VIKING of the MONTH
December 2004
"Miss December"
N4863V is a 1968 17-30 owned by Phillip Mason
This Viking is based in Dallas, TX (RBD)
Countless hours to save another!
Phillip writes: “I purchased my 1968 17-30 Viking (N4863V) from Cypert Aviation out of Tulsa, Oklahoma in October of 2002. The plane was in very poor condition with many areas of wood rot, chipped paint, bad glass, torn seats, no radios, you name it, it needed fixing! So I sat down with my trusted (and local Viking expert) A&P Randy Erwin and mapped out a strategy to restore this incredible airplane to where it once was. As the list of repairs began to grow, I soon realized that this was going to be a monster job. This was only my second airplane and starting my first ground up restoration was going to take some serious commitment of time and money. We completely stripped the wings and began to find wood rot. While I worked to repair these areas, Randy began work on the engine and electrical systems. We had the #5 cylinder overhauled and replaced all worn gaskets and hoses with new ones. We finished out the interior with new radios, new audio panel and a CD player. The repairs to the wings, paint, engine and avionics took about 8 months to complete. In May of 2003 I sent the plane to AvCraft Interiors in Tyler. For anyone considering refurbishing their interior, I HIGHLY recommend this outfit. They did an absolutely beautiful job. The finish is one of the most beautiful interiors I have ever seen."
"So 9 months and countless hours learning as I went, I finally picked up N4863V on June 23, 2003, and flew her home. I have since flown all over the country to places like West Point, NY, Green Bay, WI. Nashville, TN. and many cities and small towns in between. Such utter joy to fly. She even makes perfect landings on the grass runways of Venice, Louisiana. All pilots should be so lucky. Thanks for the Viking of the Month Tom and keep flying safe!"
Phillip can be reached at:
Pkmason86@aol.com
Picture YOUR Airplane Here!
Send me photos and some history about your Viking, and I'll place it on this page for all Bellanca Fans to see! Snail mail photos to: 3741 N. Forgeus Ave, Tucson, AZ 85716 (all photos will be returned promptly)...or e-mail .jpg files to:
Vikingdrvr@att.net
Previous "Vikings of the Month"
N 1285R...Don Ames' 1972 Turbo Viking
N 93570...Larry Smalley's 1973 17-31A
N 39819...Jim Howell's 1973 17-30A
N 4081B...Tom Binder's 1975 17-31ATC
N 4052B...The DeFoe's 1976 17-30A
N 28067...Craig Gifford's 1979 17-30A
N 6578V...James Gryder's 1970 17-31ATC
N 93554...Troy Foster's 1974 17-31ATC
N 110CB...RJ Lint's 1974 17-30A
N 6639V...Michael Waiwood's 1970 17-30A
N 147PH...Ron Bianchi's 1974 17-30A
N 7379V...Bob & Bette Nixon's 1969 17-30
N 7358V...Troy Foster's 1969 17-31TC
N 8811V...Jeremy Reiley's 1971 17-30A
N 9996V...Lee Moore's 1971 17-30A
N 14732...Lynn Walker's 1975 17-30A
CFMJT...Eric Hansen's 1974 17-31ATC
N 4101B...Peter Knize & John Sullivan's 1974 17-31ATC
N 8229R...Bill Dudley's 1972 17-30A
N 4851V...Carl Fleece's 1968 17-30
N 7300V...Lee McGee's 1969 17-30
N 8281R...Victor Catalanotto's 1972 17-30A
N 228CM...Curtis Hannay's 1973 17-31ATC
N 8842V...Richard Dews' 1971 17-30A
N 28058...Rex Warren's 1978 17-30A
N 77TV...Tim Averett's 1977 17-31ATC
N 9782E...Walt Peasley & Greg Treager's 1977 17-30A
N 4062B...Russell and Rusty Viers' 1975 17-31ATC
N 4935V...Hal Schroeder's 1969 17-30
N 8229R...Bill Dudley's 1972 17-30A
N 14798...Earl Gault's 1974 17-30A
N 39862...Craig Schwab's 1973 17-30A
N 8231R...Mike Carr's 1972 17-30A
N 281SV...Fred Olson's 2000 17-30A
N 28055...John Hartnell's 1979 17-30A
N 327CP...Jeff Baker's 1973 17-30A
N 6712V...Tom & Laurie Cox's 1970 17-30A
N 8813V...Bob & Bette Nixon's 1971 17-30A
N 5683U...Dean & Demita Crofford's 1973 17-30A
N 4137B...William Bruu's 1975 17-30A
N 73KP...Ross Seabrooke's 1973 17-31A
N 200EB...Frank Waltman's 1978 17-31ATC
N 89EL...Don and Shirlee Shapansky's 1989 17-30A
N 8862V...Mark Rooney's 1972 17-31ATC
N 28022...Frank Ayers' 1978 17-30A
N 93710...Tom & Dee Null's 1973 17-31A
N 14696... Dewey & Darla Elsik's 1974 17-31ATC
N 93634...Jim Sinke & Barbara Rose's 1973 17-30A
N 7383V...Dave Hetrick's 1969 17-31
N 76604V...Clifford Kidd's 1970 17-30A
N 4744V...Gregg and Bonnie Watts' 1967 17-30
N 28039...Phil Lancaster's 1978 17-30A
N 4703V... Dave & Janet Taylor's 1967 17-30
N 39899...Ron & Deanne Gerber's 1973 17-30A
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