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Author Topic: Nobler @ Nat's  (Read 3451 times)

Offline Dennis Saydak

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Nobler @ Nat's
« on: September 30, 2024, 12:22:41 PM »
Does anyone recognize this aircraft or who the builder is? Picture was taken in the 60s possibly in Chicago??
It looks beautifully built.

Just when you think you're getting ahead in the rat race.....you find the rats just get faster!

Offline john e. holliday

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Re: Nobler @ Nat's
« Reply #1 on: October 01, 2024, 10:50:19 PM »
If my memory is correct that has to be Jim Silhavy as his Noblers were red. D>K
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Offline Dennis Saydak

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Re: Nobler @ Nat's
« Reply #2 on: October 02, 2024, 12:54:13 PM »
Thanks guys. Possibly you are correct, but I'm not convinced.
IIRC, Silhavy's nobler(s) (that I'm aware of) were painted light blue, with dark blue trim.
I'm going to check my annual mags to see if I can locate a picture of Jim's nobler. Unfortunately, the person who took the photo of the red nobler is no longer with us. 
Just when you think you're getting ahead in the rat race.....you find the rats just get faster!

Offline afml

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Re: Nobler @ Nat's
« Reply #3 on: October 02, 2024, 02:56:59 PM »
Time to check the 'Way Back Machine'.
Or at least Wynn Paul's Stunt History books for a start.
The 'Thrill of the Hunt' begins!
No.... Not Bob....
Although Bob Hunt did build a red 'Simonized Nobler'.(sp?)
Story is in another thread on this site...

Stay safe!  Stay well!
"Tight Lines!" H^^
Wes
Wes Eakin

Offline Dennis Saydak

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Re: Nobler @ Nat's
« Reply #4 on: October 02, 2024, 05:30:05 PM »
According to my research (A.M. Annuals) Jim Silhavey won first place in open aerobatics at the 1961 and 1965 Nats. Here's a picture of his 1965 Nobler. It has a simpler paint scheme than the red nobler and no wheel pants.

I've narrowed down the red nobler to be from the 1961 Nats because I also have a picture of Vornholts Mackey Carousel from the same year. It was taken by the same person who took the red nobler picture. Anyone at the 1961 Nats???

Just when you think you're getting ahead in the rat race.....you find the rats just get faster!

Online Ken Culbertson

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Re: Nobler @ Nat's
« Reply #5 on: October 02, 2024, 07:44:36 PM »
According to my research (A.M. Annuals) Jim Silhavey won first place in open aerobatics at the 1961 and 1965 Nats. Here's a picture of his 1965 Nobler. It has a simpler paint scheme than the red nobler and no wheel pants.

I've narrowed down the red nobler to be from the 1961 Nats because I also have a picture of Vornholts Mackey Carousel from the same year. It was taken by the same person who took the red nobler picture. Anyone at the 1961 Nats???
That is definitely '65.  Larry's Blue Angle and Barry Simmons Saber in the background

Ken
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Offline Les McDonald

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Re: Nobler @ Nat's
« Reply #6 on: October 02, 2024, 08:02:01 PM »
That may be John Brock's Nobler.
He was well known in the Southeast during the sixties.
John Simpson and Tom Dixon knew him well and could possibly identify that plane.
As I was told he was an exceptional builder/flyer that lived around Marrietta Georgia. Sadly he was killed when a car he was working under fell off the jacks.
This was right before I started working at Lockheed and I still have a razor plain and a small vice of his that I purchased at a little auction run by the Cobb County Sky Rebels.
I see people my age out there climbing mountains and zip lining and here I am feeling good about myself because I got my leg through my underwear without losing my balance


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