Photo ID: 1011145
click image to enlarge |
Model: Cessna 180 |
Registration: N1550C |
| Year: 1953 |
Serial Number: 30250 |
| Engine(s): Continental O-470L, 230-HP |
Owner: Tom Dunn
Hulls Cove, ME |
Location: Moosehead Lake
Greenville, ME |
Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
| Date: 2003, September |
Present Registration: Same |
Present Owner (FAA info): |
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Notes: 10/3/03 - She's 50 years old and sooo pretty sitting there on her Edo 2870's. N1550C was quite active at the 2003 International Seaplane Fly-In at Moosehead Lake, Greenville, Maine in September.
Just once in a while you meet someone who seems to have a special "thing" with their airplane. It is a combination of affection and skill and somehow the airplane seems to know it. I watched Tom Dunn in several events and he and that '180 certainly had something going with each other.
Seaplane flying and Cessna 180's are a family thing. Dunn's father has a 1953 as well, N1577C, s/n 30277, which is only 27 aircraft later than his son's. I understand Tom's son is also learning to fly. |
Photo ID: 1011146
click image to enlarge |
Notes: Tom got to the dock before his brother in the "Bush Pilot's Canoe Race" (see info with N3459Y), and is urging him on. Those two were smooth. They tied that canoe onto the floats and were on their way in no time flat. It looked like they had practiced it. |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1011147
click image to enlarge |
Notes: I wouldn't swear to it, but I think that soon after he pushed off for a competition event I heard Captain Dunn call out something like - - "Keys!", as he paddled back to shore. |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1011148
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Notes: Dunn and "five zero Charlie" on the home stretch in the slalom event. They tied for first place. It was a good fly-in for them. They also took the bomb drop and spot landing contests. |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1011149
click image to enlarge |
Notes: Tom had just won the takeoff contest (his floats were well-waxed). He was happy, but he had beaten his instructor and friend and had mixed emotions about that. He said, "I feel awful about beating him. He taught me all I know." Hey guy, that's what teacher's are for - - and one of the greatest marks of success for an instructor is to train some who go beyond himself. Keep it up! |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1011150
click image to enlarge |
Notes: 1953 for sure! That looks like a little floatation thingy there on the keys. Not a bad idea!
The older 180's are certainly lighter than the later ones. Non-the-less, for the takeoff contest Dunn took all the seats out but his own, along with all other unnecessary gear. I saw him on the wing with a 5-gallon jug of gasoline, pouring in only 2-gallons and saving the rest for later. He wanted to keep her light! It all paid off. |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1011151
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Notes: Nightfall has come. |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
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