Dates

Event

Constructed as an UPF-7.

By 20 May 1968

To unknown owner with c/r N30136.

20 May 1968

Involved in an incident.
Summarized NTSB narrative from report number DEN68F0265: There were no fatalities. Incident occurred at 15:15 hours. The damage was substantial. Incident occurred at the Grants-milan Airport, Grants, NM. Ground looped or water swerved during the takeoff run. The gear collapsed during the takeoff run. The factors included; unfavorable wind conditions and overload failure. The sky conditions were unknown/not reported. The visibility was 5 or over (unlimited)...
For a complete description of the event read the NTSB Report.

4 April 1980

Certificate of airworthiness for NX30136 (UPF-7, 5533) issued.

Photographer: Charlene Aro

Photographer: Charlene Aro

22 June 1982

Photographer: Dick Hopkins
Notes: Photographed at Merced, CA.

3 October 1982

Crashed.
The accident occurred at the Albuquerque Airport (ABQ) Albuquerque, NM, United States while landing. The damage was substantial. Upon completion of an airshow the pilot returned to coronado airport. Upon touchdown the aircraft tried to nose over a go-around was made. After two touch gos the pilot isolated the problem to a locked right brake so he attempted to remedy the problem by cutting the brake line at the master cylinder. He then made another touch go the aircraft again tried to nose over...
For a complete description of the event read the NTSB Report.

30 October 1983

Photographer: Larry Johnson
Notes: At Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport, Florida in 1983

14 September 1985

Photographer: Nick Taylor
Notes: Jimmy Franklin at the controls of the Waco Mystery Ship with wingwalker Johnny Kazian waving to the crowd at the Reno National Championship Air Races 1985. Note the multiple Skyfire cameras mounted to the Waco.

14 September 1985

Photographer: Nick Taylor
Notes: Jimmy Franklin holds the Waco Mystery Ship in a knife edge pass in front of the home pylon while Johnny Kazian rides along on the upper wing. Taken at the 1985 Reno National Championship Air Races.

July 1990

Photographer: Tom Tessier
Notes: At MCAS El Toro, CA Open House

4 March 1992

To Kyle A. Franklin, Neosho, MO keeping c/r N30136.

24 June 1995

Photographer: Mike Henniger
Notes: Photographed at the National Capital Air Show at Ottawa, Ontario.

24 June 1995

Photographer: Mike Henniger
Notes: Photographed at the National Capital Air Show at Ottawa, Ontario.

By 12 July 1997

To unknown owner with c/r N30136.

12 July 1997

Crashed.
The accident occurred at the Springfield Capital Airport (SPI) Springfield, IL, United States while maneuvering. The damage was substantial. The pilot said that he was performing an airshow routine with another airplane. He had just come across the top of a 1/2 cuban eight maneuver and visually located the other airplane, as he was maneuvering for an opposing pass. He stated, Descending back to show center, I lost sight of the other airplane due to my top wing being in my line of sight...
For a complete description of the event read the NTSB Report.

26 October 1999

To Kyle A. Franklin, Neosho, MO keeping c/r N30136.

1 January 2004

Certificate of airworthiness for NX30136 (UPF-7, 5533) issued.

20 June 2009

Photographer: Glenn Chatfield
Notes: At the Quad Cities Air Show, Davenport, IA

20 June 2009

Photographer: Glenn Chatfield
Notes: At the Quad Cities Air Show, Davenport, IA

30 July 2009

To unknown owner with c/r N30136.
Registration pending to a new owner in Ruidoso, NM.

28 January 2010

To Jim Franklin Aviation Service Inc, Ruidoso, NM keeping c/r N30136.

15 April 2010

Photographer: James Eubanks
Notes: Sun-n-Fun, Lakeland FL

15 April 2010

Photographer: James Eubanks
Notes: Sun-n-Fun, Lakeland FL

15 April 2010

Photographer: James Eubanks
Notes: Sun-n-Fun, Lakeland FL

12 March 2011

Crashed.
There were two serious injuries. The accident occurred at Brownsville, TX, United States. The damage was substantial. On the day prior to the accident, the pilot performed a solo air show flight and the engine lost power during the taxi after landing. No anomalies were noted that caused the loss of engine power. About one hour prior to the accident flight, the pilot performed a solo air show flight with no anomalies...
For a complete description of the event read the NTSB Report.

Circa April 2011

Transported by ground.
The aircraft was moved to its home base of Neosho, MO (KEOS) shortly after the accident, where it was disassembled, cleaned, and evaluated for restoration.

Circa July 2011

The fuselage frame was moved to Fort Worth, TX for structural repairs.

Circa August 2011

Moved to Fayetteville, AR for fabrication of new landing gear, modification and installation of engine mount, final media blast of fuselage tubing, and prime / paint of same.

13 November 2011

Photographer: Brad Donner
Notes: Lower Left wing panel after removal of fabric and inspection. Three of the four wing panels were relatively undamaged in the March 2011 accident, but it was decided to build new wings during the current rebuild and retain the old wing panels as potential spares.

Partially completed new wing panels and fuselage frame (on landing gear) moved to Neosho, MO (KEOS). Rudder and vertical fin shipped to Jamie Treat of Elbert, CO for inspection and repair.

Photographer: Brad Donner
Notes: Fuselage frame being readied for transport to Fort Worth, TX for structural repairs.

Photographer: Brad Donner
Notes: Fuselage frame during structural repairs. A rare moment when the fuselage frame was out of the jig.

Photographer: Robert Bell (deceased)
Notes: The unique Franklin rigid mount gear was initially installed when the aircraft was modified with the R-985 engine. The taller gear was required for propeller clearance and was contrived to take impact and deceleration loads in the event of a mishap. This photo was taken by Robert Bell in his shop. Bob was a great welder, fabricator, and structural guru. Sadly, he was killed in an auto accident in 2014.

Photographer: Robert Bell
Notes: Fuselage frame after repairs, installation of new landing gear and engine mount, and media blast, prime, and paint. The orange frame color is a duplication of what was used by Jimmy Franklin when he first modified the aircraft for air show flying. This color was commonly used by crop dusters with the belief that it would clearly reveal cracks or breaks in the steel fuselage frame.

15 November 2011

Photographer: Brad Donner
Notes: Upper Wing Panels after fabric removal. These will also be retained as spares only.