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Terraplane

What's New For 2010

Our current project is for M&M Air Service of Beaumont Texas. M&M operates 9 turbine Air Tractors and has one of the largest fleets in Texas. It is a highly diversified company that does everything from ag work to firefighting. Founded in 1946, this third-generation family-owned company is starting their 63rd year. After WWII, they started their business with a few Stearman aircraft. By 1949, things were going well enough to purchase 42 more from the government for $55.56 each (yes, that $55.56 is correct; they even have the original receipts to prove it!). Some of those aircraft operated all the way up until 1974. Today, they have one Stearman left--old Double-Zero, which stands for two-holer. It was the only two-hole Stearman they ever owned and was used for checking out new pilots. The fuselage was never cut for a hopper nor was it ever used as a sprayer, but it had not led a sheltered life. It has a few scars from being on its back and a spar slice or two, but that's all part of a way of life that has faded into aviation history. In the early morning hours on September 13, 2008, Hurricane Ike hit the Texas coast. This is what the hangar looked like after the storm moved through. The plane survived with out any major structural damage, but had quite a bit of fabric and wing/tail damage from flying debris.

Andy Mitchell, grandson of the founder, then contacted us to restore this plane back with its original company logo and paint scheme. Here's a picture of the plane when we started.

Click here to visit a photogallery detailing the restoration of this plane. Click here to see the M&M plane upon completion.