Hello everyone,
As you might guess, I just bought the subject plane, N900TL. The airplane has a certain centimental value to me, and it has some great history to it. The airplane will not be parted out, it will be restored. I have posted some pictures of it, finally in a hangar, sort of, where it will be able to dry out.
Wow, it is a mess, I cant name all of the creatures I've found in it so far, in fact, might have found a few new species...
My grandfather started working on the airplane back in 1969, when Tony had taken it to Weber aircraft for an engine overhaul, at only 1000 hours. He continued to have my grandfather work on the airplane, even after he left Weber and started his own company. In 1978, or so, the engine was again overhauled by him, again, with only 1000 hours SMOH. My father then started working on the airplane up until 1999, when it was last flown. According to them, only five people have flown the airplane, the test pilot, Tony, the second owner, my grandfather and father. It has no damage history, except a scuff on the left side of the tail, I think it is the cause of a mis-guided lawn mower while sitting in the weeds.
The airplane used to be N6860U, it was used in all the promotional flyers and brochures for Mooney to advertise the M20E. In fact, the airplane is actually a 1963, the only one from what I am told. Mooney did not offer the M20E until 1964, even if they were built in 1963, they were considered a 64, except this one. This is serial number 102, I was told that there was never a 100 or 101, this was the prototype. I have looked on the FAA registry, and found nothing, except an M20D, also 1963, with the serial number 101. If anyone knows otherwise, please let me know.
From what I am told, this aircraft also has the first Lycoming 200hp fuel injected engine in it. Serial number is 320, thought it should have been 360... I have all the original logs, brochures, operators manuals, maintenance manuals, etc that came with the plane in 1963. However, I am not sure what will be done with the engine yet, its been sitting for over ten years, maybe it has some value to Lycoming??? The airplane has only been painted once, by the factory in 1968, and it shows. But, with all the bad, there is some good. There is very little corrosion on the airplane, none in fact on the outside, just a little spot in the baggage door jam, of corse, I havent opened everything up yet.
I will be adding pictures as the restoration continues, any words of wisdom are appreciated
Joel
