Recently a friend sent me a blurb from another aviation magazine about the restoration of a Beech Staggerwing — arguably the ultimate classic airplane — by the Kansas Aviation Museum. He knew I’d be interested in this particular D17S because it belonged at one time to my ex- and late husband, Ebby Lunken.
Unusual Attitudes: Staggerwings and Soda Bottles
Key Takeaways:
- The author shares personal connections to the classic Beech Staggerwing aircraft, including her late ex-husband's ownership and witnessing the intricate restoration of another specific Staggerwing.
- Staggerwings are portrayed as magnificent but highly complex and challenging airplanes, prone to accidents ("prangs"), and requiring immense skill and labor for their extensive restorations.
- One particular Staggerwing (N1532V/VH-FNS) had a storied history of numerous owners, international travel, several accidents, and continuous restoration efforts, embodying the aircraft's adventurous yet troubled nature.
- The article culminates with a humorous anecdote about the author's ex-husband Ebby Lunken's Staggerwing crash, which publicly exposed a secret ski trip, ultimately leading to his divorce and his later marriage to the author.
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