SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Dec. 7, 2009 – The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company will host a preview of the rare 1929 Hamilton Metalplane H-47 (serial No. 65) scheduled to sell at No Reserve during the 39th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale Jan. 18-24, 2010. The preview is free to the public and will take place Saturday, Dec.12 - Sunday, Dec. 13 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. each day at Fleming Field Airport. The preview will give potential buyers and aviation enthusiasts a chance to view the plane and meet Barrett-Jackson officials before it is sold. Fleming Field is located at 340 Airport Road, Hanger 5 in South St. Paul, Minn., 55075. The Hamilton Metalplane is No. 22 of only 29 built and the only airworthy example of its type in existence.
“Collectors and enthusiasts across the country will enjoy a detailed look at this stunning aircraft inside the same hanger where it was restored more than 35 years ago,” said Craig Jackson, Chairman/CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “This could very well be the last chance to see the Hamilton before it enters a private collection.”
The peerless restoration of the Hamilton Metalplane (Lot #1307) began in 1972 after Jack Lysdale, aviation expert and fixed base operator at Fleming Field, purchased the aircraft following an abandoned restoration attempt. Many parts had to be fabricated from scratch, including the seats, nose cowlings, firewall, fuel and oil tanks, controls and electrical systems. The Metalplane was reskinned with specially manufactured corrugated aluminum rolled from original dies by the Alcoa Company. The engine is a massive Pratt & Whitney Hornet R-1690 with 525 horsepower at 1900 rpm. Once completed, the Metalplane won the prestigious Grand Champion trophy at the Antique Airplane Association National Convention in 1975, as well as the Silver Age Champion award at Oshkosh in 1976.
“Last year our preview of the Ford Tri-Motor was well attended and generated tremendous interest in the plane before it sold in Scottsdale,” added Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “The Hamilton is an equally impressive aircraft with a storied past, so we expect strong crowds and excitement in Minnesota for the preview.”
About The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company
Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces “The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions™” in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Fla., Las Vegas and Orange County, Calif. Barrett-Jackson also endorses a one-of-a-kind collector car insurance offering for collector vehicles and other valued belongings. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit www.barrett-jackson.com or call (480) 421-6694.
