And some more....

Incredible photos of the avionics! Can’t tune split frequencies likely because the COM transceivers are 360 channels; the NAV are 100. That’s was all that was needed back in the day. Note how most all the remote boxes have shock mounts! That has got to be the best equipped Baron in the fleet when new. Now what is the weight of all that stuff?

Here’s a pic of something from under the panel, pilots side above rudder pedals. Don’t know if it’s part of the radios or the auto pilot? I’m thinking autopilot because it says Mitchell? Anyways, here’s a pic of it and also the forward bulkhead inside the nose of the Mitchell autopilot roll servo. And last, the auto pilot control panel to the right of the center console.

Michael

If it says Mitchell, it’s part of the autopilot.

Michael,
Congrats on your new baron!

I'm excited to inform you that you don't have a B55. You do have a BE55, but the designation is 95-55, not 95-b55.

As you can see here, the first b55s were produced in 1964: https://www.bonanza.org/aircraft-index/ ... on-95-b55/

Do you know the serial on your "straight" 55? The first 190, built in 1961, were given that designation: https://www.bonanza.org/aircraft-index/ ... ron-95-55/

I'm looking forward to seeing what happens to your weight/balance and performance when you get the boat anchors out of the instrument panel. The power to weight ratio on these early light barons makes them best of breed, as others have mentioned.

Blue Skies, and don't flare too high
-J

Jourdan is correct... straight 55 it is! Waiting for s/n of this extraordinary early Baron.

TC-187

Going over the early (type writer written... remember those?!) w@b sheet after the radio install, it looks like the useful load is only about ~1500lbs, indicating approx ~400lbs of hydrophobic “boat anchor”. I think as I pull the individual “anchor” boxes out of the nose, I’ll give them away to anyone who would like a desk decoration slightly more interesting than their kids painted pet rock? Or maybe auction them off with all proceeds going to avionics improvement of the new family member?

Michael

So here’s the list of obvious squawks after the first day poking around in the hanger. The plane is “in annual” but there’s always going to be something, and after seeing all the ancient avionics boxes in the nose, I’m relieved this is all that was obvious.

First, the NAV lights breaker/switch immediately trips when turned on (will not stay in the ON position). This is accompanied by at least the left side, which was the only one I was looking at, flicking on then immediately off, and a “popping” sound in the overhead cabin speaker (like a momentary break in squelch). All the other external lights, beacon, strobes, landing and taxi lights work.

Second, the left cowl flap will not actuate. It’s in the open position, but the switch has no affect...Accept, when the right cowl flap switch is switched to “closed” and it actually closes, then the left switch is selected to closed, the cowl flap position light immediately extinguishes, however the motor does not run and the the flap obviously remains open.

Third, the autopilot doesn’t seem to work, but who needs one of those, haha!

The O2 tank is empty and looks like it went out of date in the ‘70’s and will need to be replaced.

We haven’t even tried turning on the heater/blower so don’t know about it’s condition, but will assume, it’s inop. After I can give it a good look see, I’ll try it out.

And lastly, the right main fuel tank cap seems to not be sealing correctly and will need to be addressed. The plane sat out one night in light rain that I’m aware of and we drained 5 tester cup fulls of H2O before we got to avgas. Also, after the short flight, there was a light blue streak from the cap to the trailing edge of the wing.

That’s all for now, more to come as we dig deeper!

Michael

So just went back and read the admins note about this sub forum being only for introductions and I’m starting to get deeper into the question/answer side of things so I’ll plan on moving over to the Beech Twins forum from here on.

Again a very sincere thanks for the warm welcomes!

Michael