184
ST-A Special (ST-M)
Mexican Export #3 N7828C N17360
November 1937
681
Unknown
Menasco C-4S 150 HP SN 329, 334
Hartzell D-718 SN 16551 Fahlin D731 SN 71-014
Airworthy
Serial Number
Model
Registration
Date of Manufacturing
ATC
Price (USD)
Engine
Propeller
Current Status
History
Sold new on December 9, 1937, crated and shipped to the secretary of Defence in Balbuena, Mexico. It was used as a static display or monument at the school in Guadalajara, Jalisco, in 1940. In February 1958 the airplane was found and returned to the USA by Joel Mcneal, kept in storage and eventually sold in July 1965 to James Flatland. It was then assigned the registration N7828C. Flatland kept it in his garage at Redondo Beach, California for some time until he sold it in March 1971 to James Dewey.
Dewey spent considerable time in the restoration process, and turned out one of the finest looking ST rebuilds done to date.
During the rebuild Dewey applied to the FAA for a more appropriate registration and received N17360 on November 18, 1971. The original N17360 Ryan was SN 165, which was shipped to Venezuala.
This is currently the only on of the original six Mexican Ryan’s flying, and one of two known to still exist.
On May 6th and 7th, 1972 T Claude Ryan and Bill Wagner of the Ryan company flew up to Paso Robles for the annual west coast ST fly-in. The dropped T Claude Ryan off at San Louis Obispo so that he could fly in from there with Jim Dewey in this Ryan. It is believed to be one of the last Ryan ST`s that Claude Ryan flew in before he passed away.
The aircraft was offered for sale in 2002, while owned by Roger Sherman in Florida, at an asking price of 85,000 USD to this author. After viewing the aircraft I chose not to purchase it, a decision I have often regretted!
The airplane is currently based in Germany, and maintained in a beautiful airworthy condition.
Ownership History
- J.M. Bracho, Mexico, D.F,: Secretary of Defence, Department of Aeronautica, Mexican Air Force, Escuela Military De Aviacon, Baluena Airfield, Mexico City;
- Capt. ? of Ensenada, California, Baja, California;
- Joel Mcneal, San Diego, California;
- James Flatland, Redondo Beach, California;
- James Dewey, Santa Paula, California;
- Jack Connelly, Callierville, Texas;
- Robert Fergus, Dublin, Ohio, and Ocala, Florida;
- Roger W. Sherman, M.D., Leesburg, Florida;
- Gunther Kaelberer, Mengen, Germany.
Current Ownership
Gunther Kaelberer
The aircraft is based in Mengen, near Munich, Germany with Mr. Kaelberer`s private museum, Antique Aeroflyers, and hangared with a number of other airworthy vintage aircraft.
Notes
Via FAA records, N7828C is not currently assigned or registered.
Photo Gallery
