Parker_Woodruff Posted March 3, 2012 Report Posted March 3, 2012 I dropped by the Lakeland Chick-Fil-A this morning, and the airport is between it and my house. So I take a slight detour and end up watching some practice performances pre-Sun 'n Fun. Then there are some R/C jet performances going on (I didn't manage to get any pics). But those are some sweet machines! Walking a little bit farther, I see a Mooney Mite...and then proceed to see my dream Mooney. Can someone please phone the Air Force and remind them what a mistake they made not accepting this plane!? And why the heck are we teaching primaries in Diamonds? If there's one airplane I'd love to see MAC resurrect, it's this one. This Texas boy is a happy camper in central FL. I work in the aviation industry. I live 8 minutes from an airport and in a community where many people have some connection or interest in the aviation world. General Aviation is well respected around here and many non-pilots choose to take part in it. Quote
MooneyMitch Posted March 3, 2012 Report Posted March 3, 2012 Great goin' Parker! You are all pumped it this morning and you've got us all that way too with your post!! Quote
Parker_Woodruff Posted March 3, 2012 Author Report Posted March 3, 2012 Quote: Mitch Great goin' Parker! You are all pumped it this morning and you've got us all that way too with your post!! Quote
kris_adams Posted March 3, 2012 Report Posted March 3, 2012 Very cool. I'll have to check this out next time I'm down there. Sweet looking setup (minus the paint of course!) Quote
Cris Posted March 3, 2012 Report Posted March 3, 2012 Parker- I thought that Mooney Aircraft Co. had destroyed that prototype years ago. Was it sold to someone or is that the original factory A/C? What is it doing in Lakeland? Quote
carusoam Posted March 3, 2012 Report Posted March 3, 2012 That's the coolest plane at S n F.... an M20 w/ a glass top... -a- Quote
DaV8or Posted March 3, 2012 Report Posted March 3, 2012 I want one too. Factory STC anyone? Wonder what happened to the top of the horizontal stabilizer? Quote
Parker_Woodruff Posted March 3, 2012 Author Report Posted March 3, 2012 Quote: Cris Parker- I thought that Mooney Aircraft Co. had destroyed that prototype years ago. Was it sold to someone or is that the original factory A/C? What is it doing in Lakeland? Quote
jwilkins Posted March 3, 2012 Report Posted March 3, 2012 Here is a link from 1999 with some background on the Predator: http://www.avweb.com/news/newacft/182528-1.html Even back then they were estimating 3 years and $5 Million to go through certification. Jim Quote
DaV8or Posted March 4, 2012 Report Posted March 4, 2012 Quote: jwilkins Here is a link from 1999 with some background on the Predator: http://www.avweb.com/news/newacft/182528-1.html Even back then they were estimating 3 years and $5 Million to go through certification. Jim Quote
Jeff_S Posted March 5, 2012 Report Posted March 5, 2012 Whats' up with the top of the horizontal stabilizer on that Predator? It looks like there is a piece missing. Quote
Parker_Woodruff Posted March 5, 2012 Author Report Posted March 5, 2012 Quote: Jeff_S top of the horizontal stabilizer Quote
MooneyMitch Posted March 5, 2012 Report Posted March 5, 2012 Quote: Jeff_S Whats' up with the top of the horizontal stabilizer on that Predator? It looks like there is a piece missing. Quote
MooneyMitch Posted March 5, 2012 Report Posted March 5, 2012 Quote: Mitch If that is indeed the M22 tail, then I believe there was what appears to have been a rotating beacon in that slot. Quote
jwilkins Posted March 5, 2012 Report Posted March 5, 2012 Quote: Shadrach Looks like a standard tail to me. Quote
smccray Posted March 5, 2012 Report Posted March 5, 2012 So it looks like the Mooney Mite is for sale in the Sun N Fun Auction: http://avbidaircraftauctions.com/our-inventory/1948-mooney-m-18l-absolute-sale/ Quote
jwilkins Posted March 5, 2012 Report Posted March 5, 2012 Excuse me for 'topic drift' but here is a link for the #2 produciton M22 Mustang that made the NY - Paris flight in 1967: http://www.pmctrade.com/asales/aircraft_more.php?page=90 One of you guys should buy this and bring it back to the states so I can get a ride with you! Jim Quote
jwilkins Posted March 5, 2012 Report Posted March 5, 2012 Quote: smccray So it looks like the Mooney Mite is for sale in the Sun N Fun Auction: http://avbidaircraftauctions.com/our-inventory/1948-mooney-m-18l-absolute-sale/ Quote
Shadrach Posted March 5, 2012 Report Posted March 5, 2012 Quote: jwilkins My understanding (And bear in mind I have never seen one in person) is that the M22 tail was an M20 basic design just extended in height. It probably will look the same unless we get a side-by-side photo. Jim Quote
jwilkins Posted March 5, 2012 Report Posted March 5, 2012 All the pics I've seen suggest different rudder linkage (under the horizontal stab). Quote
Shadrach Posted March 5, 2012 Report Posted March 5, 2012 Quote: jwilkins All the pics I've seen suggest different rudder linkage (under the horizontal stab). Quote
MooneyMitch Posted March 9, 2012 Report Posted March 9, 2012 Per Bill Wheat, the Predator does use the standard M20 tail and the plane is owned by Mooney. Quote
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