The BT-13 shown here [Registration Number N40018] belonged to A. E. "Harry" Barr of Ironton, OH. It arrived at Abken in 1947. For many years it was hangared in the Quonset hut; in 1971 the structure collapsed, damaging the aircraft. This photograph was taken after the collapse of the Quonset hut.
After Mr. Barr's death, his widow sold the BT-13 to two local pilots, Dan Boster and Ernie Clay, who undertook some repairs on but never made it airworthy.
In 1984, the BT-13 was sold to David Harwell and Gary Brown of Griffin, GA, who, along with two mechanics, drove to Worthington and made final repairs. They said the hardest job was getting rid of the many wasps that had claimed the old plane as their home.
Once the repairs were completed, the duo flew the BT-13 out on its own power; it proved to be as valiant as its name implied!
It appears that N40018 is still alive and airworthy in 2012. It's based at Wildwood-Cape May County Airport in New Jersey. This photograph by Daniel L. Berek shows it restored to its previous glory!
Photo courtesy William E. Martin
Updated June 13, 2012
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