SUMMARY

The Florida Wing was recently awarded stewardship of this 1943 North American SNJ-4, a real life monument to military pilot training history, and it now joins our beautiful T-34 in the Butch Stevens Hangar facility on the east side of DeLand Airport (DED).  We are seeking funds for a much needed new paint job, and will be restoring the aircraft into the colors and markings of SNJ-4s that were based at our very own DeLand Airport in 1944, then known as NAS DeLand, as a tribute to our own local heritage, and to the men and women who supported the intensive Navy flight training operations that once occurred in our own back yard. 

HISTORY

Before it was N224X, this SNJ-4 was Navy Bureau #27585 and was delivered to the Pensacola, Florida area in 1943 where it was operated from the various Navy airfields in western panhandle of Florida. Records indicate a majority of this SNJ’s life in Navy service occurred at Naval Auxiliary Air Station Whiting, and after spending a brief period in storage between wars from 1950 to 1952, was inducted back into Navy service, then finally retired after a stint in Naval Air Reserve Training at Grosse Ille, MI in 1956. The airplane was sold into civilian ownership in 1957 for the bargain price $1,810 (that’s $16,700 in today’s dollar!) and was eventually acquired by its current owner, the Commemorative Air Force, in 1974. Before falling into the care of the Florida Wing, the CAF whereabouts of this SNJ included Lafayette, Harlingen, Abilene, Dallas, Cleveland, and the last caretaker of the plane was the Buffalo Heritage Squadron in upstate New York.

Research suggests that the paint scheme of the Florida Wing’s SNJ-4 reflects that of a typical Texan attached to Navy training squadrons like VN-3D8 in 1943 - which was the first squadron to have commenced operations at newly commissioned NAAS Whiting Field that same year. However, the current markings do not corroborate to that era of naval aviation, and since the existing paint is quickly approaching the end of its useful life, a new paint job will be required sooner rather than later. As part of the Florida Wing’s efforts to best represent the rich Naval Aviation history of DeLand, Florida, fundraising is underway to adorn N224X with the colors and markings of the SNJ-4 utility aircraft (colloquially referred to as hacks) that once called our airport home in 1944.

PROGRESS

N224X required a very involved (read that, expensive) annual inspection after its ferry flight down to Florida from Buffalo. More than a few components required repair or complete replacement altogether, and our lead mechanic, Gene McNeely of AeroShell Aerobatic Team fame, quickly realized the true scope of the project he was about to undertake in returning this Texan to airworthy condition. Compromised fuel lines, new throttle quadrants and an electric fuel pump, installation of ADS-B, re-weighing the airframe, and the FAA approvals to go along with it all were just a couple of the hurdles encountered by our team as the plane progressed through the inspection. Hundreds of man hours were devoted by several FL Wing volunteers and local T-6 A&Ps who worked long hours every day for two and a half weeks to make this Texan safe for flight with high dispatch reliability.  

TASKS AHEAD

While we have performed all the leg work necessary to make our SNJ a great flyer, N224X has some very large expenses looming ominously in the distance.  First and foremost is the engine overhaul. The Pratt and Whitney R-1340 on our SNJ-4 is approaching the recommended overhaul interval.  We knew this was going to be a challenge early on, and have developed a budget and a course of action to finance the overhaul costs.

The next large cost is new paint. The paint that is currently on N224X is very old (possibly approaching 40 years) and not of good quality.  It’s evident in some areas where paint was not expertly applied, and other areas where it’s starting to peel. It became immediately apparent after it arrived that this would have to take a priority moving forward if we expect to maintain a serviceable aircraft in the humid and salty environment of coastal Central Florida. 

Other modifications planned by the Florida Wing include acquisition and installation of the more durable Red Line disc brakes as well as a new audio selector panel with hot mic capability. 

VISION

Research by our Florida Wing volunteers has turned up photos of SNJ-4s (the same type as the Florida Wing’s) based at NAS DeLand circa 1944. These aircraft served as proficiency trainers and local utility aircraft, and were utilized to assist in the massive amount of operational flight training that was occurring in the greater DeLand and Daytona Beach area.  The Florida Wing is endeavoring to raise capital to acquire the materials and labor necessary to strip and repaint this 1943 former navy trainer.  This process would additionally include removal, recovering, and repainting of all the fabric control surfaces in addition to the prep and paintwork on the metalized airframe. While we did not foresee having to accomplish this project on such a condensed timeline, we feel it is our obligation to view this setback as an opportunity to honor the history of our hometown and the men and women who served at NAS DeLand, and to educate the young people of today (including the hundreds of local Boy Scouts that receive their aviation merit badge each year right here at our facility) about the proud history of United States Naval Aviation in Florida by returning a period correct SNJ-4, wearing the same colors and markings of the Texans that once flew off this very same piece of pavement over 75 years ago.  The Florida Wing could use all the help we can get in making this dream a reality. Thank you for your consideration this holiday season and we wish you all a safe, healthy, and Merry Christmas!