Backcountry WA Homebuilts?

[o4abushmaster]

Just curious if anyone in the Seattle, Port Townsend, Bellingham area are homebuilding any backcountry style ships such as Supercubs, Bushmasters and the like?

Dave

[hotrod150]

A couple guys in the Port Angeles/Sequim area built a 540-powered Bearhawk & got it flying last year. But I heard a rumor it came out the worse for wear after a landing rodeo.
Dave, whereabout on whidbey are you located? I have friends based at both Oak Harbor/Lupien & Whidbey Air Park.

Eric

[o4abushmaster]

I'm on a grass strip about a 3 or 4 miles west of the Oak Harbor airport. My house is on the east end. If you land toward the east and over run the runway you'll go through my living room. Little soggy right now.
David

[hotrod150]

David, what do you fly? A Bushmaster? Or are you building a Bushmaster?
I think I saw your neighbor out & about to Port Townsend a couple days ago (Wednesday) in his Stinson 10A. Or is that you?

Eric

[o4abushmaster]

Zero One Victor

I've had a collection of odd ball flyers and projects over the years. My last flyer was a 600hp AgCat that I used to tow banners. A couple of years ago I had a J-5 project that I was putting an O-290 on, but sold it when I needed cash. Now that I live on a strip, I'm between ships. I've wanted to build a Bushmaster/Producer since I saw one of Jake Bryants ships in ANC in '82. Hopefully I can get something going soon.
That 10A belongs to my neighbor, Ted. He taxis up to my front door and takes off. My house is due east of his. He's good folk!
David

[BRD]

Hey BadFJ40 - you ought to make a hike over the mountains some fine morning to Yakima and visit Mike Butterfield's shop. He's becoming Mr. Bushmaster these days.
Brad

[hotrod150]

There was a Bushmaster based at Harvey Field in Snohomish a while back, tied down in one of the open hangars. I don't see it there anymore, don't know if he is based elsewhere now or just inside one of the regular enclosed hangars.
Speaking of "Bushmasters", I seem to recall that there was a modified version of the Ford TriMotor that went by that name a few years ago, flying freight in the backcountry in Idaho or somewhere. I read an article about it in GA News or somewhere. The latest GA News has an article about flying freight into short strips in Alaska in a Curtiss C46. Two thousand horsepower a side-- yeehaw!

Eric

[o4abushmaster]

That Ford copy was called the Bushmaster 2000 if I remember correctly. They made two of them. From what I remember, they couldn't get them certified for 135 because of ingress/egress issues. The copper colored one usually shows up to the annual airshow in Camarillo, CA to hop rides. Seems like I heard one of them crashed not long ago.

[JohnS]

you all might take a look at the 701, might make sense for some of you.
http://www.zenithair.com/

looks like a great performer for the $, you can buy them built for 50K if you dont have the time to build, or Builder asst in 7 days...Johns

[hotrod150]

Is there any information on the internet about Bushmasters? I tried to google some up & didn't have any luck.
Is there a kit or plans available, or do you just get ahold of a PA-20 or 22 fuselage & some extra tubing & start welding?

Eric

[hotrod150]

.......................
That 10A belongs to my neighbor, Ted. He taxis up to my front door and takes off. My house is due east of his. He's good folk!
David

David, I was sure sorry to see on the news that your neighbor Ted crashed his little Stinson yesterday, and that neither him or his wife survived. Please pass my condolences on to their family & friends. Does anybody know what the heck happened?

Eric

[BA]

If anyone is interested there is a Bushmaster for sale at Pasco. A very nice plane well done with the O-540.