L-1 Recovery And "Recovering"

Story and Photos by Kathryn (KT) Budde-Jones

Kermit Week's L-1 Stinson is on the road to recovery at his unique aviation attraction in Polk City, FL. This particular L-1E survived the war, survived the perilous years as a camera ship in California for Tallmantz Aviation culminating in its use in the Hollywood hit movie, "Waldo Pepper", towed banners over trendy Miami Beach only to meet Hurricane Andrew head on in 1992.

L-1 #40-3102 was built at the Stinson factory in Nashville, TN in August of 1941. It was one of 324 built of which only seven survive today including Kermit's two examples. The L-1 was vital to the Allied war effort as a liaison aircraft used for artillery spotting, ambulance evacuation, message service, forward air controllers and personnel transportation. It was the most versatile military aircraft ever built and in many ways, the L-1 was the most complicated and sophisticated of the L-Birds.

Paul Stecewycz has been in charge of the L-1's restoration since 1994. Not only was Paul responsible for repairing what Hurricane Andrew wrought, but also the alterations the Tallmantz did on the aircraft to make it a photo plane when Frank Tallman and Paul Mantz gutted it during its use in the 60s and 70s. Paul chose the L-1 as one of his first complete restoration projects for Kermit because he thought that the L-1 was an uncomplicated plane. He was quickly astonished by the labyrinth of steal tubing that made up the fuselage and the aluminum spars on the wings; once uncovered, revealing an intricate modern art sculpture that was a shame to cover up. The plane's military purpose also added to its complicated nature by allowing the observer in the back his own electrical access for his missions, which in turn required a more sophisticated electrical system and bus bar.

The L-1's STOL characteristics were enhanced by its unusual slats on the leading edge that were governed automatically by airspeed, not pilot controlled, that allowed the airplane to hover over a target seemingly not moving at all. The massive wings are a third longer than the fuselage adding to the appearance of the L-1 looking like a dragonfly. It is its unique character that makes it such an interesting project for Paul and his crew at Fantasy of Flight.

Paul has put about 8000 man-hours in the project bringing it to the point of the wings being attached to the fuselage. This is equivalent to approximately two years of full time work spread out over a decade spent helping Kermit move his entire collection up from Tamiami, FL, to Polk City as well as setting up shop in his new state of the art facility at Fantasy of Flight in central Florida.

Paul is an Embry Riddle graduate receiving his A&P in 1986. Originally from Ohio, Paul left the gray and gloomy winters to work at Vintage Props and Jets in New Smyrna before joining Kermit's team in 1990. Today Paul heads up a team of fellow restoration experts including Andy Salter who has added his machining expertise to the project by creating the illusion of carved castings to replace corroded components. Rick Reeves experienced sheet metal skills and Ken Kellet's fabric work complete the compliment of conservators working on the project.

The project still has approximately 2000 hours of restoration left to complete. Paul and Rick Reeves are now also working on bringing the Seversky P-35 back to flying condition. The P-35 has much in common with the L1 especially the intricate "subcutaneous" structure.

FMI: www.fantasyofflight.com