Beautiful Elite spotted in MN

[WWhunter]

I was out for a leasurely flight on Friday in the 172. I flew 2.5 hrs. just sightseeing and decided to see if a couple of friends were at a distant airport. Upon landing in Mahnoman, I spied a Murphy on amphibs tied down in front ot the pilot shack. I pulled up to it and it was absolutely gorgous!!! It was white/yellow and on Montana 2200 amphibs. The data plate stated its builder was from Florida.
I left a note for the owner to call me but haven't heard anything yet. Maybe he was stuck in the nearby casino.....or out fishing someplace since it is a long holiday weekend. ;)

[snowyriver]

That sounds like one that has been for sale off and on for a year or so. Nice looking. I remember the Montana floats. Craig

[WWhunter]

Whoever purchased it sure got a very nice airplane. I looked it over pretty good and only saw a couple minor cosmetic issues that are the result of use. Nice color combination and the thing that caught me off guard were the strakes (?) on the tail. Granted I had big dorsal fins on my Champ on floats but this is the first time I had seen them on an Elite, Maybe I just didn't notice them before.

[DocBaker]

Could this be the plane you are talking about?

phpbbforum/viewtopic.php?f=72&t=13451&p ... ana#p48067
phpbbforum/viewtopic.php?f=72&t=13456&p ... ana#p48104

[WWhunter]

YES!! That is the plane. I had a suspicion I had seen it for sale recently. Sure is one fine example of a Murphy Elite. I tried figuring out what was under the cowl and now I know. It must be an awesome performer with that engine. Side effect to seeing this plane....lately I have been seriously wanting to advertise my Rebel and associated stuff. When I see such a fine looking plane I have to take a step back and tell myself, somehow that I really need to get mine completed. I still think after all these years and looking at different planes, that the Rebel is one of the best all around planes available. Really can't figure out why they aren't still actively selling. I know the market sucks right now but there are still guys with money out there wanting a good product.
On another topic yet somewhat related, I know of a lot of guys sitting back and waiting for the EAA's exemption, to fly bigger aircraft without a medical, to be approved. They hope to be able to have something worthwhile to fly other than the current crop of LSA planes.

[c120pilot]

This is a picture of that Elite about 3 years ago at a fly-in breakfast in Florida. I wondered about the spades also, they look kind of big for the size of the plane. It sure is a great looking Elite!


Curtis