Sinclair Oil Pipeline Patrol Plane Markings

[regular122]

This is my first post to the forum. My Cessna 140 is a 1948 Model, purchased new in March 1949 by Sinclair Oil. Of its 8K hours, 6K of that was put on the plane from 1949 to 1956 by Sinclair Oil Pipeline Patrol. This plane was based out of Oklahoma. It flew all over the country and into Mexico on these missions.

My question is, does anyone have any information on how the Sinclair Pipeline Patrol planes were marked? The plane was originally in aluminum with Red Trim when purchased from what I can tell from the interior and the serial.

Any help would be appreciated as I would like to strip the plane back to aluminum and mark it in the Sinclair colors if I can find them. Thanks, Steve

[2356]

I knew a Sinclair Patrol pilot who has passed away. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had flown your plane. I would contact the Arco Flight Department for that info.

[8359]

I was able to find an old photo of my bird by googling the original tail number, but that one photo is all I could find. Assume you've done that already.

I don't know anything about Sinclair to help there.

[2356]

Sinclair was absorbed by Atlantic Richfield or ARCO.

[regular122]

I knew a Sinclair Patrol pilot who has passed away. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had flown your plane. I would contact the Arco Flight Department for that info.

I was not aware of ARCO. Will try to look in that direction. What was your friend's last name? Maybe he is in the logbooks. Thanks, Steve

[4004]

Steve:

Since you weren't aware of ARCO, suggest you search for a Sinclair Oil signs and logo - also check Wikipedia for a complete history including transition to ARCO, etc. Some of us with a little age well remember their sign and I may have seen one lately in and old station.
For colors you probably can't go wrong using a paint color chart (Spruce) matching with green, red and white from their online signs - you might get creative and include their dinosaur logo image in your paint scheme - possibly on the doors or tail. Some of the vinyl lettering graphics people could probably make you one . Graphic computer apps can do unbelievable things. You would have something to talk about at fly ins considering the history of the aircraft. ARCO folks might appreciate a photo when completed. Just some thoughts!

One of our gurus will probably come on and answer your question as to what they look for - he flies over those "sticks" with wires on them! In my younger years, I rode with one of my mentors in the back seat of a cub with a mechanical pole counter clicker looking for cracked insulators, etc.

2c

[2356]

The pilots name is Jack Hooper.

[regular122]

The pilots name is Jack Hooper.

Did not find Mr. Hooper in the logs unfortunately. Steve

[regular122]

I was able to connect with former Sinclair pilot Virgil Williams, who began flying for Sinclair from 1955 to 1959. While he did not fly the little Cessnas, he does remember them. He recalled round 'HC' markings on his twin Beech and other aircraft with an aluminum and blue scheme. He thought the early fabric wing Cessnas just had the factory stripe but when they went to the metal wings, they painted them fairly bright (white and light blue) with the standard Sinclair marking. Based on our conversations and pictures of Sinclair aviation from the 1940s, I worked up a possible scheme for the late 40s, early 50s period. It is purely a guess.

I am also attaching some cool late 50s Cessna 140A pics Mike Larabee--son of Sinclair Cessna pilot Wayne Larabee--sent me of his dad's plane. It seems to match the description of the later Cessnas with the metal wings. This plane, N9465A, is still out there (in Texas) according to the FAA Registry. Steve

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[2356]

My memory of the 150 based in Gainesville as being white and light olive green. It was later repainted white with dark blue trim with a simple Arco emblem in the tail.