I'm just curious about the aircraft modifications.
A friend of mine once tried to get a business going, which would install reverse-pitch props on small twin-engine aircraft.
One of the aircraft which he did install a set on, that work was never paid for; the owner of the aircraft managed to get a judge in another county, to order the release of the aircraft --- my friend had refused to "sign off" on the work ... something about his right to do that as well as F.A.A. reg.'s, I am given to understand.
And then, at some point in the appeals process, where the aircraft's presence was required, "it just suddenly disappeared," says the owner. My friend, at that point, had no money to proceed further; in fact, he hid from us that he had gone quite broke, trying to pursue payment from the owner.
Well, somewhere in the time frame of about 11 years ago, an A/P mechanic up in Minnesssotah ... called my friend and asked if he had ever worked on an aircraft of this type.
My friend said, "Yes; why?"
That A/P mechanic had found some F.A.A./mechanic's papers (of his own) under the seat of the aircraft, which my friend had left behind.
The A/P mechanic was a bit concerned, because he had been asked to do some refurbishment of the aircraft. He said that the aircraft had an NC no. which was obviously not that on these hidden papers, and further, upon his own inspection, he found indications of the old, original NC no.'s underneath a more recent paint job which had preceded this mechnanic's first knowledge of the aircraft.
The A/P mechanic then asked my friend, what truly unique modification(s) might have been made to the aircraft, and my friend responded about the installation of the reverse-pitch props.
The aircraft is a Beech Baron; I don't know the model year, nor the correct, nor the "counterfeit" NC no.'s. I was around when my friend was working on it. In fact, my friend had asked me to help formalize the tech. drawings of the parts and installation, while I was in town. Unfortunately, I was not able to get that work done well at all.
He had some arrangement, a potential partnership with a prop-maker, should sales orders meet such and such a level, I think; but the enterprise eventually, slowly collapsed.
He did refit to reverse pitch props, one or two Beach Barons for the State of Texas, which wished to use them for more effective pursuit of bad guys --- the cops needed to set down quick and in short areas.
The reverse pitch prop equipped Beach Baron was a very nimble aircraft; you could set down and stop very quickly.
My friend died in an aircraft incident, in the winter of 1991. There is some possibility that the aircraft was tampered with; however, I believe that his luck had run out. There was absolutely thick, a 300ft layer of ground fog over a small town destination airfield.
My theory, based upon discussions with him over the years: He thought several passes over the area where he believed the airfield was, would disturb this "soup" enough for him to set down in there. (He'd done this kind of thing before.)
On one of his low passes, he managed to snag the vines in the treetops at the edge of airfield.
Well, he had performed, unwillingly, a "carrier landing of sorts." That "net" of entanglement around the landing gear, did not let go, by chance; and it was almost like a reaching baseball catch by mother earth --- she pulled it in real quick 'n secure.
Goodbye Charlie.
He was a great guy, and he helped me get some breathing time away from home base from time to time. I am not a qualified pilot, but I know my way a wee bit, around the office, so to speak. Including some very "exciting" experience flying here and there, including one actual carrier type landing (successful) on a mountaintop ridge. While I particularly liked the landing on the grass next to the hard strip at Fr. Wayne, one year, in a King Air.
He was a salesman of aircraft and automobiles, and so various toys were at his disposal, on occasion; when I was in the neighborhood, he would say, "Hey kid, how about a ride?"
Yep!
You all are probably bored to tears by this discussion, but for me, a kid who had always wanted to fly, but had been told, "NO!" by the parents, well, I did get some time in the seat.
As well as time in a whole 'nother world from life out in the sticks.
Anyway, I was curious to know if you had any solid recollection of a reverse pitch propped Beach Baron?
Thanks.