Serial Number

Model

Registration

Date of Manufacturing

ATC

Price (USD)

Engine

Propeller

Current Status

History

On June 18th, 1938 the national Advisory Committee for Aeronautics placed an order for one ST-A special. In the memo order from Walter O Locke to the production department, a little note was made to the effect: “transfer serial number with one of the Guatemala ships” and it was signed by T.C. Ryan.

It was sold on August 1,1938 and prepared for a “fly away” delivery. It arrived at Langley on August 6th, and transferred to the “loads section” on December 4, 1938.

Pilot who flew the airplane while at Langley were William McAvoy, Melvin N. Gough, Lawrence Clousing, Joseph Vensel, Mr. Sparks, James Nissen, Herbert Henry Hoover, Harold Moon, William Gray, John P. Reeder, and Howard C. Lilly.

The last logbook entry for the aircraft while at NACA was on July 22, 1944. At that time it had logged 196 hours, 40 minutes, (266 flights, 11 Pilots, 45 passengers)

The Airplane was sold by bid as surplus property by the U.S. Government at Richmond, Virginia on May 15, 1946. The new owner was Walter D. Arnold, who paid $930.00. Two weeks later he sold it via telephone to famous stunt and racing pilot, “Woody” Edmondson. Edmondson removed it from Langley, overhauled it, and flew it in a few airshows. On one occasion he blew the engine while flying inverted over Montvale, Virginia Airport. He immediately rolled out and landed OK.

Edmondson also used the airplane for aerobatic training, at Preston Glenn Airport, Lynchburg, Virginia. Instructor Lee W. DeBerry Jr. of Lynchburg often flew it. He last flew the plane on December 6, 1947. At this time he checked out the new owner, Dallas B. Sherman, a senior Pan-Am captain, who lived near D.C.

Sherman traded a Bucker Jungmann NX-372V to Edmondson for the Ryan. The airplane was re licensed N180Y.

FAA records show the next owner as James Rowland Billhimer of Maryland. The aircraft was deregistered in 1955 and listed as destroyed. Details of the accident unknown. Final disposition unknown, parts could still exist.

Ownership History

• National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, Langley Field, Hampton, Virginia;
• Walter D. Arnold, Bristol, Virginia;
• W.W. ``Woody`` Edmondson, Lynchburg, Virginia;
• Dallas B. Sherman, Washington, D.C. James Rowland Billhimer, Maryland,

Current Ownership

Unknown

Notes

Via FAA records. N180Y was deregistered in 1955 and listed as destroyed.

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