The Ramsey Flying Bathtub
This post is something I had on my website in 2005, which my Uncle Irv put together for helping to sell the "flying bathtub" aircraft that he had built. I've recently recovered it from my backups and restored it here for posterity.
This unique and unusual aircraft is a close replica of the original Ramsey Flying Bathtub designed by William H. Ramsey, circa 1929. This replica was built by a licensed A & P Mechanic using the plans published in the 1932 FLYING AND GLIDER MANUAL, which was reproduced and sold by the Experimental Aircraft Association. First flight of the "TUB" was May 15th, 1978 and it was flown to the EAA Convention that summer where it received the VINTAGE AIRCRAFT AWARD for OUTSTANDING REPLICA AIRCRAFT. It has received numerous other awards at fly-ins and air-shows. Following the EAA Convention THE FLYING BATHTUB received a great deal of national and international publicity.
THE FLYING BATHTUB was featured on the cover of the March 1979 issue of SPORT AVIATION magazine and this issue also contains my story on the construction of the plane and numerous pictures. (A copy of the Sport Aviation article is included below.) The FLYING BATHTUB was also one of fourteen aircraft pictures featured in the September 1979 issue of NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC magazine that contained the story of the 1978 EAA air show at Oshkosh and the aerobatic competition at Fond du Lac, WI. HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT magazine also had a story on this aircraft; I believe it was the April 1979 issue. It was also written up in German and South African magazines and was included it JANE'S, ALL THE WORLDS AIRCRAFT published in London, UK.
The "TUB" has a fuel capacity of 20 gallons and at 70 m.p.h. cruise speed, it burns less than five g.p.h. The range of flight is over 300 miles, plus or minus, depending on the winds.
THE FLYING BATHTUB is airworthy and will have a 'fresh' annual inspection at the time of sale. It has been hangared the past 25 years. It still has the original Ceconite Dacron fabric covering, but is showing its age with many cracks in the dope. Rejuvenating the dope may help, but it certainly will not look like it did 27 years ago. Recovering may be needed in the near future.
Many years ago I installed a Narco Escort 110 Nav-Com radio which is powered from a gel-cell battery that is charged by Solar Panels on top of the wing-center-section. This radio is no longer acceptable by the FAA and will need to be replaced with a current 760 channel model. The Navigation side of the radio is usable and is operational. The ELT, Emergency Locator Transmitter, failed a few years ago and is also in need of replacement.
The original bungee shock-cords on the main landing gear are showing their age and need to be taken up in tension or replaced. Under load the wheels tend to tilt in at the top a few degrees instead of being perpendicular to the ground or runway as they were originally. I believe that taking up the tension on the bungee cords will correct the problem. It takes a good hard pull and, at age 72, I don't think I have the strength to re-tension the shock-cords.
This aircraft has less than 425 hours TT on the airframe. The 75 horsepower FAA Certified Continental A-75 Engine has less than 425 hours since major overhaul. A recent compression test revealed: Cylinder #1 = 77/80, #2 = 74/80, #3 = 72/80 and #4 = 69/80 p.s.i. After priming the engine, it usually starts on the first flip of the prop. The metal propeller is a Sensenich 74CK-2-36 and is also FAA Certified.
Why would anybody want to own this unusual aircraft? "JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT". It is very docile, easy to fly, slow and ideal for counting cows or sheep. It has been a wonderful THERAPY for this old man for twenty-seven years and has brought many hours of relaxation following a tough day at the office. Because it is so unique, it is the 'center of attraction' at summer air-shows.
Below are some photos of the aircraft, followed by a scanned copy of the March 1979 article in Sport Aviation magazine.
Sport Aviation Magazine article, March 1979
