Photo ID: 1011480
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Model: Travel Air S-6000-B |
Registration: NC9084 |
| Year: 1929 |
Serial Number: 852 |
| Engine(s): Wright R975, 450-HP, 9-Cyl. Radial |
Owner: Bill & Barbara DeCreeft, Homer, AK |
| Location: Homer-Beluga Lake, Homer, AK. |
Photographer: Ken Stoltzfus |
| Date: July, 2004 |
Present Registration: Same |
Present Owner (FAA info): Same |
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Notes: 11/23/04 - Elaine has an aunt and cousins in Homer and we spent some time with them on our Alaska trip. It was a very special stop on our vacation.
This 1929 Travel Air S-6000-B was a "grabber" and we spent many hours hanging around Bill and Barbara DeCreeft's dock and office over a period of several days. They are friendly people and didn't seem to mind.
An extensive history on this aircraft, and many photos including the 1987-90 restoration process, may be seen at http://www.alaskaseaplanes.com/NC9084.html. There is no point in my going into a lot of detail here because they do it so well. You will want to follow the several links there.
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Photo ID: 1011481
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Notes: Bill doing his morning runup on the Wright R-975. The Travel Air S-6000-B was built with a 330-HP Wright R-975, but after the big war NC9084 was upgraded to the 450-HP version as used in the Vultee BT-15. It swings a 108", 2D30-6101A-12 prop with a governor. (The BT-15 was two-position, not constant speed.) That's a Twin Beech oil cooler hanging under there. |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1011482
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Notes: Barbara is very much a part of the operation. Indispensable, I would say. She does the booking, helps at the dock and takes good care of Bill.
NC9084 is on 4650 Edo floats which were built in 1934.
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| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1011483
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Notes: I liked the angles in this shot but can't think of much more to say! (So I won't.) |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1011484
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Notes: The DeCreefts came to Alaska in 1962 and started Kachemak Air Service in 1967. They have used this Travel Air since 1969 but also operated the DeHavilland Beaver and Otter, Grumman Widgeon and Goose, and Cessna 185 and 310 over the years. |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1011485
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Notes: Not much different than 1929 except for the headset, and a portable GPS which is hidden behind the pilot's seat. |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1011486
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Notes: Seats for six passengers. Johnson Flying Service in Missoula, MT operated this aircraft for some years for hauling smoke jumpers and carrying passengers in the back country. DeCreefts used for it hard bush flying before restoring it and starting the more relaxed sight-seeing business. |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1011487
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Notes: All the comforts of modern travel. |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1011488
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Notes: The Travel Air is off with a load of sightseers. Bill does glacier tours and other local sightseeing. It is quite a combination of getting a ride in a very old but very safe airplane, and seeing the glaciers and other spectacular scenery of Alaska. |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1011489
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Notes: Bill DeCreeft has flown 21,000 accident free hours from this dock. That includes 7000 in one Beaver and I don't know how many in the Otter he operated for 25-years. Plus - - plus - - plus!!
Bill and Barbara own another Travel Air S6000B, N627H. It is one of those "maybe someday", total restoration projects. |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1011490
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Notes: De Creeft has a lot of little tricks to keep his treasure running well. Radial engines can "hydraulic", that is, oil runs down into the lower cylinders and, depending on valve position, will get between the piston and cylinder head. When the engine is turned over you can bend a rod, generally requiring an engine teardown. Bill has put drain valves in the intake pipes on the lower cylinders. He opens them at the end of the day and any oil that runs down, simply drains out onto his wooden dock. He has very deliberate routines - - including closing the drains in the morning. |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1011491
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Notes: These Bacon, Model 4400H skies are probably at least as old as the Travel Air. |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
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