Original Picture when first built. See below for refurbished pictures.
Original Picture when first built. See below for refurbished pictures.
EAA has given the Petit Papillion Little Toot to the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas Texas. The museum has always been on the second floor at Love Field and now they have built a completely new large museum and we proudly have a Little Toot hung from the ceiling in the museum hanger..
The Toot was in need of new fabric and such as it had been displayed at the EAA since 1971. Tommy & Phil drove to Oshkosh to ferry the Toot back to Texas. Tommy has taken on this big refurbishing project alone. Thank you Tommy for all you do for Little Toots and their builders. The fuselage has been redone with new windshield and paint. See pictures below. The wings were recovered and painted. Tommy & Phil Witt just put it back together at the museum and and it will be hung in the place of honor soon. This Toot, N217J, was built by the late James Mahoney of St. Louis, Mo. The name Petit Papillion means 'Little Butterfly'. Shortly after he finished the Little Toot in 1968, he unexpectedly passed away so his family donated the airplane to the EAA in 1971. The recording tach showed only 66.13 total hours. It was ferried to Hales Corner by Tom Poberezny and then on to Oshkosh by Gene Chase. Gene reported "the little airplane flew well with good handling characteristics". It appeared in the main museum a couple of times; the latest in 1987.
When it started getting in bad condition, Joy & Tommy Meyer kept at the museum head about keeping it in good condition until they they allowed Tommy to redo the tail surfaces, let Joy donate a new yellow Canopy cover and then finally allowed Tom to take it to Texas to refurbish. Tommy then arranged for it's stay at the Frontiers of Flight Museum at Love Field Dallas... It is a beauty with full electrical and instrumentation with inverted fuel system.. Mr. Mahoney was quite a craftsman in every sense of the word. The logo is very unique. An Article all about this Toot appeared in Nov 1994 Toot Tails Newsletter. You will see it soon in the Museum early fall.. Go take a look and let Tommy know how much you appreciate his help and undying devotion to all Little Toots.
Freshly refurbished Petit Papillion Little Toot.
Phil Witt and Tommy Meyer after putting Toot back together at museum.
