Bob Barrett - RV6A

RV-6A N784TB  built by Bob Barrett, Sartell MN 56377

My brother Howard H. Barrett was a U.S. Army Air Corps pilot in the South Pacific and flew two types of P-47’s in combat.   His Unit was also issued P-38’s for six missions and then assigned the P-47N.   Howard got a chance to fly with Van in his first RV-6 and stated that the RV-6 was the best airplane he ever rolled except for the P-38!  Howard also flew P-51’s with the Minnesota Air National Guard.   While I was getting my pilot’s license, Howard started talking to me about building my own airplane and after some study and flying a demo ride with Ken Scott in North Planes is the original RV-6A I ordered the empennage kit in November 1998.

The kit arrived on December 15, 1998 and the process began.  In 2000 I acquired an O-320 160 HP engine that had suffered a prop strike from Bob Leaders at Clear Lake (8Y6).   Howard took the engine to his house and dismantled it.   Howard and I assisted Bob Leaders with putting it back together.

In 2001, I decided to purchase a Quick Build RV-6A kit from Vans Aircraft.  This arrived in July and by then we had completed the empennage.   My visions of quickly having a flying airplane did not happen!  Howard and I had help from many friends but even with the guidance of other RV builders progress was slow.   Tim Mahoney, John Pratt, Herb Nemeth, Dale field, Dick Linquist(Sp?) and assorted members of MN Wing Van’s Airforce provided needed guidance, moral support and encouragement!  I also had help from Dick Schaefer, Virgil Harren, Jim Schneider, and Ron Martin with riveting, wiring, and assembly, etc.   

My wife Terry upholstered the seat cushions and the side panels for me.  Terry suggest the white stripe on each side containing the Numbers and with the help of a friend Lana Martin put the vinyl stripe on each side after the airplane was painted and assembled.   Following that Terry sewed hangar pajamas for N784TB.

My brother Howard was suffering from lung cancer and died on October 29, 2008.   We had started the engine and did some taxi testing before he died.   N784TB was signed off on December 18, 2008.   First flight was delayed until May 9, 2009 by Tom Irlbeck who also assisted is some of the test flying and transition training of my good friends Dick Schaefer and Ron Martin.  Due some heart issues I lost my medical in 2004 and was never able to get it back.  Dick, Ron and I made a number of trips with N784TB.   Dick gave Young Eagle Rides to a number of young people and especially to six of our Grandchildren for me.

On October 10, 2013, I sold N784TB to Jack Hickey of Cortland, Ohio.   Jack is former US Airforce fighter pilot and currently flying Boeing 757’s for Fed Ex.