The restorer’s mentor has been steadily plugging away on his latest project, a Beechcraft B-17R Staggerwing that sits only a few serial numbers away from Louise Thaden’s 1936 Bendix race winning Staggerwing.
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While the airplane is storied in its history, the reality of bringing it back together is an immense undertaking. Like most meaningful restorations, progress is measured in many small victories that eventually add up to something whole again.
To move the project forward, the mentor spent considerable time in Tullahoma, Tennessee at the Beechcraft Heritage Museum, during their annual fall gathering, Beech Party, researching Staggerwings and gathering details to guide next steps.
This aircraft is an earlier Staggerwing, and most surviving drawings reference later models. While earlier drawings do exist, they require careful interpolation to achieve the correct fit. That detective work has become part of the process.
Shorter, narrower, and lighter than the later D17, this aircraft will eventually carry a larger nine cylinder radial engine, waiting patiently to be fitted to the fuselage once the structure is ready.
One interesting detail that comes up in conversation is that the same cowling and attach points are used for both the seven and nine cylinder engines, a practical design choice that simplifies some aspects of the build.
Those conversations between the restorer and his mentor have been invaluable. They dig into Staggerwing construction, common problem areas, and the clever solutions Beechcraft engineers used nearly a century ago.
The small, intricate work that makes up the wings and fuselage takes time. Tiny structures add strength without unnecessary weight, which is the hallmark of the design. Remarkably, this Staggerwing is only about 100 pounds heavier than the mentor’s previous project, a Waco Cabin. Combined with that nine cylinder Wright R-985, it is no wonder this Staggerwing cruises around 200 miles per hour.
The mentor is nearing completion of the first of four wings. He estimates roughly 700 hours of work per wing over the course of the project, with additional time required on the first one simply to establish the process.
This project arrived with a wing to use as a reference and jigs from a previous Staggerwing restoration.
The intent had been for the previous owner to make this his personal aircraft after completing a Staggerwing for a customer. Once the customer’s airplane was finished, this project was set aside.
The restorer’s mentor became aware of the Staggerwing while sourcing parts for his Waco Cabin project. Although his focus at the time was on the Cabin, the Staggerwing eventually made its way to his shop on a car hauler pulled by an old ambulance.
A few small wood parts were fitted to the fuselage, other components were carefully stored, and the project waited patiently for its turn.
Included with the airplane were jigs used by the previous owner to construct various structural components.
Those jigs are now earning their keep again in the fabrication of new parts for this project.
The only way to complete a large project like this is steady, regular work. Many evenings, the shop lights stay on as the mentor quietly nips away at another task.
Once this wing is complete, he plans to turn his attention to the control surfaces before diving into the remaining wings.
That comparatively quick win should help maintain momentum. Along the way, the mentor and restorer continue to identify parts that will need to be fabricated because they are no longer available.
Considering this Staggerwing was completed in 1935, that comes as no surprise.
Watching the wing come together has been a lesson in both patience and craftsmanship. The wooden structure is beautiful in its own right, even if it will eventually be hidden beneath fabric.
It is a reminder that progress often comes one careful piece at a time, and that small wins are what keep big dreams moving forward.
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