| In the late 1970s John Gokchoff of Santa Paula, CA obtained certification to re-manufure Ryan ST-3-KR airplanes. A couple of the many modifications that went into the new aircraft was the insallation of a Ranger 6-440-C5 engine and a re-design of the landing gear to the Ryan ST landing gear. He designated the aircraft STA-R-5. Of the five he built, N721R is the only polished, all aluminum, one made. The others had fiberglass fairings and landing gear fairings, the entire aircraft were painted. The three others were flush rivited. N721R used original round heads to keep a period look and appeal. John hand formed and fitted all of the fairings, including the aluminum gear fairings. N49086 was the number two aicraft N57015 the number three [N47080 the number one; N48587 the number four and still flying] converted and is now being repaired and modified to the new STC's for starter and alternator by the new owners of the Component Air STC. This along with one other of the originals being rebuilt and 4 additional conversion aicraft will include all aluminium fairings and cowl. contact Kent Gorton kentgorton@bellsouth.net or T. Gardner at gtg15751@gmail.com |