Serial Number

Model

Registration

Date of Manufacturing

ATC

Price (USD)

Engine

Propeller

Current Status

History

Through Ryan dealer Booth – Henning it was sold new on August 7th, 1937 to J.O. “Toots” Womack, a prominent aviator in Texas. An interesting story is when Womack flew a pouch containing 241 letters from a cow pasture on the farm of commissioner M.O. Holmes near Gilmer Texas to Tyler Texas in this ST in 1938. He received a rousing reception from local townsfolk and civic people. It is the only known case where a Ryan was used to “Fly the mail”.

In July 1940 Womack sold the Ryan for $3000.00 to R.R. Houser who in turn sold it about 1950 to Woodbain W. Vellard. Next owner was Stanley Sikora, date of purchase unknown.

At one time it appears the aircraft was owned by the Defence Corporation during WWII and used in the CPTP program.

Everett A. Hannifin, an airline pilot bought it in 1954 and finally sold it in 1964. He had it in storage, disassembled in the basement of a downtown Chicago apartment building. Ev Cassagneres was instrumental in locating the aircraft while stored and alerting the next owner, Dario Toffenetti Jr. who purchased it from Hannifin. Mr Toffenetti spent some time restoring the aircraft then sold it to Aaron Berkowitz who did some work on the aircraft and flew it often in the Phoenix area before selling it to T Claude Ryan in April 1979. Mr Ryan specifically for the Museum to help rebuild its collection after the devastating fire in 1978. Ryan's estate officially donated the aircraft to the Museum in December 1982 after his death the previous September.

An interesting rumour about this aircraft states that at one point in its life it was photographed at Hamilton, Ontario, Canada without any wheel pants and the rumour is that it was licensed in Canada, but no evidence has been found to support this.

Ownership History

• Booth – Henning Inc. Ryan Dealer, Love Field, Dallas, Texas; 
• J.O. ``Toots” Womack`` Marshall Flying Service, Marshall, Texas;
• R.R. Houser, Bryant Heater Company, Cleveland, Ohio; 
• Woodbain W. Vellard, Massillion, Ohio;
• Stanley Sikora, Chicago, Illinois; 
• Everett A. Hannifin, Oak park, Illinois;
• Dario Toffenetti Jr., Chicago, Illinois; 
• Aaron Berkowitz, Phoenix, Arizona;
• T Claude Ryan, San Diego, California; San Diego Air and Space Museum.

Current Ownership

San Diego Air and Space Museum

Notes

Via FAA records the last name shown with registry N17361 was:

Aaron Berkowitz

Via white pages, November 22nd, 2013 still to check:

Dario L Toffenetti Jr.

Photo Gallery