In the summer of 2016, Bill Walker, EAA 181454, owner of Golden Isles Aviation and project organizer approached the membership of EAA Chapter 905 to see if it would take on the restoration of Barney Oldfield's historic Baby Lakes airplane. This airplane, Serial Number 2, was first designed in 1950 and was built by Barney Oldfield himself in 1960. It is a scaled down version of the Great Lakes Sport Trainer. In the 1960's, Barney thrilled crowds with his aerobatic performances throughout the mid-west.
Bill Walker was building a new facility at McKinnon Airport (KSSI) and wanted to use this airplane for a static display in his new FBO. The restoration, led by Steve Grey, EAA 9018530, was completed in 6 months thanks to the team of 36 Chapter members who worked tirelessly on the project.
The restored biplane now hangs proudly from the ceiling of the new Golden Isles Aviation FBO. It is on loan from the Western North Carolina Aviation Museum.
