Two Historic Beech Staggerwing Aircraft Restorations at Wanaka

Over the past few years Tracey and Cam Hawley have been restoring an historic Beech Model D17A 'Staggerwing' aircraft operated by Admiral Byrd in the Antarctic during his third expedition to the frozen continent in 1939.
While they've been working on that historic aircraft, they've been enjoying the fruits of their earlier Staggerwing restoration project, VH-UXP -- a wonderful Art Deco-era aircraft that is now based in Wanaka (New Zealand), and which has been seen at several NZ airshows.
In this video Tracey and Cam talk about the two projects, and we get to see UXP in action.
To check out more about the Admiral Byrd Staggerwing restoration project see the Facebook page at :
/ antarcticbeechstaggerwing
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[@TheAjs71]

Fantastic aeroplane, fantastic couple...

[@philipbrailey]

N Z has so many historical aircraft.
Brilliant.

[@ryanmoeller3308]

These classic bird's represent the "Golden Era" of flight very well.. The lines of the aircraft are absolutely stunning!! Keep up the GREAT work gentlemen. Much respect and support from Oklahoma.

[@whalesong999]

And...., from the Wichita area also. Once in a great while we'll see Staggerwings in our area. The factory has changed a lot in appearance over the past few years.

[@bobdyer422]

The Staggerwing and the Howard are my favorite earl aluminum. Beautiful piece

[@9.5to1]

Beautiful restoration, one of the best looking planes of it's time and probably ever.

[@gregmorley1997]

Saw UXP at Mandeville in 2012 beautiful aircraft .

[@sailr]

I was born and grew up in Wichita, KS where the staggerwing was produced by Beech Aircraft. We would drive past the factory frequently and I remember seeing the staggerwings all lined up along the fence. Mostly red for sure. That would have been in the mid 1940's. To this day, the staggerwing is perhaps the most beautiful airplane ever built. LOVE your color scheme by the way.

[@davidbell1676]

What a perfect place to own a vintage beech.. Wanaka has just stunning Alpine flying

[@wwkdiecastmore5647]

Great looking D17A, that's an oldie but goodie! Thanks for sharing...Bill

[@DennisPinpin]

Beautiful!

[@dennisfly1]

VERY NICE! Thanks for sharing.

[@historicalmachines]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@grahammonk8013]

Can I just say how much I appreciate Cam and Tracey wearing period clothing as well? And they both look great!

[@ralphwatten2426]

Yup, beautiful!

[@seansky2721]

When I was a much younger child, my Dad and I went to the Boone airport to look at a Stagger Wing Beech for sale.
The price was reasonable; but Papa had been flying Pipers.
He looked the beautiful Beech over, then commented “This engine leaks oil. Not paying $14,000 for this!” and we left.
Hindsight. Always 20/20!

[@coolhand1964]

I haven't seen a parked radial engined aircraft that doesn't have a drip tray under it. It is known as 'marking its territory'.

[@dougauzene8389]

Another One Saved...Keep Em Flying!

[@alexandrec9372]

Very Nice aircraft! Thank you for upload and bring us this beautiful peace o History!

[@robertpage4991]

Staggering Staggerwing. What a beautiful aeroplane.

[@erickflyer9159]

Beaultiful. S2

[@Philscbx]

One of the most gorgeous aircraft ever created.
Fortunately I restored a crashed belly in gear up cornfield final that wasn't too bad.
I fabricated all new landing gear doors, etc.
Took about 12 hours a day for two years for full restore.
Then owner took me for test flight.
After an indicated 2.5G barrel roll, one just can't conceive how brutal tough this ship is. He weighs in at roughly 4500 pounds, and the landing gear has to retract within the walls of outer & inner skins.
And chain drive system for it is a weak point.
No doubt, stepping into one, a 56' Buick comes to mind, the leather seats are huge thick, as are the doors. And real glass all the way around for un-distortion view.
From the cabin back bulkhead, , is all wood and fabric to the tail.
So it could take many hits by enemy fire, and be easily patched in jungles of South Pacific.
Now imagine how tough it was in jungle hot conditions repairing these beasts daily.
It was painful in a hanger on high step ladder restoring the engine for two weeks straight.
How guys did this otherwise - true heroes.
So the years going to Oshkosh for two weeks, the camping park for Staggerwings, always a first pit stop.
Cheers

[@KowboyUSA]

Gosh, she's beautiful.

[@grunta101]

Why no view inside???

[@historicalmachines]

That's for another day.....

[@coolhand1964]

A little confusing because history records the first flight of a Beech 17 in January 1937. Only 14 were manufactured and delivered that first year. The early models having a fixed undercarriage whilst this has retractable. Of course it could have been upgraded at some time in its history. All that aside it's a fantastic aircraft.

[@ryanwalker9472]

What year did they start using the r985?

[@youhavenoprivacyandownnoth8289]

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