Great Lakes 2T-1E (Modified)

Shortly after the first four were built, Great Lakes changed the straight upper wing to a swept-back design to correct a tail-heavy condition. This modification greatly improved balance, directional stability and markedly improved snap rolls and spins. NC11318 rolled out of the Great Lakes factory as one of 12 designated as a model 2T-1E powered with an inverted 95hp Cirrus high-drive Ensign engine. It was one of five or six purchased by T. Claude Ryan for his Ryan School of Aeronautics in San Diego, CA. 

It then passed through the hands of eleven owners before being purchased by Harold Krier, a legend in the world of aerobatics. Circa 1960, Krier entirely rebuilt the plane, powered it with a 165hp Warner radial engine and changed the registration number to N108C. In 1966 Krier sold it to aerobatics champion Charlie Hillard who competed in this machine, now registered as N108CH, for a few years. Multiple variations of Great Lakes trainers dominated aerobatic competitions for nearly 40 years. By 1970, the Great Lakes had fallen out of favor and aerobatic professionals moved on to Pitts, Christen Eagles and other high-performance aircraft.

After passing through the hands of several more owners this historic Great Lakes was fully restored in Florida in the 1990s. It was then partially restored and recovered between 2010-12. From 2012, it was owned and flown some 300 hours by a California couple. In May of 2024 it was purchased by Aerodrome pilot, Brad Gould, and is flown regularly during our weekend shows. Today, it is one of at least two known 2T-1E types to still be flying.

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