A local EEA chapter is restoring a historic aircraft that was on display at the Manitowoc County Airport.
Hammers, screwdrivers, and other tools are being used to fix the 1947 Republic RC-3 Seabee plane that used to sit on Menasha Avenue before it was knocked over by a storm in 2023.
Joshua Honey with EAA Chapter 383 says the Seabee was brought from Alaska to Manitowoc on a four-day trip after it was purchased by Chapter President and Founder Don Gruett.
“It landed here. They realized this thing is not airworthy,” he explained. “(They) didn’t have anything to do with it, didn’t know what to do with it so he donated it to the county from EAA.”
The plane was able to get it into a hanger, but the chapter didn’t know what to do with it.
Now, with help from Manitowoc County Youth Aviation, the plane is being restored to what it would have looked like when it was built.
Honey told Seehafernews.com, “We’re straightening the tail, we had to rebuild the rutter and the elevators. We had to rebuild the left wing, we had to recenter the wing. And then we are adding a few features that are going to be displayed in April so that the aircraft has more of a presence.”
Honey says the longest part is being done right now as they work on the sheet metal on the plane.
The Seabee is a unique piece in the EAA chapters collection since there aren’t many flying anymore.
Chapter 383 wants to be as authentic as possible with the plane, meaning it will be painted with original colors.
“We’re going to go with canary yellow with red stripes and a black belly,” he described. “So, it will be very eye catching.”
So far, the chapter, also known by their nickname “The Grumpy Ducks” is planning to work on it until April.
After that, they’ll work with Manitowoc County to put it back at its original location on a pedestal on Menasha Avenue.
