griesel

Jan - Mar 1953; Arsenal Technical High School; Indianapolis, Indiana; Airframe shop.
The instructor had his own airplane in for restoring. It was big; green; had a big
radial up front and was a Fairchild. He said it could haul a pilot, full fuel and a ton of
freight. What I can come up with is a model 71 or earlier version; except that this
plane had a wheel instead of a stick. He was going to fly Alaska bush with it. All the
pictures of 71 cabins show a stick. Which Fairchild was it?

Tango Juliet

Is it possible you are mistaken and it was a Stinsen?

Robinaire

My Feedback: (23)

Back then, there were still some 1930s area Bellancas in use, which were real load carriers, especially the one with wing-shaped struts! Can't recall the model. I'll check my Janes. Lee Robinson W.P.B.

JohnBuckner

My Feedback: (1)

Possibly the Fairchild 100-A or the American Pilgrim 24A (Fairchild) both of which were capable of those kinds of load. Both had small production runs but have not been able to ascertain if a column or stick was used.

griesel

It was a Fairchild and it had a column. I don't recall it being as ugly as
the 100 or 24A. Is there any way to track down aircraft by registration number?

griesel

Possibly he as referring to an overloaded condition as it is common now and then.
Full fuel would be about 148 gallons for a 71. This would weigh 910 +/- 52 lbs.
Maximum gross weights for a 71 are listed as 5500, 6000, 7000 pounds depending
on sub model but mainly which engine. Taking the largest version with a gross
payload of 3595 pounds and assuming 200 pounds for pilot and 50 pounds for
arctic survival gear and 962 pounds max for fuel would leave 2383 pounds for
cargo.

N1EDM

My Feedback: (2)

Do a search on Google for the registration number. That might pop you into the FAA database if the airplane is still listed there.

Bob

khodges

My Feedback: (1)

Searsh "FAA Registry". It will hit on a site where you can look up any registered aircraft in the US by owner's name, N-number, make and type, or state and county of registry.

Taildragger726

http://www.landings.com/

Glasair2

My Feedback: (93)

Sounds like a 24W. Warner radial powered Fairchilds.....nice!!

http://www.airventuring.org/fairchild/ground1.php

griesel

I looked up Wikipedia Fairchild 24 and with a pilot and fuel, the payload is far less than 1000 pounds.
It is a very nice 4 place plane with generous allowance for luggage, but a 1 ton freight hauler
it aint. It had to be a 71 or its predecessor.
Thank you for the reply.
Dave