170 vertical stabilizer on a 140

sheltonmaine · Post by **sheltonmaine** » Sun Sep 15, 2019 9:20 pm

While searching for my next C140 I ran across one that looks like it has a C170 vertical stabilizer on the tail. Has anyone else seen this? Was there a run from the factory like this or is this a one off?

sheltonmaine · Post by **sheltonmaine** » Sun Sep 15, 2019 9:25 pm

Here's a picture

4004 · Post by **4004** » Sun Sep 15, 2019 11:42 pm

I think you will find that's just a dorsal addition to the OEM fin that gives the appearance of the later 170. There was/is an STC to add just the dorsal portion - I have a copy of STC but never executed. IIRC the STC passed to the son in AK and one had to supply one's own dorsal which I believe allowed some latitude with the exact size/ presentation - the photo size looks larger than expected and the sheet metal may have been obtained from a salvaged 170.
There is/was a 120 on our field with one. IIRC the addition to seaplanes enhanced the empennage authority. In addition, looks "sexier" with the "baby 170/180" look and "turned heads".

8233 · Post by **8233** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 7:09 am

There's a 140 for sale on Barnstromers right now with this modification.

https://www.barnstormers.com/ad_detail. ... atid=22200

6898 · Post by **6898** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 10:37 am

Thinking somewhere I read that was a seaplane mod. too?

4004 · Post by **4004** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 1:05 pm

Jeff you are correct - that's what I was alluding to in the penultimate sentence in my post above.

Over the years one would hear and observe that the FAA Alaska folks were a lot more prone to approve mods
viz-a-viz the lower 48.

David, that photo on Barnstormers is the same as the initial post - "small world".

sheltonmaine · Post by **sheltonmaine** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 1:45 pm

Thanks for the input guys. I thought I'd seen a dorsal fin STC somewhere but wasn't sure. I defiantly have not come across a 140 like the one in Barnstormers. I'm actually talking to the guy tonight as I'm on the hunt for a new 140.

8233 · Post by **8233** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 3:01 pm

4004 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 16, 2019 1:05 pm David, that photo on Barnstormers is the same as the initial post - "small world".

That's awesome. Totally missed that in my haste this morning to post the link.

Post by **6643** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 4:10 pm

Dave Wiley (Wiley's Seaplane Base) had an STC. He was based in Oregon, but has passed on (RIP). Don't know what ever became of it.

4004 · Post by **4004** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 11:20 pm

John, that's the one I have, as I recall, I dealt with his son who sold it to me. If anyone has an interest, I can dig it up from the file (pile)

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170 vertical stabilizer on a 140

170 vertical stabilizer on a 140

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Re: 170 vertical stabilizer on a 140