Register

The Pembertons and the Golden Age of Aviation Artistry

Addison and Ryan Pemberton with their 1942 Grumman JRF-6B in front of the old terminal building at Felts Field (KSFF) in Spokane, Washington. The family and many volunteers completed the Goose restoration in 2017. Courtesy Dan Pimentel
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The article highlights the time-honored tradition of passing specialized artisan skills across generations, exemplified by Addison and Ryan Pemberton in their meticulous restoration of golden-age antique airplanes.
  • Pemberton & Sons Aviation demonstrates that these rare, complex restoration skills are not formally taught but are nurtured from a young age through hands-on experience and mentorship, enabling them to recreate intricate parts from minimal original data.
  • Despite the scarcity of these experts, there is optimism that the vital craft of antique airplane restoration will endure, as current masters are dedicated to teaching and inspiring the next generation.
See a mistake? Contact us.

A few years ago, I strolled a back alley in Volterra, Italy, and stumbled upon a cluttered workshop where craftsmen were sculpting large chunks of alabaster into gorgeous works of art. Every surface wore a light coating of fine alabaster dust probably dating back to the 16th century. The worn hand tools and the techniques the artisans were using looked as if they had been passed down through the generations—relics from a time when the elders taught their children the family trade and those children taught their children.

Dan Pimentel

Dan Pimentel is an instrument-rated private pilot and former airplane owner who has been flying since 1996. As an aviation journalist and photographer, he has covered all aspects of the general and business aviation communities for a long list of major aviation magazines, newspapers and websites. He has never met a flying machine that he didn’t like, and has written about his love of aviation for years on his Airplanista blog. For 10 years until 2019, he hosted the popular ‘Oshbash’ social media meetup events at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE