Daniel Brian sent in this photo, with a simple note: “Clear midwestern day in a 170A.”
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Back in the late ’60’s’, I was in possession of a ’48 ‘ragwing’ (but otherwise all metal) 170. Pretty much the same kind of panel … which meant it was not fully equipped for acquiring instrument training for an instrument rating (no A.H.). Also, note the … ‘turn-the-opposite-way-of-the-numbers’ D.G.. I can tell you that if you are accustomed to the newer type D.G.,. you will have a very difficult time transitioning to the older type D.G. (not me, my son). This 170 had a very poor heater. A friend of mine had a 135 Tri-pacer that was 10 mph faster than my 170 (and had an excellent heater). It also was a ‘bear’ to taxi in a healthy x-wind, with the one brake overheating and I would end up doing ‘cartioids’ getting from A to B. on the taxi-way. (I thought that’s what we called them in an early’50’s’ math class, but I sure can’t find the term in the dictionary)
You were flying in my favorite period of aviation. I was only about 10 then, but not only was my mind filled with airplanes–my dad’s small company had bought a new Piper Comanche (N7007P) for him and the CEO as PIC’s. I soaked up all there was in those great times…the pilot-talk, FLYING mag, occasionally steering the big Lycoming 250 via the artificial horizon (couldn’t see over the glare panel), snagging rides like the other ramp-rats, etc. An airport was a special place in those days; not an impenetrable acreage of fenced-off millionaires’ hobby/bizness rides. Thanks for sharing!