By Bob Shane
Inside the new 13,000-square-foot hangar is one of four Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa “Oscars” currently under restoration.
When Dave Goss decided to move his successful warbird restoration shop, GossHawk, from Falcon Field in Mesa, Ariz., he probably didn’t know just how much work was involved. It took three years from start to finish, but GossHawk is now settled in its new location and ready for business. Not only are the quarters new, but they’re significantly improved. Goss now has 13,000 square feet of hangar space, large enough to accommodate a B-17.
On September 24, Goss had an open house to thank everyone who helped in making it all happen. Nearly 150 people were there including Casa Grande Mayor Chuck Walton, a strong supporter of aviation.
Friends and customers flew in their airplanes to demonstrate their support for Goss. There were T-28s, Mustangs, a T-6 and a pair of Stearmans. The Commemorative Air Force flew a C-45 over for the event. Doug Champlin came down from Nevada to attend. The Champlin/Goss association goes back to the early days of the Champlin Fighter Museum, which is now closed.
Gosshawk is working on several major restoration projects that include four Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa “Oscars.” The Texas Airplane Factory fabricated the airframes and Gosshawk is doing the assembly, systems installation and flight-testing. Another major project in progress is the 100 percent original restoration of the “White One,” a Focke-Wulf FW 190 shot down over Norway during WWII.
Business is so good that Goss is already looking to add two more people to the staff. We wish him all the best in his new location.
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- L to R: Doug Champlin and Dave Goss during the grand opening activities.
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- Three vintage biplanes pass by the GossHawk facility during the flying demonstration.
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- Members of the Casa Grande Fire Department served up the barbecued food.
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- This TF-51 Mustang was one of several warbirds on display during the open house.