Current Events at RARE

There has been a whirlwind of activity since our last post August 9th which feels like only a week ago! Here are some highlights.

We are pleased to share that we are well underway with the restoration of a Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker owned by Hawaiian Airlines. This exact aircraft by serial number was the first aircraft put into service by Inter Island Airways, now Hawaiian, in 1929. This aircraft has been in use at the airlines home base since 2009. It is currently in need of some attention. The team at RARE is honored to be selected to care for such an unique and historical aircraft. We will post more photos of the restoration as it progresses. Below are a couple photos of the big Bellanca being unloaded from the shipping container in which it arrived.

In June we started a “Legend Stearman” with the optional 300hp Jacobs conversion. Serial number 75-3110 is currently in cover and paint. This Stearman will be in the Army Air Corps paint scheme. We anticipate having this project complete soon. Also in the queue is a WACO UPF-7 and a Stinson Reliant SR-9 which were both ordered after EAA’s Airventure. We have started on the F7 and anticipate beginning on the SR-9 soon. Photos to follow in next post.

We attended the can’t miss AAA Antique Fly-In at Antique Airfield in Blakesburg, Iowa with the Hamilton Metalplane. This was the aircrafts second appearance at this event with its first being 41 years ago. Many thanks to all who worked so hard to provide such a fantastic event that once again proved to be the best Antique Fly-In there is! RARE is pleased to be offering the Hamilton to market. Look at our Antique For Sale page in the near future for details, photos and specifications on this unique and historical aircraft.

Following Blakesburg was the National Stearman Fly-In in Galesburg, Illinois. Although the weather put a bit of a damper on attendance there was plenty of fun to be had. Much gratitude goes out to those who worked so hard to provide a safe, fun and overall great event. For the Stearman enthusiast this event has it all. There is much to learn, many ideas exchanged and networks grown for anything and everything Stearman. If you own or are considering owning a Stearman and have not attended this event, get it on your list!

With the 2016 Summer Fly-In season over we still have some of the best flying weather of the year ahead of us. If you are seriously considering one our premier builds or something in our existing inventory, get here and experience the finest time of year to take to the sky in Minnesota! Thank you for checking in.