GossHawk Unlimited

GossHawk Unlimited, Inc.
SPECIAL RESOURCE SECTION
RESTORATION FACILITIES &
AVIATION PARTS COMPANIES
G
GossHawk Unlimited
OSSHAWK UNLIMITED is a restoration and
maintenance facility specializing in vintage and
warbird aircraft. Our staff comprises 200 years of
combined experience and our in-depth knowledge ranges
from World War I planes constructed with wood and fabric, to
World War II fighters, to more modern jet-era aircraft. Dave
Goss, president and founder, started GossHawk Unlimited in
May of 1995 in Mesa, Arizona. For many decades, prior to
and including GossHawk, Dave has been actively involved
with and restored many famous and notable aircraft.
As a college student, Dave began working at the Champlin Fighter
Museum where he developed skills and knowledge complementing
his military background and hands-on expertise gained previously,
while employed at other aircraft facilities. Promoted from
mechanic to Director of Restorations, Dave led the mission to
fully restore the Kawanishi N1K2-J “George” from the ground
up — the most famous aircraft restoration project embarked upon
and completed during his tenure. Incidentally, at the time, she was
the only restored “George” in the world. The Champlin Fighter
Museum funded this complex assignment to rebuild and preserve
this historic fighter for the Smithsonian National Air and Space
Museum (NASM). The “George” was restored to museum-quality
standards, in accordance with the Smithsonian Institution’s own
strict guidelines of quality and authenticity. After being displayed
at the Champlin Fighter Museum for 12 years, she was delivered
to her home base and is now on exhibit at NASM.
The museum’s restoration shop was responsible for restoring and
maintaining approximately 30 fighter aircraft from World War I
and World War II, as well as the Korean and Vietnam era. Dave
worked on a multitude of one-of-a-kind exotic aircraft, including
the Aviatik, the German WWI Rumpler Taube, the WWI Pfalz
D.XII, a McDonnell F4 Phantom, a Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat,
a WWII Supermarine Mk IX T Spitfire, a Republic P-47D, the
WWI French S.P.A.D. XIII, a Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3, the Fw
190D-13, to name a few. Eventually, Dave rose to the position of
General Manager of the Champlin Fighter Museum.
Shortly after the restoration of the “George”, Doug Champlin, owner
of the Champlin Fighter Museum, decided he was finished with
restoration projects. Doug held Dave’s keen talent in this arena in high
regard and encouraged him to start his own business. He suggested
that Dave rent the museum’s hangar to use as his shop. Dave agreed
and started GossHawk Unlimited with only one employee.
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Dave Goss, President
3184 N. Rockwell Ave., Casa Grande, AZ 85122
Phone: (520) 423-2622 | Fax: (520) 876-5155
Email: [email protected]
www.gosshawkunlimited.com
Today, the company is renowned for its attention to detail, extensive
expertise, and is a trusted leader in the restoration industry.
Following are a few notable and/or famous aircraft projects
GossHawk Unlimited has been involved with or produced:
• The North American P-51 Mustang “Bardahl II”, located at Falcon
Field in Mesa, Arizona.
• The Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-13/R11, originally owned by Doug Champlin
and put on loan at the Seattle Museum of Flight. Paul Allen, owner of
the Flying Heritage Collection, purchased this aircraft and she is now
on display at his museum in Everett, Washington. This is the only
original long nose Fw 190D-13/R11 in the world.
• The Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-5, now on display at the Flying Heritage
Collection in Everett, Washington. This is the only original and
airworthy Fw 190A-5 in the world.
• The Stinson V-77 Reliant was not restored to be an award winner, but
she ended up winning almost a half dozen awards.
• The Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer, currently maintained at GossHawk
in Casa Grande, Arizona. This is the only flying Privateer in the world.
• The S.P.A.D. XIII, currently at the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport in Terminal
3, in Phoenix, Arizona.
• The Boeing B-17G, formerly owned by Bob Pond, Palm Springs, CA.
The 22,890 square foot GossHawk Unlimited facility features doors
that measure 20-feet tall by 100-feet wide — space originally built
to accommodate a B-17 project. In addition, we have our own
30,000 square foot fenced ramp. Dave keeps his customers very
involved in restoration and maintenance procedures providing
photos, a complete picture of progress, financial reports, phone
calls communicating updates on a regular basis, and availability
through email. GossHawk employees are A&P and IA licensed.
FAA certification allows us to perform a wide array of inspections,
maintenance and repairs. We carry out annual, condition, progressive
and 100-hour inspections. On top of inspections, our full-service
shop performs component repairs, engine maintenance, engine
changes, and structural repairs, both major and minor.
GossHawk is known for its superior restoration skills and intricate
knowledge of warbird aircraft as well as what it takes to keep the
historic planes flying. We have the competence and know-how
to take on partial overhauls as well as full basket case restoration
projects from the ground up. Furthermore, we have access to many
prospective warbird aircraft projects that we would like to bring
to life and are for sale. GossHawk Unlimited is always interested
in taking on the challenge of completing the restoration of vintage
warbirds to museum quality static condition or airworthy status.
WARBIRD DIGEST #58 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
Vintage/Warbird Aircraft Restoration & Maintenance
T-28, P-51, Fw 190, T-6, B-17, L-29, PB4Y-2, Me 262,
Stinson V-77 and a wide variety of other aircraft
44 Years Aviation Mechanic Experience
20 Years with Champlin Fighter Museum
3184 N. Rockwell Ave.
Casa Grande, AZ 85122
Phone: 520-423-2622 | Fax: 520-876-5155
Dave Goss, President
[email protected]
www.gosshawkunlimited.com