Travel Air Restoration
Restoring the Travel Air B4000
I was fortunate to purchase this plane from Howard Clark in 2022 after he and his family spent thirty years restoring it. Howard discovered it was bought by the Department of Commerce in January 1930 and registered as NS-5, a unique government number that remains on its tail along with NC13906. The plane ended its government service when sold to Stinson Aircraft on March 14, 1934, ten days after my mother was born.
Howard found a 1931 Department of Commerce Air Commerce Bulletin detailing their livery colors: International Orange, Black, and Maroon. He painted the wings accordingly, and we’ll paint the fuselage maroon in 2024. He also transferred the original logbooks and Airworthiness Certificate to me.
Since 2022, Rob Lock and I have been preparing for reassembly in early 2025, including buying parts, rewiring instruments, reupholstering seats, and painting the fuselage and Department of Commerce logo. Stay tuned for more updates and read more from the Travel Air Archives
Front Cockpit — Look at that compass!
One of two overhauled Wright Whirlwind 760-8 motors that came with the project
Note non-original rocker box covers
Front view of fuselage on its gear
New oil tank
102 inch Hamilton Standard Propeller (I am replacing with 108 inch version)
Wings in storage racks – International Orange so you could easily spot the plane from the air if it crashed!
Unloading the fuselage in Winter Haven, Florida
30×5 Wheel
Nav light
Aileron
Department of Commerce logo decal – we will have hand painted
Original tool kit painstakingly recreated by Howard Clark
Fuselage with center section and engine mounted
Test fitting metal panels
New oil tank
Wright 460-8 on engine mount on the way to Yesteryear Aviation
Rob and Dave wrestle the engine while Howard looks on
Howard in front of his barn, the project’s home for 30 years
Wrapping empennage for the 1,000 mile trip
Loading day
Lots of help
Those wings stand out
Heavy wings
Loading up wings
Glad Dave could bring help!
Howard telling his “grandfather” goodbye!
Sistership NS 5 and Commerce Dept Employees circa 1931
View The Archives
Flip through aircraft documents