by ANN Correspondent John Dorcey

Among the hundreds of warbirds at AirVenture 2006, this particular one really shines. Pete and Dewie Quortrup, of Plano, TX are the proud owners. They were busy wiping off last night's rain as we spoke. The Quortrups purchased the airplane in 2001 and quickly began an extensive restoration.

Beechcraft completed construction on this SNB-1 on August 30, 1942. Its first assignment was to Naval Air Station Jacksonville (FL) as an instrument trainer. The design was very versatile; some used as bombing trainers complete with glass noses and bomb bays. Others served as gunnery trainers utilizing a turret mounted above and behind the cockpit and a fixed tunnel gun firing aft.

In September 1949, the aircraft returned to Wichita for conversion to an SNB-5. The airplane was assigned to various Naval Air Stations, mostly in the southeast United States. After performing several functions, its last flight for the Navy was on December 14, 1968.

The aircraft continued its government service after the state of North Carolina purchased it. The plane maintained its military configuration. It was painted an overall yellow. The state used it in its forestry program. In 1985, the airplane was sold at an auction. It had two other owners before the Quartrops.

After deciding to keep the airplane polished, they spent eight months stripping and polishing the large craft. The tail wheel and control surfaces were returned to their original configuration. The cockpit and cabin underwent an extensive updating and refurbishment.

Pete and Dewie fly the airplane extensively using it as a family vacation vehicle. They also visit Sun and Fun, Reno, and of course, the Tullahoma Beech Party. Their first visit to AirVenture with the airplane was in 2003. In 2004, they were invited to attend NAS Jacksonville's open house.

"We felt like we were bringing the airplane home," Pete said.

"The Navy was very nice to us," Dewie added.

FMI: www.airventure.org