The Champ has won 4 Grand Champions and 30 trophies attending 19 air shows.
Best Aeronca Champion #N83633 By Melvin B. Hill 102 Ash St. Danville, I L 61832
Aeronca N83633 has been a typical Aeronca, from trainer to sprayer. The aircraft was completely re built in 1973 by Don Freitag and his son. It was re covered with Stits process throughout, with Stits Aerothane paint. Four hours after rebuild, the aircraft was over turned in a tornado at Burlington, Wisconsin in April 1973. Tom Johnson acquired the plane in mid-1973, and rebuilt the wings and cabin damage. I bought the plane at that point, and with the help of my friend, Vic An drews, finished the cowl, wheel pants and assembled and repainted it in time for Oshkosh 1974. We are quite proud of the way it has been received .. The air craft has won 3 straight in class at Oshkosh, and once at Ottumwa. It has won 4 Grand Champions, and so far has 30 trophies out of 19 air shows.
The plane has the 205 hp engine, wi th the Hart nell prop . It has the Jourdan-Flanigan spar modifica tion . Climbs 23 x 23 at 1100 ft.lmin. with 2 passengers at 101 mph indicated. At 9000 ft. it will true out at 162-164 mph, at 2000 rpm and 19.5" Hg, using 8.1 gal. per hour with four passengers. I painted her as closely as possible as the original. She is polished aluminum with flaming red stripes. I removed the dingy black trim . The bare outline of the numbers on the wings are still discernable. I reskinned the aileron with aluminum, also the one ruddervator. I still have one ruddervator to reskin. When I purchased the plane last May, the old mag nesium skins were quite far gone. The Bonanza looked almost black. My son, Matt, and I used Turco 1000 to brighten it, then the whole family polished and pol ished. We used Never-Dull wadding, Met-All glass wax, turtle wax and Acro Sheen. It all added up to work. For excessive oxidation, one can carefully use a 1% solution of HFL (hydroflouric acid). Note I under line 1% (10cc HFL to 1 liter of H20) . The plane is very docile and lands at 55-60. The Bonanza is the best flying aircraft I have ever flown. I have friends who have newer ones who say that mine outperforms theirs. I first soloed a UPF-7 in 1943. Mr. Colvin of Beechcraft Co. was very helpful in giving me hints and history at Oshkosh this year. He knew the plane. Again, you can't imagine how I enjoy the Bonanza. One of the best classic planes for transportation and good looks!
Best Beech Bonanza #N32440 By Waldy Malouf
700 Delaware Ave.
Palm Harbor, FL 33563
I am pleased to write about my 1947 Beech 35 (straight) Bonanza. The Serial No. is 689. She was placed in service in August 1947 and delivered to General Shoe Corp. of Ohio.
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