1936 Porterfield 35-70

The Porterfield began its brief existence, like many aircraft builders, in the middle of the Golden Age of aviation in 1934.  Edward Porterfield, a flight school owner, was not satisfied with the trainers available in the 1920’s and began designing and building a better mousetrap.  When the stock market crashed in 1929 the country lost most of its airplane builders but a number who focused on lightweight inexpensive aircraft had a potential future.  In those days expensive “sport” aircraft like Wacos could be built for the wealthy who were surviving the depression but the other end of the market was served by companies like Aeronca, Taylorcraft and Porterfield. 

 

The Porterfield Model 35 Flyabout was originally designed by Noel Hockaday and was simple enough to be built by students at Wyandotte High School.  Originally called the “Wyandotte Pup” Porterfield saw its potential and bought the design.  Eventually over 240 airplanes were constructed.

One of the prominent features of Porterfield aircraft are their narrow cabins.  Called “Skinny Birds” they can be a tight fit for today’s pilots.  But they tell an important story of 1930’s aviation and represent the other end of the public flying spectrum from planes in the Collection like the Wacos and Travel Airs. 

 

The Collection’s example was built in 1936 and featured a LeBlond radial engine of 70 horsepower.  When it was restored an 85 horsepower LeBlond 5DF engine was installed giving it slightly better climb performance.  The LeBlond radial engine was first developed beginning in the 1920’s.  The DF model was introduced n 1930 and has 266 cubic inches.  It features 3 bearings supporting the crankshaft but is one of the last radial “greaser” motors which did not have overhead oiling of the cylinders requiring manual greasing of the rocker boxes before flight. 

 

The LeBlond company sold to the Rearwin Aircraft Company in 1937 and were renamed Ken-Royce after the Rearwin founder’s two sons.  Rearwin built it own tandem seated trainer aircraft similar to the Porterfield and the two planes may be mistaken for one another by the unpracticed eye.