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Builders,
6 weeks ago I put out the word I was looking for a flying 601/650 which I could use as a demo aircraft for the 2025 season, and to have for R&D and development projects. There were a number of good offers, but the one that best suited the mission was Jim Ballew’s 601XL-B in Tulsa. We made arrangements to buy it without the engine and trailer it back to my place in Florida.
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Jim finished and flew the plane in 2012. It is actually only one of his 3 Corvair powered planes. A very skilled and experienced builder, he has been an EAA member nearly 60 years. The plane is simple, no frills, and well built. Just what I was looking for.
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The plane has some dated systems, and some unique installation elements that we are going to update and replace with a 100% standard 2,850cc Corvair installation, up to date all the way down to the wiring harness matching the diagrams on my website.
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Along the way, I will share the step by step process., in pictures and short videos. So the work begins. When you see this plane in person at Sun-n -Fun 2025, keep in mind that all good outcomes can be traced to a single day, the day you decided to begin.
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Above, Myself, Jim Ballew and my compadre, ‘Uncle” Gary Coppen.
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Above, adventure on the way home. Its a long story, People who follow my Face Book Page “WW Flycorvair” got to read it blow by blow.
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The aircraft getting unloaded at my hangar in Florida.
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