Civilian Howard DGA-15P
SN 547, N5605
The late Chris D. Stoltzfus of Coatesville, PA (1913-1981), a pioneer ag operator on the East Coast, bought this Howard in 1946 with 802:12 hours total time and 13:36 since military overhaul. U.S. Navy GH-1, BuNo 04393, built as civilian Howard DGA-15P sn 547, was registered as N9011H.
On the left there is the late Karl D. Stoltzfus (1940-2020, K&K Aircraft, Dynamic Aviation, Bridgewater, VA) with his older sister Ruth Ann, and his twin Ken (Preferred Airparts, Kidron, OH) next to their father. The photo was taken between November 1946 and October 1947.
Chris sold the Howard in 1950, and it has been in several hands since then. An electric elevator trim was installed per STC SA4-1308. It was not flown much by most owners as it now has only 1761.7 hours total time*.
The registration was changed to N5605 in the 1970’s and Carroll Shelby (1923-2012), renowned race car driver and creator of the Ford Shelby Mustang, owned it from 2003-2011.
In 2018 Karl bought N5605 for the aviation museum he envisioned, but his passing in 2020 cut that dream short. In a “no holds barred” restoration prior to his passing the fuselage was taken down to the tubing, which was cleaned, inspected and painted with Stits epoxy.
It was then meticulously reassembled with new hardware. The skilled and almost perfectionistic Dynamic Aviation Legacy Team clocked 2,431 hours on the project. They did the hard (and expensive!) work and it is now ready for an easy completion by the next owner!
Here are the details:
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90% new wiring, including in the wings and tail, with connectors instead of terminal strips in several places.
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New floorboards.
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Fuselage wood removed and refinished, roof reglued.
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Most of the sheet metal was cleaned up and repaired as necessary.
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Control cables cleaned, treated, all bearings were cleaned and regreased, new Teflon seals.
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Fuel tanks flushed, pressure tested, repaired and repainted with silver epoxy, with all new foam pads and new fuel lines.
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Wings were carefully inspected and found to be in excellent condition overall, minor repairs to ribs and several flush patches made, and refinished with Helmesman’s Spar Varnish before cover.
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Have 337 on the installation of Polyfiber medium fabric on wings, ailerons, elevators, horizontal stabilizers, rudder and vertical fin, up through and including reinforcing tapes, but the shop did not finish them with polybrush, polyspray or top coat.
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All covered surfaces have been well cared for and are ready for you to finish.
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It appears that fabric-related materials needed to finish the project, including white topcoat, are here.
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Cleveland wheels and brakes and wheel pants.
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The instrument panel is original and untouched.
Except for the fabric work, we are weak on documentation as the project was cut short by Karl’s passing before it’s completion and some of the craftsmen are no longer employed by Dynamic. However, the fuselage is uncovered and all is open for your inspection. You will be impressed by the thoroughness and quality of the work.
The Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN1 was given a major overhaul by Aero-Engines in 1984, with fresh chrome cylinders, and now has 361.7 hours since overhaul. The 12/28/84 Aero-Engines Inc. invoice on the overhaul documents compliance with the crankshaft and other A.D.s.
A new exhaust system was installed just over 100 hours ago.
The 2D30-6167A-15 prop appears to be very low time since overhaul, but no documentation. It has a full spinner.
