05/28/2005. Remarks by Bob Heckler: Manufactured in 1953 for the USMC under BuNo. 125526, I bought this ship in 1971 from Harry Milinik who had moved it to the south end of Fort Lauderdale for a complete rebuild. Harry was nearing the end of finishing the interior and customized the final result for me in white and blue leather. I moved it to Tamiami where I had a small flying school (Eagle Air Systems), with Tommy Ward, who was a Certified Flight Instructor and a wonderful Aircraft Inspector and very adept at keeping this machine flying.

The engine was a Franklin and most of the parts and bearings were certified and legal "automotive" so maintenance costs were very low. The Franklin always ran hot and was prone to cracked manifolds frequently. Nonetheless, I flew it a lot around south and central Florida, landing frequently on the beaches or in concrete company yards when using it for chemical deliveries and showing off. I eventually sold it to an architect in Alexandria, Louisiana, who made the purchase conditional: "if you can fly it here I will buy it". Two days later it was his."