The Journey Begins!

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Boarding passes are printed! Weather looks solid VFR for next couple days, Uber Ride is pre-arranged, Check is cut... Tommorow 1859V will be mine!

Thanks so much to all of you who have helped me with this process, and answered questions and given me so much information I've needed along the way, and thanks in advance for all the questions I will have going forward once I'm resposible for the care of one of our "miniwagons". I'm beyond impressed with the familial aspect of this group and consider myself lucky to be joining you all. There is one member who has gone above an beyond in helping me, a big thanks to you- you know who you are, thank you! 59V is your step-plane as far as I'm concerned.

I'm 39 years old, this is a life long dream, and it still doesn't seem real that its coming to fruition, in 18 hours or so. I've been infatuated with flying since I was a little boy of 5 or so, My license was great, joining a 12 person C-172 club was terrific, but it still wasn't a bird of my own, and now thats happening. I feel humbled. I hope I can fly for at least another 29 years and say I flew 59V when she turns 100! I will update this thread the best I can as the journey comes together with some pics and such along the way.

To my new family: Thank You!

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Congratulations!
Stay safe! (Snow here for the next several days...)

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Welcome Raymond! It's great to see your enthusiasm. Coming from your 12 person group owned 172 you'll think you died and went to heaven. I can't believe that more people are not smart enough like you are to see the value in these airplanes. You are not only an owner. You are also a museum piece curator and docent. You've also got good company up there in Michigan. Keep us informed.

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Congratulations!
Stay safe! (Snow here for the next several days...)

Thanks John! We’re traveling from SE Nebraska to Grand arapids Mi area... overnighting it in Ottumwa Monday.

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Welcome Raymond! It's great to see your enthusiasm. Coming from your 12 person group owned 172 you'll think you died and went to heaven. I can't believe that more people are not smart enough like you are to see the value in these airplanes. You are not only an owner. You are also a museum piece curator and docent. You've also got good company up there in Michigan. Keep us informed.

Good point on being a curator! I feel a connection to this era plane as it’s from when my grandparents I was very close to would have been young with my grandpa fresh back from WWII...

I’m going to stay in the club as the share isnt worth a ton and dues are only $60 a month so it gives me access to a very capable 4 person plus luggage plane (180hp version) when need be. But it’s almost hour drive from home so fun flying never happens. Now it can-6d6 is 3 miles from my doorstep. It also just isn’t the same when it’s not truly yours...the club is a glorified rental- though nicer than typical rentals around here. I’m looking as forward to the hanging around the hanger as much as I am the flying.

I spent boatloads of time researching the right make and model and am confident this is the right one. I’m planning on eating a lot of pancakes on styrofoam plates next summer now! I’m also very geeked about becoming a tailwheel driver! My instructor going with me as I still have the endorsement to earn. I’m fortunate our local instructor is a tailwheel guy himself through and through not just licensed to teach it.

I’ll post pics of the trip as I can

Raymond

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I’m officially a curator of N1859V!

Trips gone smooth so far! Plane was everything I expected, she’s very nice. Though plenty of little spruce ups I can do, freshen up some gap seals, touch up some paint, etc... she flew well, runs nice. Ran nice, except for a second or two when some rookie 140 driver pulled the mixture out instead of the carb heat! Oops! Jack my instructor believes a new tailwheel would do wonders to her, he says it’s an old cheap maule maybe... he’s thinking it would cut it for grass but could make pavement tougher than need be for a rookie tailwheel pilot like me..

We couldn’t dawdle once to the field she was at as some gusty winds were coming into Ottumwa late in day. We got in just as they were picking up. Supposed to be ok by morning. Archangel fbo at KOTM is awesome, we got her in hanger for night and they gave us a loaner car, no beater either, Chevy something with 13,000 miles.

Had one of best meals I ever had, Bubba Qs I think it was called. We both ate to we were miserable! Highly recommend!

Now some time for some Zz’s been up since 3am and launch for 6d6 in the morning w a fuel stop at C97 in Lowell IN.

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Congrats Ray,
Looks like you found a very nice one. Have a safe trip back.
Looking forward for some more pictures.

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6D6 - you are in between Victor Grahn and myself. My 140 is currently at KFNT. I am sure our paths will cross, I try to make a lot of the dawn patrols, etc. in our area.

Congratulations on the 'new' airplane. It is a journey and hopefully a fun filled rewarding one for you. Hope to hear your report of arrival soon!

Regards,
John von Linsowe

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She's home to 6D6!!! Made great time, wind on our tail we averaged 110 knots ground speed today, 424nm in 3 hours 50 minutes Took my boys to see her, they were pretty excited. Told em they'll have to take turns going up with dad

It was a great trip, stopped at C97, Lowell Indiana, Kevin the owner was great. if you are traveling through the area give them a call ahead of time, its a private owned public use airport his dad started. Very nice turf! Topped her off and was home in no time.

I had been surprised I hadn't been more excited about ownership on the trip, it really hadn't sunk in I don't think that it really had happened. We were getting to Greenville and I keyed the mike, " Greenville Traffic, Cessna 1859V 5 miles to the South West inbound for a ....(lump in my throat) full stop landing at her new home... Greenville Traffic." It had finally hit me that she was mine.

Jack, my instructor has to a Ferry a plane next few days, so were going to hook back up Monday, he figures a couple longerish lessons and I'll have my tailwheel endorsement... I plan on doing some serious around the patch flying after that to make sure I really get this TW stuff... I have to spend 5 hours solo for insurance, so no reason burn those up cross country being a TW rookie, I figure I'll do all those in the patch and then some...

I'm a beat boy, and the original owners didn't order the lumbar supportive seat option so the backs a bit sore

Ray