Zenith N392V

One of only five built, N392V is a 1929 Z6A Zenith biplane, the third one built, and only A model.  Seating up to 6 passengers in a cabin ahead of the pilot, the Zenith could also carry a lot of baggage. The Zenith’s have an interesting and nearly unknown history.  One was lost in Mexico, one in Alaska, the others are missing in action, and only 392V survives.

She was flown by Bennett Air Transport of Boise Idaho,

transporting most anything  that would fit through the door, including a cow. Later it was converted to spray-plane use in Idaho.

Purchased at auction by John Mullen in 1986 and brought to St. Louis.
Zenith 392V is now on permanent display in the Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum.

Entering the shop
June 1996

Wingspan……….41 1/2′
Length……….30′ 10″
Height……….10′ 10″
Wing cord……….6′
Empty weight……….2845 lbs.
Gross weight……….4394 lbs.
Cruise speed……….125 mph.
Max speed……….150 mph.
Stall speed……….58 mph.
Rate of climb……….1130 fpm.
Fuel capacity……….98 gal.

April 2001   Fuselage is covered

May 2001   Fuselage is painted

October 2001   Cockpit

November  2001  Engine hooked up

December 2001  Fitting cowling

December 2001   Cowling finished

February 2002   Fuselage is ready for the landing gear.

Cockpit

Interior is finished

Tail is fitted and ready for cover

Brandyn covering an elevator

Getting closer piece by piece.  For size comparison Brandyn is 5’10” tall.

Vertical tail is finished

Wing covered

Brandyn lacing the ribs

Waiting for the paint shop

Brandyn sanding the tail

Horizontal tail and one aileron finished

Putting fabric on the 3rd wing

Poly-Brush going on lower right wing

Finished wing

Covering the last wing

Rib lacing on last wing

Covering the LAST piece

Color going on the last wing

Wings nearly on

Wings are on

All the big pieces assembled

The big kid making aeroplane noises

Ed Burnet is A. A. Bennett’s nephew and has many childhood memories of this aeroplane.

The big WASP is buzzing again !!
(Pratt & Whitney Wasp R-1340 550hp)

Moving under its own power for the first time in 40 years

The second time

It is roaring this time

Here we go !!

( 4 years later )

Back on the ground

Can we do it again !! ??

Again !!

Details all finished

Let’s go someplace

Are we almost there yet ??

Finally !!

How about Oshkosh !!!!

Right in front next to Addison’s Boeing 40

AirVenture Oshkosh 2008
Outstanding Open Cockpit Biplane
SILVER AGE (1928-1932)

Almost home