Vintage Wren article has been acquired

[460JH]

About a month ago I scored on an article for bid on E-bay, it turns out to be a Popular Mechanics september 1963. It is an amazing article about the Wren just prior to production. It has pictures of Jim Robertson showing the canard to the aviation editor and how it works. They also talk how the Wren Aircraft Company calls the a HTOL aircraft which means helicopter takeoff or landing. It also gives the retail price of $ 29,950, a sizable boost over the orginal list price of $16,000.
I also have the Aopa august 1983 magazine with the article about the Wren called " Short and Sweet" which I heard about from a very nice fellow named Todd Peterson whom Iam sure you all know. I also have a photo copy of Private Pilot , I think it looks like March 1983. It is very good it starts with "Wren 460: Stol with Safety" very good article by Gary Glassmeyer who talks about having 1800 hours in the Wren.
Does anyone else have vintage articles or brochures?

Jim

[kwmoore]

I'm sure many people on the forum would be interested in reading these. Short of a trip to the main library in a major city, any suggestions?

[C-GOEM]

In the early 1980s I had the opportunity to get a demo flight in a WREN 460 from Todd Peterson at the Buckeye, Az. facility. I did not buy the plane then but did go home with a great 4 page brochere on the WREN 460. I still have the brochere and some oher information. The fantastic demo flight and the incredible specs in the brochere eventually led to a WREN living in my hangar. If anyone is intrested, I could scan the brochere and post it.

Rod

[n2099x]

You guys could always bring them to the flyi-in at McCall. I'm sure everyone is coming.

Glen

[460JH]

I will get all my articles together an get some copies made and either try to post them or send them to one of you guys to bring to the fly-in or post them yourselfs. I would for sure like to get the Popular Mechanics article to Todd Peterson to enjoy.
Just got my new leather seats and carpet in today and also new B.A.S. inertial seat belts which I think is the best investment you can do to any airplane.
Happy Easter
Jim

[n2099x]

I have been waiting for the Hooker inertial reel harness to be approved, it was scheduled for Sun-n-Fun. Hooker is waiting for the FAA. I can't remember why I didn't go with the B.A.S. maybe I need to take another look. Are you happy with the installation?

Glen

[460JH]

Glen, Iam very happy with the B.A.S. seat belts. They are improved over the last set. They claim a quicker lockup time now, and I feel very good about flying with them in the event of a problem. With the slow speeds we could slow down to if need be, I think all of us are flying the safest plane in the world.
I got the utility version which has shoulder belts that separate from the lap belts and have a handy velcro hookup up near the sun visors to keep them out of the way when not in use. You simply set in the seat when ready and pull the shoulder belts down off the velcro hookups to the lap belts and you are set to go. Very neat and tidey.
Jim

[C-GOEM]

C-GOEM is also sporting a new set of BAS shoulder harnesses. They are the two part system rather than the four part type. They work extremely well and I find them both comfortable and simple to put on. However, they would not be as easy to remove as the four part system if your plane was upside down in the water.

The BAS kit was very well designed and complete right down to a special wrench. All components fit perfectly without modification. Once installed, the cabin remains neat and tidy.

Speaking of kits, I ordered the Cowl Fairing Kit from Knots 2U. The piece that attaches to the cowl fits fine but the portion that goes on the fueselage did not fit at all. They sent me another one, but it was just as bad. I do not get excited about putting permanent holes in the plane for something that may have to be replaced. Has anyone tried the Horton Cowl Fairing Kit? How well does it fit and what was the installation time, effect on cowl removal, speed increase, etc?

Rod

[n2099x]

Rod:

I have the Horton speed kit, I think thats why 99X is a little faster then the others. The install time was about 67-70 hrs. for the gear farings, cowl, and wheel pants. I put new brake lines on before I closed in the gear. I had a full 10kt increase when I was finished.

The nose wheel and lower cowl was one kit. It comes with all of the lower cowl pieces and the torque link and front wheel pant. It gave me about 5 kts more speed. I don't know what you would get with just the cowl and torque link pieces.

Glen