1948 A35 Beechcraft Bonanza FIRST FLIGHT In 24 YEARS!

It's been a long road to get to this point, but my brother's A35 Bonanza project is finally ready to fly!
The project plane was transported from North Dakota to southern Missouri with the wings removed, and then reassembled at our private grass airstrip in the Ozarks. Life tends to get in the way of aviation pursuits, and it ended up taking over 2 years to get the airplane into airworthy shape. Finally, on January 4th, I took "Bonita" on her first flight in over 20 years.
This video won't show you how to test fly a 74 year old airplane. There are too many behind the scenes details that would make an instructional video far too long. Rather, this video will hopefully convey the nervous excitement I experienced while strapping in to an aircraft that hadn't flown in so long.
Strap in and enjoy the ride, I know I did!
Ben Weeks Bonanza Pilot

[@woodydroneson]

Lovely to see a plane this age restored and back in service :)

[@RusscanFLY]

Nice bird! Glad to see it back in the air! Nothing like an old school bonanza!

[@tomt6040]

Beautiful airplane! Always have loved the older Bonanzas!

[@BonanzaBart]

Great video and thank you, your brother, and your Dad for bringing the old girl back to the skies where she belongs!

[@willyodell7802]

My uncle owned a 1948 A35 that was the first of 5 Bonanza's and 2 Debonairs he owned. I have lots of pictures of his A35 taken back in the late 50's to early 60's. I have been researching the N numbers from his pictures and the 1948 is the only one currently registered, and still here in Minnesota. He passed last year at 96 and has a Bonanza engraved on his grave stone. He flew a Grumman Hellcat in WWII. Cool to see that fly in community you headed out from. Uncle Bill did golf course fly-ins that I have pics of.

[@Pilotc180]

What they see in those old antique doctor killers is beyond me, and I once owned a 54 D model

[@robertgentry9436]

Congratulations on a great milestone and resurrection of a classic! Way to go, Ben!

[@davidduganne5939]

Congratulations! Nice job Ben. It's great that you've saved another one - a great way to celebrate the Bonanza 75th year anniversary - returning one to airworthiness and flying into the new year.

[@johnmajane3731]

Nice job Ben, great you saved the old girl. Nothing flies like the E series Bonanzas. I hope your brother enjoys it.

[@drmyers56]

Ben, you weren’t kidding when you said you were working on a new video. Loved it. Traveled all over Wa & Or in a 47 V. N2885V. So many memories come back watching you! Thanks.

[@TheManicman1]

Pretty sweet..congratulations on the first flight

[@mefly389]

Excellent video....I remember the first flight after restoring my B35....nervousness and excitement at the same time

[@baigish100]

That was a really smooth landing! Very nice

[@bernardanderson3758]

I’m glad to ride along with you and High Five for the first flight in 24

[@johnsmathers4836]

Ben is Back! Hope you are doing great. So glad to see you back on you tube. Awesome to see this bird flying again.

[@Big.Ron1]

Well done. I have done 2 resurrections. PA-160, and a C-310. A lot of work but such a sweet feeling when the first flight goes so well. Congratulations.

[@billellington3732]

Great job Ben....You are one cool cat!!!! The plane is a beauty....Thanks for posting. I have a B-35 and one day I will get get my gear horn working properly too (very far down on my squawk list)

[@edwardstephens247]

Great video and airplane!

[@davecarnahan-aviation798]

Hello Ben. It is nice to see a couple of new posts from you. I enjoy your all of videos very much... very thoughtfully done and down to earth. You actually helped inspire my purchase of a neglected 1947 Beech Straight 35 a few months back. The ones with your father also bring back fond memories of flying with my dad who passed away Mar 2, 2014. Best regards to you and your family.

[@billythekid3234]

Just found your channel, after watching you get this ole gal back in the air I had to join,, Keep the blue side up my friend!