| In This Issue:
NEW Tech Series: RESTORING vs BUILDING
 What better way to acquire the airplane of your dreams than to restore an antique or classic. This is an option often overlooked by pilots who are considering building an airplane. Restoring an airplane is certainly a viable alternative to building one from a set of plans or from a kit.
Rebuilding a production airplane has a lot going for it. First of all, you have a proven design. One that has usually been around for a number of years. Most of the problems associated with the airplane have been discovered and usually resolved through AD notes, modifications, etc. Insurance is normally available at a reasonable rate. The airplane usually has (and will continue) to appreciate in value through the years.15th. (read more)
More from VAA Admin Erin Brueggen
We asked Erin to tell us more about her aviation background…
As a professional photographer Erin decided to tell us through video – both about her own growing up with airplanes and about the early vintage awareness she is giving her children. Click the image above to learn her story and enjoy these videos and more on her new page on our website.
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Airport Action: Young Aviators at EAA Chapter 838, Racine, WI
 EAA Chapter 838 located in Racine, Wisconsin is our latest focus for “Airport Action”. This group is very active in promoting aviation interests and education to their community. They have over 160 members with a charter that clearly states their goals. Two of these are as follows: To foster, promote, and engage in aviation education and to encourage and engage in research for the improvement and better understanding of aviation and the science of aeronautics.
Chapter 838 was organized in 1984 led by Quinn Rench and a group of aviation enthusiasts. In December, 1987 the chapter embarked on an ambitious building project aimed at providing a permanent home. On March 9, 1992, the chapter held a ground breaking ceremony and began construction of one of the finest EAA facilities in the country. This building includes a classroom, a library, a hangar workshop, and the Southeast Wisconsin Aviation Museum and Hall of Fame. All of this is contained in an 18,000 square foot facility. (read more)
Happy Birthday EAA!
 This evening, January 26, 2015 is the 62nd anniversary/birthday of EAA. From a coal bin basement first meeting on January 26, 1953 to 185,000-plus members, the magnificent EAA Aviation Center with its staggering collection of historic airplanes, to world-wide acclaim as the finest, largest, most influential sport/general aviation organization in history is an amazing accomplishment!
Thank you, Paul and Audrey and all the countless upon countless gifted leaders and volunteers who have “made it happen” over these two generations.
There were many of us flying our little airplanes around when there was no such organization. Paul’s vision and efforts have brought a quality and cohesiveness to the personal aviation field that did not exist prior to his 1953 and forward accomplishments. The difference is not even close to believability.
Our strongest wish today is for the top EAA leadership to excel even further in their efforts for EAA, just as Paul would be doing, and as he would have wanted. May his determination and perseverance always inspire EAA’s top leadership to continue to strive to accomplish the impossible.
Happy 62nd – and Many More!
Charles W. Harris
Director Emeritus
EAA Vintage Aircraft Association
February Mystery Airplane
Here is another great puzzler from our mystery team of Wes Schmid and Wesley Smith. This plane, shown with a small radial engine, also came with a 3 cylinder engine.
Click here or on the image above to view full size and see our other mystery airplanes.
December Mystery Identified
Correct answers to this “mystery plane” were received from Terry Bowden, and Wayne Muxlow.
The story of the Emsco B-3-A cannot be told without telling the tale of Charles F. Rocheville. Like many such stories in the annals of aviation, it is an unusual tale, and it is true, and his involvement with aviation begins nearly a century ago, during The Great War. (read more)
We NEED your stories and photos!
Vintage continues to grow in the digital media world. Our Facebook page has now grown to more than 14,000 likes and continues to grow daily. We try to post their daily and on other social media as time permits.
We NEED your help. Send us your human interest stories, photos of great Vintage planes, Chapter activities, and we will feature them here in AirMail, on our website, and on the seven social media sites in which we participate. Who knows? Your article or photo may even generate a feature story in Vintage Aircraft.
Click here or on the image below to see a perfect Vintage love story sent to us by Lindy Award winner Dan Wilkins.
A short sentence or two identifying the people, planes, or events you send us would be most appreciated. Please do not send copyrighted material.
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