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