T-35A Buckaroo Restoration

08/05/2026

September 2nd-6th we’ll be at IA27! (Weather depending)

https://antiqueairfield.com/fly-in/?fbclid=IwdGRjcATgRXFwZG9mAWZkaWQWUL458-MNZX5BR2_6nOc8GpOftn9AamV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR7OamP4RCgGIbWPXJlKhfez-p74MWhJeyXzK6NL7JotTkdwqKwhgitojENW5w_aem_MrUFPKcyFBXY7AILpQTMhw

Pre-registered to attend the 2026 AAA/APM Homecoming Fly-in.
1953 Temco T-35A Buckaroo... (New Restoration!!)
Will Kientz from MO
(Colin Harrington photo)
Pre-registration for the event is open and available to AAA members at... https://antiqueairfield.com/fly-in/
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07/28/2026

Some real talk.

Over the last eight and a half years, I learned a lot of difficult life lessons that I wish I could go back in time and tell my younger self.

Before even thinking of starting a project like this, get your priorities in order. Then continuously keep inventory of them. Understand that those priorities may change over time, and that's okay.

Things are going to suck at times. Sleeping on hangar floors, the back of your truck, and either freezing or frying in the back of a conversion van. Trying to meet deadlines that you impose on yourself. Butting heads with mechanics, and the people you're working with due to misunderstandings. Spending thousands of dollars on something just to have to do it again. Fighting with your partner over time management. Most of these can be mitigated through making sure you constantly maintain and inventory your priorities.

You're going to stumble, you're going to make mistakes, and that's okay. Just try not to make those same mistakes again.

With all that being said. Don't take yourself so seriously. Have fun with it! It's not always about the destination, but enjoy the journey. So have some fun, make jokes, and pull pranks! Take lots of pictures to reflect on, even if some of them aren't appropriate to post to the general public.

Lastly, cherish those friends and loved ones around you who are constantly being your cheerleader. Don't forget that they are in your corner. Do not neglect them, and enjoy the time you have with them. Time is our most valuable asset, and our time doesn't last forever.

I was going through photos last night and wanted to post some highlights of those who have helped us along the way. I wish I had taken more photos of the people who have helped us. So in real no particular order... Here they are. There's some IYKYK pictures.

This project would have not been possible without all the love and support we received.

Also I'll never be able to look at Little Caesar's the same again, nor can I go to the Swift Museum Foundation without getting a Castillo Salad.

07/27/2026

We’re finally home from , and I’ve had a day to take everything in.

Pops and I cleaned house…! Grand Champion Post WWII and the Phoenix award.

To think how far we’ve come… with so many friends helping and supporting us along the way. None of this could have been done without the continued support from our friends and family.

Huge thanks to Tailwind Aviation Solutions, Brian Ellingham, Nathan Bateman, Swift Museum Foundation, Inc., Scott Anderson, Paul Barnett, and RT Dickson for getting us across the finish line. Huge thanks to quite a few Swifters (Paul, Sandy, Jim, Terry Hart Gillaspie, Wade, Dana Gibbs Clark, David Clark) for taking care of my pops and shuffling him to and Katie Joyce, Chuck Gorman, and Courtney for shuffling my dad to and from St. Louis.

I know I’m missing a few, but places like Oshkosh bring us all together. New friends and old friends. Thanks for the memories!!

07/25/2026

Final move for tonight’s airshow. It’s been one heckuva week!

07/25/2026

I’ve been DUCKED!!

This is one of the greatest honors I could have gotten this whole week. A college friend and her husband were here with their daughter and they came by to say hi. I showed their daughter the Buck and today they came by and bestowed upon me a rubber ducky.

Needless to say. This now lives with the airplane.

07/24/2026

Tomorrow is the big day. Come see pops and I in Vintage Circle at 10:45 for Vintage in Review. Any dying questions you may have, fire away at pops!

07/23/2026

Only at Oshkosh! On Tuesday the gentleman on the right approached me saying he had been looking for our bird. He saw it in the Airventure Today paper and wanted to see it for himself.

Keith Phillips taught HRH Prince Sultan Bin Abdul-Aziz how to fly the F-5 while he was in the Royal Saudi Arabian Air Force. In fact Keith was the reason why the Swift Museum’s T-35A got insurance. He was in direct contact with Prince Sultan, and convinced the Prince to cover it.

Keith knew my dad, but they hadn’t seen or talked to each other in a few decades. Well today, they got to catch up under the airplane that brought them together. Keith says he still talks to Prince Sultan on occasion, so I asked him to please let him know that the second bird is finally done!

07/23/2026

Wednesday night airshow. A “few” friends swung by!

07/22/2026

We have moved! Come see us at the Vintage Hangar for the rest of the show!