04/30/2019. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "The pictured aircraft was the second of four Model 100s.

Pratt & Whitney flying engine test bed (NX872H) (Johan Visschedijk Collection)

It sold to Pratt & Whitney on July 1, 1929, registered as NX872H it was used as a flying test bed. In addition to the original Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp, this aircraft flew with the R-985 Wasp Junior, the R-1535 Twin Wasp Junior, and the R-1690 Hornet engines.

Milo Burcham in R872H (Johan Visschedijk Collection)

(R872H) (Johan Visschedijk Collection)

On September 27, 1933, the aircraft was sold to stunt pilot Milo Burcham, who used it in air show and race work up to WW II as "Blue Flash" R872H. Distinctive modifications by Burcham included the space between the landing gear V-struts being faired in, low-pressure Goodyear air wheels substituting the regular high-pressure 28 x 4 in (71 x 10 cm)tires, and metal panels replaced the fuselage side fabric.

After WW II the aircraft was acquired in damaged condition by Paul Mantz for his stable of motion picture aircraft, reassembled and modified to resemble a two-seat Curtiss F8C-2 Helldiver for the film 'Task Force', circa 1950. It appeared in several other movies and was used in exhibition work at air shows.

In 1966 the aircraft was sold in an auction and the new owner started a long-term restoration. In 1976, the aircraft, still under restoration, was acquired by Lew Wallick, Chief of Boeing Flight Test and Bob Mucklestone, Seattle attorney and a "round-the-world" record holder. Orville Tosch of Aircraft Industries at Boeing Field, Seattle, supervised the restoration, bringing the aircraft in pristine and airworthy condition.

(N872H) (Davis Horn Collection)

Finished in the markings of a P-12 of the 95th Pursuit Squadron, and wearing the serial 29-354, N872H flew again on September 19, 1977. (The original P-12 serialed 29-354 was written off at Cleveland, Ohio, September 1, 1931.)

(N872H) (Johan Visschedijk Collection)

Wallick and Mucklestone donated the aircraft to the Museum of Flight at Seattle to which it has been registered since January 21, 1987."

Read the details about the other three Model 100s and other variants on page 6127.