There are some interesting rumors about this airplane, the one displayed here. There were 5 of them built, the original R614K, then the one that Pancho Barnes ended up with R613K that is the subject of a build here by Dowmer (RCSB handle). It was stored in Lancaster CA for many years amd was bought by a British fellow and the last photos of it showed it to look fully restored but no word on if it was ever flown. One was flown by Frank Hawkes to many point to point records in Texaco colors and it now hangs in the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. One was purchased by Shell and flown in various air races by Jimmy Doolittle who bailed out of it after aileron flutter put him out of control and it is said that his was one of the lowest successful bailouts ever. The last one was built for and delivered to the Italian Government to be a study for a fighter and it disappeared and was never heard of afterward.Now to the interesting rumors. There was a Mystery ship that appeared, and I will have to dig the article out to say where and when. It is said that enough parts of the original R614K were amassed that the completed airplane was awarded a restoration registration rather than replica status. On the maiden flight (remaiden?) all went well but a hard landing was made at a bit too fast a speed and it bounced, upon coming down it pitched forward far enough with the gear compressed that the wheel pants dug into the runway surface and it flipped over landing upside down. The pilot was killed in the accident. There are photos of it in the article that showed it upside down and then one of it back on its feet with damaged pants, empennage, and the fin/rudder crushed. After that it disappeared and some time later rumors went around that it was at the Staggerwing museum being restored for display. So This may be the original Mystery Ship though more rumors say its not, but it makes for an interesting story. Dontit? I'll dig out the article and if anyone is interested PM me I'll send you a copy I have pulled the article, it was written by DB Matthiews in the July 96 Model Aviation
__________________ Doc
East Tennessee
Rule 1 Power, Use lots, don't be needy!
2 Build light they fly better!
If it was easy everyone would do it!
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