Serial Number

Model

Registration

Date of Manufacturing

ATC

Price (USD)

Engine

Propeller

Current Status

History

Initially owned and operated by the Ryan School of Aeronautics. The first owner became George R. Henry, about June 28th, 1938. He owned it until about December 1942.

The aircraft was then sold to Southern Airways Sales Company. While they owned it they had the engine changed to a Menasco C-4, SN 346, which formerly came out of an army aircraft. Rumour has it that it was used in the CPTP program at Atlanta, Georgia.

In about May, 1944 it was sold to Miss Elizabeth Ellis. While she was the owner it was often serviced by the Memphis Flying Service and Bowen Flying Service of W. Memphis, Arkansas. It stayed in that area up to about 1948.

Sometime later it was sold to Adolfo R. Cuellar of San Diego, Texas. Not much is known about its history during the time Mr. Cuellar owned it, but in a brief note to Ev Cassagneres he claimed the aircraft was lost in an accident and he did not remember what became of the parts. Another source claimed that Mr Cuellar said that the remaining parts were stolen from his backyard or garage, but this has never been confirmed.

In about 1955 it was loaned or rented to a local pilot at Alice, Texas, who either had an engine failure or misjudged a ``buzz job`` and crashed at George West?

The damaged ST was returned to Alice. A Mr. George Smith, and old time aviator, and FBO operator at Alice relayed a story in December 1975. He said that he was asked to rebuild the aircraft but said that it would cost more than it was worth, and so as a result the aircraft was dragged out to a junk heap and left there. The engine was removed and sold. During the mid 60's the local junk dealer collected the fuselage and it is no doubt now pots and pans. Mr Smith also mentioned that the wings might still be out in a nearby field.

He and Ryan enthusiast Mitch Mayborn spent some time walking through knee high grass which the city would not mow because of aircraft parts scattered about, and found the left wing. Mayborn gathered up what was left of the parts and brought it all home. There was very little left apparently.

Further details unknown.

Ownership History

• Ryan School of Aeronautics, San Diego, California;
• George S. Henry, Pensacola Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida and Miles City, Montana;
• Southern Airways Sales Company, Inc, Birmingham, Alabama, Atlanta Georgia, and Greenville, S. Carolina;
• Miss Elizabeth Ellis, Memphis, Tennessee;
• Adolfo R. Cuellar, San Diego, Texas.

Current Ownership

Unknown

Notes

Via FAA records, N17359 is no longer assigned or reserved

Mitch Mayborn was an author, and Ryan owner, pilot, writing at least 12 books on vintage aircraft and automobiles. 

http://projectuninvisible.blogspot.ca/2012/09/the-life-of-mitch-mayborn.html

Photo Gallery