Waco UPF-7

This journey began over 50 years ago when my love for aviation started. It began by reading aviation magazines my father had collected as a young man during World War II. He was too young for the war and his dream was to be a fighter pilot. Unlike most of you, I started flying late in life. A family with four children does not leave much room for aviation. I continued to read about aviation history and developed a passion for WWII aircraft, specifically fighters. I have traveled the world a little for work and had the good fortune to visit some of the fine aviation museums. Taking pictures of the aircraft in these museums and conducting research on them as well as attending air shows fueled the fire.

When I was forty-five my mother treated my father and I to a flight in a North American T-6 Texan. I was permitted to pilot the aircraft and the flight was spectacular. I befriended two of the flight crew (Russ Loggins and Kevin Kegen) who have become good friends. This is also another story. On my fourth T-6 flight, at the age of 49, I figured I'd better get serious about becoming a pilot. I had the good fortune of being about 10 minutes away from one of the most fantastic places one could ask for, 59S, Evergreen Airport(WA).

It was founded after the war in 1946 by Roy Suggs in the city of Vancouver, WA. In that same year Mr. Elvin Puckett purchased a UPF-7 (NC 29949) as war surplus from the Central Aircraft Company in Yakima, WA. The Central Aircraft Company was a CAA Repair Station for aircraft in the region. Elvin flew the airplane to her new home at Evergreen.

Somewhere in the early 50's Mr. Suggs sold the airport to Elvin Puckett and a former WWII CPTP flight instructor and soon-to-become northwestern aviation legend, Waldo Olson. The romance began between Wally (as he preferred to be called) and NC 29949. Around that time Elvin ended up selling the UPF to him. Several years later Elvin also sold the airport to Wally and went on to found Clark County Regional airport, which was about five miles to the northwest of Evergreen.

Wally worked tirelessly to build an airport that all could enjoy. This is also a very fascinating story, richly steeped in aviation history and deserves to be told another time. Even Charlie Lindbergh used to rent airplanes from Wally while visiting his sister-in law in the area. Wally flew his UPF as much as he could. He would take her to fly-ins and air shows from Washington State to California. Wally had the lowest prices in the area and aviation thrived at his 59S. You could always get dual instruction in 29949 and if Wally felt you were a good enough pilot, he would let you solo her. This was the only place in the world where you could rent and solo a Waco UPF-7. Unfortunately in life, as my Grandfather used to say, "All good things must come to an end.” In 1997, due to his health and the rising cost of insurance, with a tear in his eye Wally pushed his beloved 29949 into a hanger. Sadly, a year later he passed.

The annual Evergreen airshows had become one of the premier events for antique aircraft on the West Coast. People came from all over the country including Waco Guru's John Shue, and Phil and Ruthie Coulson. For the Evergreen airshows, 29949 would be proudly displayed in Wally’s honor. I had attended the airshows over the years and my father flew out of Evergreen several times on his visits. In 1999 I showed up at 59S to start taking lessons. Based on my father’s advice, I learned to fly (and fell in love with) a J-3 Cub. In 2003, the Olson Family decided to sell Wally’s UPF. I had been looking for a vintage aircraft, but more along the lines of a Stinson 108 or Cessna 170B. The sale notice was posted on the bulletin board at Evergreen, stating only sealed bids would be accepted.

After some thought, a buddy of mine and I put a bid in and won. We bought the airplane to fly, but she looked like she needed a little TLC as she had not been annualed since 1997. Here is where most of you who have taken on one of these projects are either smiling, laughing, or shaking your heads.

The process began, one thing led to another, and there she was, in a thousand pieces. Nine years and three months later she is back together. What a fantastic journey this has been! Meeting some of the finest and most generous people I know and their airplanes!

On July 28th, 2012, after being in hangars and shops for 15 years, surrounded by friends and family, 29949 took to the air. At the controls was John Pike who had soloed 29949 fifty years before. What a magical day it was.!

As a steward of this historic aircraft now, my goal is to carry on Wally Olson's tradition of having people experience old time aviation and 29949.

With a 9 year plus project and over 6,500 hours invested, there is a long list of people to thank. I’ll start out with my family first. Thanks also to my parents Max and Betty Kreiter, brothers Mark and Matt, and children Erin, Kris, Erik and Dustin. Thanks to my wife and cheerleader, Sonja Kreiter and her family Johanna, Ken, Nick and Mike.

I would also like to recognize my friends from Evergreen Airport, some of whom did not survive the journey. Jack English(RIP), Art Armstrong, Skeets Mayher(RIP), Dale Detour(RIP), Howard Henderson, Jason Robinson, and Erin Baker are at the top. Master engine builder Jack Lanning(RIP). It could not have been done without master craftsmen Jeremy Harris, Brian Pipher, Doug Haner, Skip Allison, John Shue, Scott Shue, Jerry Brown, Paul Santopietro, Jon Murry, Shawn Miller, Karl Engleskirger, Barry Branin, Mike Chatterly, and Dave and Jeff Sturges to name a few.

A brief history of NC29949 is as follows;

• Built: October of 1940
• First Flight: 9 October, 1940 flown by Waco Factory test pilot HG Campbelle in Troy Ohio.
• 1940 Transferred to the CAA as a ferry plane for CAA inspections of CPTP operations.
• 1941 Transfered to Turrant Flying School in Billings, Montana.
• 1942 Transfered to Helena Aero School in Helena, Montana.
• 1943 Transfered to Johnson Flying Service in Missoula, Montana.
• 1943 Transfered to Central Aircraft Corp, Yakima, Washington.
• 1946 after the war, she ended up at Evergreen Flying Service in Vancouver, Washington.
• 2003 she was then sold to Vintage Flying Service also in Vancouver, Washington. She was restored and is there today.

From the log books I can read where she was flying the day Pearl Harbor was bombed, VE Day and VJ Day. Who knows how many pilots flew her, but she worked 6 to 12 hours a day, seven days a week unless she was having maintenance performed. When you think about it, she has had many hard landings, ground loops, and snap rolls, but no severe crashes requiring her to be written off the books. Fortunately for us, she is still flying today. It’s quite a testimonial to the Weaver Aircraft Company, their designers and the production people, those of the "Greatest Generation," who built them so well!

This October Vintage Flying Service will begin another journey with a new ship, 32023! I am sure it will take less than 9 years, but feel it will be just as interesting. Many thanks to those of you who have made this journey possible. Remember, life's a journey, enjoy the ride!

Kevin Kreiter
Partner
Vintage Flying Service LLC
Sandy, OR