at the difference in appearance and performance for two airplanes only four years apart.
It's beautiful. My dad owned one in the late 70's and I'm very fortunate to have logged 750hrs in it. Navion are wonderful flying airplanes.
fishin n flyin 👍
Man.. You are a lucky son.
Truly beautiful!
as a former 1947 North American NAvion owner (N8645H) I miss her more than I ever thought I could, beautiful flying or sitting one of the best aircraft designs-ever, now I have just memories. (North American built NAvions had the NA in caps.
Ryan Navions Have a Cap N.
I have a picture of this Navion in my gallery, sitting next to a Cirrus. My choice, Navion, or Cirrus? Navion hands down! Beautiful, just beautiful!!
I own a Navion, and would never consider a newer plane really. The others here are older- Much older.
I was lucky enough to meet these guys and get a ride backseat in this plane today. Yep, in love with this bird 😊
What a beautiful airplane!
👏👏👏👏👏👏 Great job!
Fantastic Job! I can only dream...Thx
A work of art 👌
Beautiful
Thanks, and outstanding job. It's beautiful! Is the engine a 260 hpr Lyc? Does it cruise about at 75% and 8,000'? Enjoy.
Beautiful!!
One of the most beautyful plane of the yesterday. Now, is the great plane with plus perfomance
This is A National Treasure... For me its.
Jeez that’s a gorgeous airplane
NICELY DONE.😃
Sweet! Always wanted one.
Wow the sound of the engine makes you wanna compete Awesome did he say power plant is lycoming G045 geared could that fit in a 172
GO-480
IO-550 Continental would be my choice of engine. I believe that there is a STC for the ac/engine upgrade. Geared engines are super expensive to overhaul. Beautiful job of restoration ! There is one here that is flyable that needs very little work. Its owner flew it last year to another airport to avoid ramp fees.
Question: How is it a “restoration “ with a glass cockpit? I love the plane and the work done but I’m stuck on the word “restoration”. Just wondering...
Restoration, in aircraft always means the airframe. A plane like this, needs to be able to utilize the entire airspace system, and an old radio stack does not allow that. Also, no-one makes vacuum tubes for radios anymore. 1947, was a few years b4 solid state circuitry....
@@ConvairDart106 Not sure if you understood the point. Plus, "before" is the way the word is written.
Nice. It's a wing-rockin' great ride!
GO-435 - No wonder it sounds like a Commander or a Twinbo-my dad bought one in 1965 that had been flipped in a windstorm and had the gear punched up through the wings - paid $1500 for it -but after going to all the trouble of finding a partner to invest in a restoration , buying another Nav for parts , etc. Dad’s health gave up and he had to sell his interest in it .
I never knew a Navion can be IFR equipped.
I will add with the full 45 degree flaps- the aircraft could safely be landed at 50 MPH. they went from slow flight to fast taxi without issue. the B model with the geared Lycoming more difficult to land- by comparison. mine -N8645 H was a 225 HP.
a great job. I am not a pilot but like this sort of video.
Yeah, it takes the passion to spend the money, it also takes having the money to be able to spend the money.
I always like the Navion. As close as you can get to a fighter plane like the P-51 in civil aviation.
it is affectionately called the poor mans P-51
it was known as the "poor mans P-51"
Any video of the restoration? The plane looks beautiful! Very nice work!
Thank you. No video, but there are a several photos in the various albums. facebook.com/n4110k
Good work
built in 1947....looks like it was designed today....good looking plane for sure
10 times better than any Cirrus!!
Did I hear correctly that you installed a Lycoming GO-45 engine? I googled the model and got no hits. Is it a GO-145? That doesn't seem right, since that model is a low-horsepower 4-banger.
Lycoming GO-480 I mumbled in the video a bit..
Not a fan of the paint scheme... but what a gorgeous airplane this is!
Looks like an RV paint job
The Navion is a classic airplane; the Cirrus is a plastic toy
Beautiful plane, I just wish this 1940s classic wasn't wearing the boring every-single-Cessna-Skyhawk-since-1995 paint scheme. Modern interior is great, but this should be wearing a classic paint scheme. Either way, great to see a plane resurrected and brought back to life!
There some very nice beautiful more classic paint schemes along with several that have Military schemes. They're all beautiful. I wanted something a bit more unique. YMMV
They look so much better without tip tanks.
Looks over function... Love the range tip tanks provide
New canopy ?
No original canopy, This particular airframe was one of the first to have the sloped windshield installed back in 1974. When the restoration was done in 2011/2012, I opted for the larger rear window kit. The canopy was completely rebuilt and we modified the original air scoop on top that ducted into the Osborne headliner kit.
I'd like to know about the decision to use a geared engine
Christian Forbes
It is the original engine for this aircraft.This is a Navion B, which was built with the 260 hp Lycoming GO-435 geared engine as original equipment.
The E225 was changed out in the early 1970's for the Lycoming GO-480. I kept it the same for a couple reasons. That powerplant is a great match for the Navion airframe. It performs so well. Then the sound. It sounds like a mini Mustang when you fly by. Truly unique. A lot of people are afraid to fly behind a geared engine. That's fine by me. Just means more parts are available if/when the need should arise. A geared engine teaches you to be a better pilot with careful planning especially on decent. As long as you don't do anything with the throttle too fast, you'll have no issues. I also burn 12.4GPH between 8-10K at 175 MPH TAS. The boys running the Continental 550R are burning closer to 17GPH.
WOW!
Show de bola...
This guy has too much money! :)
Wow. What could sitting on the ramp for $100K and have extra tens of thousand $$$ sitting in the bank. But, it sounds like he had money to burn so why not do it. As a body shop owner I used t ask guys why they were restoring that 65 Pontiac Lemans or Buick Skylark or a Porsche 912? When had they could have done a GTO, GS or 911 for the about same amount, in the end they would be way ahead in value.
It's about being passionate about the process and end result. As I stated in the video, I wanted to rescue one. Besides there's much more to the story that was left out in both the article and brief video.
Somebody should build this as a homebuilt and use foam/epoxy/fiberglass and carbon fiber... for the wings and emphenage...sort of like a big Lanair with an attitude!!! :)..🐦