Classic Ryan

摘要

Kozak's Ryan STA Special (STM) N8146 (S/N 457) was ordered by the Dutch government on June 25,1940, as part of a batch of 12 STM-S2 earmarked for the MLD, the Dutch Naval Air Service. Assigned serial number S-21, it arrived on the island of Java on January 3,1941, and flew training missions before being evacuated to Australia ahead of the Japanese invasion.Acquired by the Newcastle, NSW, Aero Club on July 7,1947, it became VH-BBJ on the Australian register. Dorr Carpenter, of Chicago, Illinois, imported S-21 to the U.S. in December 1969 and restored the airplane to its original MLD markings, selling it to Robert "Bob" Friedman of Highland Park, Illinois, in 1971.In May 1999, after flying the airplane for almost 10 years, James O'Donnell of Naperville, Illinois, decided to sell it to Kozak, who comments: "Since then, I have been enjoying each flight and the challenge that goes with antique airplane ownership. The plane is fully aerobatic, but I have not tried much yet, as the airplane is 68 years old. Nevertheless, I am sure the Ryan is perfectly safe for all the basic aerobatic maneuvers."I am not a high-time tailwheel pilot, so it is a very challenging airplane for me on the ground as it does like to ground loop; however, in flight, it is a very straightforward machine."With its classic good looks and bright colors, Gary Kozak's Ryan cannot be ignored and is a prime example of a little known warbird.