T-35A Buckaroo Restoration

10/23/2026

I still have a few left for anyone who would like one. $75 shipped which is the cost to print them at Walgreens and cost of USPS priority mail shipping.

10/14/2026

Photo from the archives. Our 1946 Swift has been in the family since 1970. Through the International Swift Foundation, (now the Swift Museum Foundation), he set his eyes on tracking down a T-35.

In this photo he is finalizing the installation of a Continental IO-360D. Bumping the horsepower of his Swift from 145hp to 210hp. It is the same engine that is on it to this day.

09/19/2026

During Oshkosh I had a few people want a copy of my photo album that I used for judging..

I’ve refined it a bit to include; my dads story of meeting a Royal Saudi Arabian Prince, a short history of Temco’s involvement with Globe Swift’s, the progression of the Temco prototype to the TE-1A, TE-1B, and the T-35.

It’s 40 pages and includes over 200 photos.

They cost $60/ea to print through Walgreens and I’d print a handful of them if there’s enough interest.. Just let me know if you’d be interested in getting one.

09/18/2026

Some Oshkosh photos sent to me from a fellow Swifter, Jim Roberts.

09/16/2026

Airplanes bring us together.

My buddy Dan wanted a ride in the Buck, and I needed to drop a scope off to a friend.

So we made it work.

09/15/2026

The dust has settled some but I can’t thank these two enough. Scott Anderson with the Swift Museum Foundation, Inc. and Brian Ellingham and the whole crew at Tailwind Aviation Solutions. So I had a little something special made for them.

We reached out to Scott in the early fall of 2018 as he is based where the sister ship is located. He’d also worked on one of Paul Barnett’s YT-35’s. Scott was more than willing to help, though I’m not sure he realized how involved he would become. What started out as “just the center section” turned into four and a half years of work from October 2018 to April 2023 where him and I drilled out every single rivet, cleaned, patched, primed, and riveted back together an entire airplane. From a rusty hull, to boxes of parts, to the airplane you see now.

As for Tailwind, I’d known Brian for most of my adult life as we were both big into Swifts. With my job being out of Atlanta and PXE being an hour and a half south of ATL, it only made sense. Getting in and out of the Buck is an adventure of its own, and Scott was at a point where he didn’t have the manpower to bury himself in the fuselage for all the wiring and rigging. So from April 2023 to April 2026, Tailwind took over. Spearheaded by Nate Bateman and Brian, they helped to see it cross the finish line.

So with the surprise of winning Grand Champion at EAA Airventure/Oshkosh… I had to make something to recognize those who helped to make all this happen, because without them, this wouldn’t have happened.

There are many others that had their hand into making this kids dream a reality. Robert Dickson Sr, Paul Barnett, Kelly Mahon, Nate Richmond, Century Instruments, Keystone Instruments, JAARS, the Gauger family, and plenty more.

So thank everyone who has had their hand in this project, but a HUGE shoutout to Scott Anderson and the Swift Museum, as well as Brian, Nate, Austin, Alecia, Colin and the rest of the crew of Tailwind Aviation Solutions.

09/11/2026

Thanks Mark for snapping these pics of my landing back from Blakesburg!

09/08/2026

Last chance!! The raffle ends tomorrow. This raffle helped launch the project and it supports an amazing foundation full of amazing people! Link below.

All proceeds benefit the Swift Museum Foundation, Inc.

2026 Swift Museum Foundation Raffle Fundraiser - As Low As $40 Per Ticket is raising funds online with Raffle Creator!

09/06/2026

I had a great time in Blakesburg, Iowa at the Antique Airfield fly-in. This marks my ninth year going.

The airplanes are cool, but what’s more important is seeing old friends and making new ones. I got to fly formation next to two airplanes flown and maintained by two amazing people that have had a very positive influence on my life.

Though the heat was brutal. The time spent was worth it.

09/06/2026

While I compile my Antique Airfield photos and videos, The Flight Axis finished up the presentation I gave to our local EAA Chapter.

I’m not the biggest fan of public speaking but I try to leave some words of advice to at the end.

Check out Will Kientz full presentation on the T-35A Buckaroo Restoration! He dives deep into the history, restoration details, and the incredible journey of bringing this rare trainer back to the flight line.

Watch the full video at the link in the comments.