Sfcrusscanter Posted December 15, 2014 Author Report Posted December 15, 2014 A lot of good comments and more for me to look into. Here are some pictures of the M20A, and one of the Super Viking I passed on buying this past summer. 1 Quote
carl Posted December 16, 2014 Report Posted December 16, 2014 I know this from experience , I spent eight months transitioning my sale, everyone else dropped out due to the lengthy court battles. If the children are involved , woow a long time . Just hang in there . Buy it. Carl Quote
gsxrpilot Posted December 16, 2014 Report Posted December 16, 2014 One of the best wood wing Mooney guys in the country is Boyd Maddox in Arcola, TX. It's in the Houston area. He's an A&P, AI and is a great option for annuals. He works exclusively on Mooneys but really knows the wood wing version. I can give you his contact information if interested. I was at a show at Houston Hobby on a Sunday and landed in my C with a flat nose wheel. Boyd and his wife were there. They drove to out to their shop and brought me a tube back and waited around while we found a way to get it changed out. They're just super nice folks. I learned a lot about vintage Mooney's in the couple of hours we spent trying to sort out my flat tire on a Sunday. 1 Quote
rbridges Posted December 16, 2014 Report Posted December 16, 2014 The rear seat and fuel tank needs to be removed to check the spar at annual time, but the AD doesn't mention anything about applying varnish. The varnish is probably needed if in need of a wood repair. All my wood repairs are done with wood tooth picks and elmer's glue. lol I think it was just for the warranty from Mooney. Kinda ironic since these planes outlasted the original company. Quote
kerry Posted December 16, 2014 Report Posted December 16, 2014 I think it was just for the warranty from Mooney. Kinda ironic since these planes outlasted the original company. Your right. I found the old articles and wood wing life time warranty certifite on Dave Morris website. It's fun to read that stuff. Did you read the part about Mooney twin and 250 hp mark21. I spoke with Bill Wheat a few years ago and he was just raving about the M20A that had a Lycoming O540 in it. To bad it didn't go into production. Cruising over 200 MPH in a short body would have been great. Quote
Bob_Belville Posted December 16, 2014 Report Posted December 16, 2014 Your right. I found the old articles and wood wing life time warranty certifite on Dave Morris website. It's fun to read that stuff. Did you read the part about Mooney twin and 250 hp mark21. I spoke with Bill Wheat a few years ago and he was just raving about the M20A that had a Lycoming O540 in it. To bad it didn't go into production. Cruising over 200 MPH in a short body would have been great. Mitch & Jolie's movie is great. They record Bill at different times declaring that just about every model is his favorite Mooney. 1 Quote
HRM Posted December 16, 2014 Report Posted December 16, 2014 One of the best wood wing Mooney guys in the country is Boyd Maddox in Arcola, TX. It's in the Houston area. He's an A&P, AI and is a great option for annuals. He works exclusively on Mooneys but really knows the wood wing version. I can give you his contact information if interested. I was at a show at Houston Hobby on a Sunday and landed in my C with a flat nose wheel. Boyd and his wife were there. They drove to out to their shop and brought me a tube back and waited around while we found a way to get it changed out. They're just super nice folks. I learned a lot about vintage Mooney's in the couple of hours we spent trying to sort out my flat tire on a Sunday. I was going to suggest Boyd, but you beat me to it. Let me add that Boyd is a master of the Mooneymite, which is just a miniature version of the larger wood wings. Frankly, I would not proceed until I put a call into him. Quote
Sfcrusscanter Posted December 17, 2014 Author Report Posted December 17, 2014 I'll try to get hold of Mark Wiebe in Halstead, KS between the holidays and get idea of what to look for when doing the annual. The sons will want to sell, but first the court will need to designate the executive for the estate. Then I'll deal with that one. The son's are all older than I am and none of them fly. It will pick up in a couple of months, once the estate starts getting the bills for the two hangers from the city. I always seem to find deals, so I can take the time with this one. Might try to make it a two for one special... His other plane is a 1960 C172A. Would annual it an sell it, then buy better radios for the M20A. 1 Quote
Sfcrusscanter Posted January 18, 2015 Author Report Posted January 18, 2015 Finally getting to look at the logbooks and the plane tomorrow. Still will be waiting for the estate to be settled but getting closer. Quote
carusoam Posted January 18, 2015 Report Posted January 18, 2015 Logs are interesting to go through when there is a light at the end of the tunnel... Hoping to see the words 'installed Metal Tale' and things like that... Good luck, -a- Quote
DaV8or Posted January 18, 2015 Report Posted January 18, 2015 Hang into there. I'd love to see an enthusiast get a hold of this plane and help it along on it's journey. 1 Quote
dcrogers11 Posted January 18, 2015 Report Posted January 18, 2015 Just a note on buying from an estate. If you move forward with the purchase from them, please be sure to obtain the Letter of Testament from the executor of the estate and follow the instructions on the FAA bill of sale exactly. They won't except the bill of sale without it. Getting the CD with all the info on the titles and 337's from the Oklahoma FAA office is a good plan also. Good luck on this vintage Mooney. Regards, Don Quote
mike20papa Posted February 11, 2015 Report Posted February 11, 2015 Russ, I fly a '59 A model and really enjoy it. If you are looking at one of the Webe's aircraft it's probably in excellent condition. If you get the opportunity, ask one of them about the woodwork they use to offer - especially wing skin replacements. Ask them if they have any specialized jigs or tooling, methods, pictures, etc. I am currently thinking of buying another woodwing for a long term project, but would want to strip, inspect innerds & reskin the plywood. I have a 1981 AOPA article on pre-J Mooneys, performance comparisons, etc. The woodwing maybe now the blacksheep of the breed, but - well, just go fly one! Love the woodwings (builder CP328/Super Emeraude) Joe Quote
HRM Posted February 15, 2015 Report Posted February 15, 2015 The woodwing maybe now the blacksheep of the breed, but - well, just go fly one! Love the woodwings (builder CP328/Super Emeraude) Joe Even though I own and fly the flagship of "the breed"--I would hardly call the woodwings the black sheep. More like the wizened elders or the grand ladies. 1 Quote
Wesley brown Posted March 22, 2015 Report Posted March 22, 2015 I fly a m20A and it's the best plane I have ever owned. It is well cared for and needs to be cherished and kept flying. If you have the ability to keep the plane up DO IT. Boyd was kind enough to help us on knowledge with our ore buy. A also asked what can is expect in the future for wing repairs if something comes up. He told me he just completed a rotten rear spar on both wings completed with fabric and paint for 9000.00. Try to fix your metal wing for that price! My plane is fast, smooth in turbulence and looks totally different than most mooneys. Also after flying my A and my friends E my site picture is better. The dash is much lower in the A making a great picture out front. We did a 200 NM trip at full gross at a average of 133 KTS and used only 14.98 gal total at a climb out at 7500'. Things to inspect. Grab the flap hinges that mount to the flap. They should be solid if you get any movement there could be a problem at the rear spar which is the lowes point of the wing and water will settle. The drain holes at the filler cap around the door plywood seal. If the drains are plugged you'll see soft spots around the door. Romove the rear seat and inspect the drain holes to be clear. Look for discoloration on th spar and fesh varnish. Quote
HRM Posted March 22, 2015 Report Posted March 22, 2015 I fly a m20A .... after flying my and a nd a friends E my site pictures are better. ...but it isn't Super. Anyway, enjoy that bird, they may not be super but they are phenomenal Quote
Wesley brown Posted March 23, 2015 Report Posted March 23, 2015 They are super! Plain and simple. Quote
carusoam Posted March 23, 2015 Report Posted March 23, 2015 'A' owners need to post more pictures... Same for the Mooney Mite owners... Especially of the wood structures. Best regards, -a- Quote
DaV8or Posted March 23, 2015 Report Posted March 23, 2015 'A' owners need to post more pictures... Same for the Mooney Mite owners... Especially of the wood structures. Best regards, -a- Agreed. I know we have an A owner here that lives in Germany that still has the wood tail on his! Too me that's pretty cool. I've seen a fair amount of Mites for some reason, but only one M20A in my lifetime. Sadly, the A I saw and laid hands on is no longer with us. It crashed after engine failure resulting in a passenger fatality and serious injuries a few years back. Quote
Shadrach Posted March 23, 2015 Report Posted March 23, 2015 From what I have read the A's are very slick and fast. Bill Wheat claimed they lost at least 5mph going to the metal wing. Quote
RobertGary1 Posted March 23, 2015 Report Posted March 23, 2015 Bill Wheat claimed they lost at least 5mph going to the metal wing. Does that account for the extra weight of the termites? -Robert 1 Quote
DaV8or Posted March 23, 2015 Report Posted March 23, 2015 Bill Wheat claimed they lost at least 5mph going to the metal wing. Yeah, I imagine the wood Mooneys are lighter and the surfaces are a tiny bit smoother. Combined that probably equals 5mph. Quote
Wesley brown Posted March 23, 2015 Report Posted March 23, 2015 Here are a few pictures. I will try to get some more if the wings and wheel well area it is really neat to look at, 2 Quote
Hank Posted March 24, 2015 Report Posted March 24, 2015 'A' owners need to post more pictures... Same for the Mooney Mite owners... Especially of the wood structures. Best regards, -a- There was a beautiful A at Mooneys in the Mountains last fall. It's the only one I've ever seen. Absolutely beautiful! From what I've been told, the wood flexes more than our metal wings, so it's not only faster but smoother, too. Of course, being smoother will contribute some extra speed. 1 Quote
BKlott Posted March 24, 2015 Report Posted March 24, 2015 Thanks for posting the pictures! I enjoyed seeing your Mooney. Brian Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.