Rod's Aviation Photos ↔ USA ↔ Coast-to-coast Tour 2007



The Rudy Frasca Collection, Frasca Field, Illinois
Down the road from Chanute Air Museum, Rudy Frasca had his simulator factory and airfield. A sign saying "Lucille's Flying School & Hot Dog Stand" sets the tone. A great warbird enthusiast, Rudy welcomed us in person and laid on a flight by his Wildcat. He also encouraged us to sit in the Spitfire's cockpit - broad grins all round!

I am sorry to note that Rudy Frasca died on 11th May 2020. R.I.P.

Aircraft Reg'n Thumbs Notes
Beech T-34A Mentor N54RF 140 Ex USAF 53-3379 in US Navy markings.
Beech V35B Bonanza N6025T 1979 model.
Bellanca 8GCBC Scout amphibian N86756  
Boeing Stearman PT-17 N49999 99 Ex USAF 41-8079.
Bushby Mustang BM-1 N451L  
Cassutt Sport Racer N12SG Spotted elsewhere on the field.
Cessna 170B N3572C  
Chris Tena Mini Coupe N162JA Single-seat, smaller tribute to the Ercoupe. Kit or plans-built homebuilt, first flown in 1970.
Curtiss P-40E Warhawk NX40PE (N40PE) 474850 47 Chinese Air Force (Flying Tigers) markings. Ex Canadian Air Force Kittyhawk 1A AK905, 1052, CF-OGZ, N11122.
De Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk T.10 N48262 Ex WK612, Ghana Air Force G-156.
De Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk T.10 C N589WK C Ex WK589 and still in its RAF Air Experience Flight markings.
Ercoupe 415-C N93922  
Fairchild PT-23A Cornell N64172 39 Radial-engined PT-19. Ex USAF 42-49236.
Frasca Fiat G46 Special N46FG "Bella Lucilla" Converted to a radial engine. Ex Italian Air Force MM52823, I-AEKQ. Marked as MM53097 151-2.
Goldwing ST N3260B Inspired by the VariEze, introduced in 1979, a very successful canard with well over 1000 kits sold - there was even a crop-spraying version!
Great Lakes 2T-1A-E NC3182 (N3182) Built in 1969.
Grumman FM2 Wildcat N6290C B-5 Ex US Navy 86746.
Luscombe 8 E Silvaire N71312  
North American SNJ-6B N9825C BA-34 Ex US Navy 111987.
Piper J-3C Cub NC42733 (N42733) 1945 example.
Pratt-Read PR-G1 (LNE-1) N60894 There's a restored one in the New England Air Museum.
RAF SE5a replica N1916J Built in 1979.
Rudy Frasca in the clubhouse    
Rutan Quickie 2 N7QA Built in 1983.
Rutan Quickie 2 N22TQ Built in 1984.
Schweizer SGS 2-33A N34298 Built in 1976.
Smith (Heideman) DSA-1 Miniplane N601W DSA = Darn Small Airplane. Plans- built design first flown in 1956.
Supermarine Spitfire XVIIIe N280TP TP280 Z In its original colours. Restored at Audley End in 1992. Ex TP280, Indian Air Force HS854, G-BTXE.