S/N 162 — The New Ryan

Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of S/N 154

162

ST-A

N17357

June 1937

571

Unknown

Menasco C-4 125 HP SN SN 288, later D4-87

Fahlin 725 SN 2567 Hartzell 732 SN 3015

Airworthy

Serial Number

Model

Registration

Date of Manufacturing

ATC

Price (USD)

Engine

Propeller

Current Status

History

The airplane was sold new on July 7th, 1937 to Booth –Henning, Ryan distributor together with Air Industries in Detroit, Michigan. They were to handle Ryan sales in Texas, and Oklahoma. The airplane was ferried to Dallas from San Diego by Les Bowman and Winston Castleberry.

The Booth-Henning company was founded in 1932 by Edward F. “Doc” Booth, and Hal P. Henning. Booth sold his interest in 1940. Hal P. Henning eventually became associated with the Chevrolet Motor Company in Detroit, (Air Transport Division). Henning passed away in September 1958.

At the time that Booth-Henning owned the airplane it was flown often by Tex Rankin, Bowman, Castleberry, Hal Henning, Booth, and Reggie Robbins. (Of Ryan Endurance Flight fame)

It was next purchased by James Wooten who paid $3,500.00 for it. He used it for aerobatics. He eventually sold it through J.O. Womack of Marshall Flying Service, Marshall, Texas, to Newton Bagdett. He delivered it on September 4th, 1938.

Bagdett also operated Ryans NC17345 (SN 148) and NC17367 (SN 172)in his school, the Bagdett Flying School. He passed away in 1971.

On the morning of September 10, 1938, a student with an instructor were out doing some training when the engine cut out on takeoff, the instructor turned back to the field with only 50 feet of altitude, and the aircraft struck a wing. The student was not hurt, but the instructor hit the crash pad with his mouth, breaking his upper jaw.

Again the engine quit in 1939 while being flown by Bagdett and he had to make a forced landing. He attempted to look into a Warner engine installation , but it was not approved.

William Gottkau purchased the airplane in 1945 and then it was sold again November 30th, 1945. Many years later a story unfolded revealing further history. In 1948 it was being flown by Ed Silva from Bishop, (California) to Reno, Nevada.

Silva became lost and low on fuel, he made a forced landing on a road. He clipped a culvert with the right gear, twisting the airplane around and putting it on its back, damaging the wings, gear and propeller, along with the cowling and wheel-pants.

Some years later, about 1960, the Ryan was found by well known Ryan Restorer, Owner, Pilot, Donald Carter, in a barn near Reno. After many years of negotiation, he purchased the Ryan from the owner (Silva?) in September 1979. He brought the aircraft home and restored it to flying condition by 1992. Donald carter passed away on March 20th, 2011, he was 83 years old.

The aircraft was purchased from Don Carter’s estate in 2012 by a group of owners based in Justin, Texas, and is now once again almost ready to fly.

The restoration has been documented on their facebook page, and as of this last update the aircraft has once again returned to flight.