1939 Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3, BuNo 1920. Because an N3N flies and lands better than a Stearman, and everyone loves round engines!
Quick Summary
Airframe: 256 hours since restoration.
Engine: Lycoming R-680-13, 35 hours since immaculate major overhaul by Radial Engines Ltd.
Prop: Hamilton Standard 2B20-9, 0 hrs since overhaul.
Annual: September 2024. (It's in annual now so you will be good to go for another year.)
Landing Gear Rigging: The landing gear rigging was completed by master N3N rigger, Mr. Randal Coggin A&P IA. The aircraft tracks perfectly straight on the ground and is very well behaved.
Pitch, Roll & Yaw Rigging: During cruise flight, the aircraft trims for hands off flight with no adverse roll or yaw tendencies. Pitch trim is rigged to be tight and smooth. Only very minor trim inputs are needed for level flight during cruise.
Pilot Input - Takeoff: Takeoff is normal with smooth slow power application. The tail will come up later and slower than a Stearman because it's heavier.
Pilot Input - Landing: This N3N lands three point like a dream in comparison to a Stearman. The eye picture is a little different because it's about 3 inches lower and slightly different cockpit position.
Pilot Worthy Note - The N3N carb heat is easy to reach and directly next to your left hand without the need the be a Stearman carb heat contortionist.
Avionics / Equipment
It's a VFR pre-World War 2 bi-plane... with Wifi.
Despite it being day VFR, you get the best of both worlds. You get Wifi traffic and Weather to your iPad on Foreflight via ADS-B In. The Garmin GTX330 transponder is coupled with the Free Flight Systems Ranger Blue ADS-B In/Out computer and WiFi module for complete connectivity.
The Trigg TY91 comm radio is a perfectly capable system for all VFR needs in any class of airspace to include the demands of Oshkosh.
The rest of the avionics are just what you need to focus on the pure love of flying. It's the perfect blend of simplicity and modern advanced technology for safety.
Airframe
Total Time Since Restoration: 256 Hours
Total Time Since Manufacture: Unknown
The records from when this BuNo 1920 was on active duty with the Navy have been lost to the walls of Naval Aviation history. We simply don't know, and most likely never will. But we do know that is has 256 hours since restoration.
Engines / Mods / Prop
Engine & prop
Engine: 35 hrs SMOH
Prop: 0 hrs SMOH
The engine is the 300 hp Lycoming R680-13 with only 35 hours since an amazing restoration and major overhaul by Caleb and his team at Radial Engines Ltd. This included all of the engine accessories: Mag's, distributors, fuel pump, prop governor, and carb. Their craftsmanship is world class and the attention to detail on the engine is spectacular. From the ignition harness to the polished lifters and rocker covers, to the ceramic coated exhaust. It all comes together to make for an amazing performing engine that is beautiful to look at.
The mags are set to perfection. The engine starts perfectly every time. And it is pure joy of thumpity thumpity thump as you taxi all the way to takeoff. Really, that's what it is because it just makes you smile and everyone just stops to listen and look.
The Prop is the Hamilton Standard 2B20-9. The prop is currently at Maxwell Aircraft Services in Minnesota for overhaul. Which means you will be getting a 0 time prop in about a week from the date of this add.
Interior / Exterior
Interior: Its an open cockpit biplane, how much more can you expect. It's a windy. It's fun. It's a pure visceral experience of the senses that can't be compared to anything else. Oh, and it has new seat and back cushions that are really comfortable too. The back cushion has two options, a thick cushion that will push you more forward, and a thin cushion that is 1 inch thick that gives you more forward space.
Exterior: The reality is that it looks pretty darn good. Yes, "pretty darn good" is a subjective term but that is the best way to describe it. Will it win Oshkosh, No. But that will cost you a $Million bucks and a marriage.
Will it make you proud to own a beautiful rare warbird that is fun to fly and everyone loves to come by the hangar and look at, Yes. And then you'll think Wow, that looks pretty darn good.
Remarks
Without a doubt, the #1 superpower that the N3N-3 has that the Stearman doesn't, and never will have, the entire left side of the N3N opens up for incredible ease of maintenance and access for everything! You will never, not ever, meet a Stearman owner that will say that isn't really, Really, REALLY nice. Speaking of maintenance, it also comes with the towbar and towbar adapters. The towbar adapters also serve as conventional jack adapters as well.
Another fun fact, there are more active astronauts than there are N3N owner/pilots on the planet. With an N3N you are entering a truly elite group of warbird owners.
I've got a lot of time in a Stearman and a lot of time in an N3N. I love them both, but the N3N is much easier and smoother to fly. This is the pure fun of flying and what it means to be a pilot. Stick and rudder skills that are easy to hone and forever hard to perfect. The voice of Bob Hoover in the back of you mind always telling you to be better every time you fly.
If you have read this far, thank you. I urge you to please contact me with any questions you may have.
Yes, the plane really is that much fun to fly. Which means it fly's. So by default, the times will change from what I have posted in the add.
Aircraft Insurance
