New Standard D-25

In 1928, The New Standard Aircraft Company was established in Paterson, New Jersey by famed barnstormer Ivan Gates of the Gates Flying Circus and well known aircraft designer Charles Day. The purpose of the joint venture was to design, build and market a biplane that could take aloft 4 paying passengers instead of the usual 1 or 2. The D-25 was born out of this need and was certificated by the Aeronautics Department (now FAA) in 1928. Unfortunately, the days of the flying circus were numbered and most of the New Standards manufactured became booze smugglers during prohibition and ultimately crop dusters where most of them met their fate. Because of this hard life, there are only a handful that remain out of 62 originally built, and only 5 examples are currently flying today.

Our first airplane, NC9756 serial number 105, was the 5th airplane constructed by the Gates/Day Aircraft Corporation in Paterson, New Jersey in March 1929, making it the oldest active airplane of this type in existence. It was originally a Model GD-24 (Gates/Day, Charles Healy Day's 24th design). Initially powered by a 180 horsepower Hispano Suiza (Hisso) water-cooled engine, NC9756 was converted by the factory to the more reliable Wright J-5 radial engine. This was prompted by the success of Charles Lindbergh's non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927 in the now famous "Spirit of St. Louis." Lindbergh's Ryan monoplane was powered by the "new" Wright J-5 radial engine developing 220 horsepower. The engine change prompted a new designation to the model D-25. Ivan Gates was soon to leave the business and the name was changed to the New Standard Aircraft Corporation. Our airplane has the 240 horsepower Wright model J-6-7 (R-760-8) engine replacing the original 220 horsepower Wright J-5.

The restoration began in 1995 by Bob Lock and Dick Hanson of central California. Their task was the complete fabrication of brand new, scratch built wings. This proved to be a very costly and time consuming job considering the size of the wingspan (45 feet) and the complexity of the upper wings.

Meanwhile, the fuselage, tail surfaces and other components were delivered to Sinclair Aircraft in June of 1998 and the restoration began immediately with a 2 year timetable for completion the goal. The Wright J6-7 was sent out for overhaul, as was the Hamilton Standard prop, and the whole project began coming together when the completed wings were trucked across the United States from California to New Hampshire in October of 1999. The entire airplane was covered in Poly Fiber and finished in Diana Cream and Stinson Maroon. Our logo was hand painted on the side of the fuselage by an artist, just as it would have been 72 years prior when the airplane was factory new.

NC9756 was rolled out of the Sinclair Aircraft hangar on June 8, 2000 and the engine was run and taxi tests were performed. Then at 5:18 p.m. in front of a small gathering of people, test pilot Bob Lock opened the throttle and NC9756 took to the skies once again after a 52 year absence. What an absolute thrill it was to see it fly after a long 5-year restoration. It is now doing exactly what it was designed to do some 70 plus years ago...showing others what it is like to soar with the eagles and fly in an open cock-pit biplane...4 at a time!

Waldo Wright's "Newest" New Standard; our second restoration, was manufactured and delivered in January of 1931 and was factory offered with the latest improvement in powerplant technology...a new Wright Whirlwind J6-7 developing 225 HP. These new models were designated the D-25-A and although they offered a little more in performance and reliability than the old J-5 powered New Standards, only 5 examples were manufactured and our aircraft was the last to be completed.

Our aircraft originally left the factory registered NC150M. In fact the original bill of sale was from the New Standard Aircraft Corporation -- In Receivership! It led a very interesting, if not, comical existence. The first several owners used the aircraft for the purpose for which it was designed; to haul passengers at fairs and local air shows. However research in the FAA records shows that in early 1934, NC150M was caught smuggling in booze from Canada during prohibition and was seized by the FBI. There is a full and detailed police report that lists the pilot, ground crew and contents of the airplane. It is amazing how many cases of Vermouth, Vodka, Scotch, Cointreau, and Rum one can squeeze into the front cockpit of a New Standard!

Our New Standard was soon auctioned off by the federal government and purchased by Oscar Nichols of Newark, Ohio for $1850.00. Mr. Nichols operated the New Standard along with his Ford Tri-motor and barnstormed the mid-west for several years. Jim Nichols, Oscar's son, still remembers this airplane when he was a kid and forwarded me several photos of NC150M, some of which you see on this page. Jim went on to say, "Of all the airplanes Dad owned through the years, that New Standard you have was by far his favorite. He'd be thrilled to know it was still flying".

Mr. Nichols owned the New Standard for 4 years before selling it to Sneed Flying Service in Memphis, Tennessee. V.O. Sneed wanted to use the airplane as an "aerial applicator" because of its tremendous load carring capability, but was warned against using it in this manner because of "its' poor turning ability". Mr Sneed was not to be denied and successfully used NC150M dusting cotton for several years before his ace pilot flew the airplane into a water shed in the fall of 1942. The airplane laid dormant ever since, until 1990.

NC150M, now registered NC9125, has been lovingly restored by Bob Lock, Dick Hansen and the folks from Sinclair Aircraft to better than new condition. It transports thousands of passengers who ride in her to a forgotten time, when aviation was young, and flying was a thrill.

We invite you to re-live the days of yesteryear and celebrate the 100th anniversay of flight, with none other than Waldo Wrights!!!