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Historic Aircraft Recovery and Preservation => Post WWII Civilian Aircraft and Spacecraft topics => Topic started by: John Yasenko on September 06, 2015, 07:38:21 AM

Title: Preston Tuckers stainless steel airplane ?
Post by: John Yasenko on September 06, 2015, 07:38:21 AM
Guys,
Quote from Russ;
Stay tuned for more "Moleski & McKenna: Aviation Detectives"
Still smiling over that !!!!!!!!

Sooo, here we go again;
Long story of my basic knowledge here, but much like the " Little Spook " experimental airplane, a story within a story of  Ben  & his 1935 futuristic exotic supercar.

Preston had apparently purchased a SS experimental airplane which the Air Force and or the Navy commissioned for experimental build.
Ben and his friends called it the "Tin Goose".
Perhaps after Howard Hugh's "Spruce Goose".

What does anybody know about these planes.
My basic understanding, maybe 5 built for both armed services.
Preston bought his at auction?

Last known whereabouts?
Thanks in advance,
John


Title: Re: Preston Tuckers stainless steel airplane ?
Post by: Martin X. Moleski, SJ on September 06, 2015, 08:14:20 AM
Preston had apparently purchased a SS experimental airplane which the Air Force and or the Navy commissioned for experimental build.

Tucker owned a Budd RB Conestoga, with which he "flew the country from Muni with a Tucker automobile in the cargo hold." (https://books.google.com/books?id=CN5B1HQrxDYC&pg=PA59&lpg=PA59&dq=preston+tucker+%22stainless+steel%22+airplane&source=bl&ots=U2KvHjfmtB&sig=mn2VAGLLqrg2hUrbYlRc4H4o1hY&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CC8Q6AEwA2oVChMI-ZC5n8nixwIVARweCh0-JwBM#v=onepage&q=preston%20tucker%20%22stainless%20steel%22%20airplane&f=false)

Wikipedia article on the Conestoga. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budd_RB_Conestoga)

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/10/Budd_RB_Conestoga_in_flight.jpg)

Quote
Ben and his friends called it the "Tin Goose".
Perhaps after Howard Hugh's "Spruce Goose".

I can't verify that as a nickname for the airplane.

It was and is the nickname of the prototype Preston automobile (http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2014/06/19/tucker-tin-goose-prototype-to-be-added-to-national-register-of-historic-vehicles/).

Quote
What does anybody know about these planes.
My basic understanding, maybe 5 built for both armed services.
Preston bought his at auction?

Last known whereabouts?

All questions basically answered in the Wikipedia article (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budd_RB_Conestoga).

17 built.  1 survivor. 
Title: Re: Preston Tuckers stainless steel airplane ?
Post by: John Yasenko on September 06, 2015, 09:24:00 AM
Marty,
The name "Tin Goose" may not be correct.
Will see in the near future. Some early documents have turned up, which may contradict that coined term.

Never is over until the Fat Lady sings, huh?
Just like the Infamous Tucker Convertible !!!!!!!
Amelia's facts also, forever changing when new facts become known.
BTW, great work on the history and search guys.
 
I thought that the plane ended up in Brazil, it does say that it is assumed it was later abandoned in Ca.
Regards,
John