Marc Koelich
12/16/2002 09:31
Case#225 : FF-553 is 45-11553, surplussed at McClellan AFB in 1957,
registered N5414V. It changed owner and registration a couple of times and was rebuilt in the 80's
with parts from 45-11571 N5415V. There was most probably a transfer of paperwork as FF-553 is now
N5415V.
Doug Scott
10/07/2011 09:30
I think this plane was owned and restored by Rick Smith and later sold to Bill Reinschild.
Dave Stevens
10/20/2012 22:32
True. I knew Rick when he kept the plane hangered at El Monte. I was out there a few times while he was working on it...he kept it in beautiful condition. I did a painting of him and the -51, and for payment he gave me the option of cash or a flight in the plane. You can guess which I chose. He had a jump seat where the radio gear used to be, and I can tell you, the local area never passed beneath so quickly.