Hi, I'm Jim McKinney, welcome to my Vagabond page. Contained are some pictures and information about Piper Vagabonds that I own and have collected. I have been restoring a 1948 PA-17 for …oh, too long now. I recently drove out to see Mr. Richard Cooper (and his lovely wife Joan) to pick a up nose bowl and gas tank for my PA-17 project and drop off a cont A-65 engine for my Dad's J-3. Richard told me he had another Vag, and we made a short trip to a little grass field near Leavenworth KS. When the 40 year old hangar door opened, even under the dust and spider webs, sat one of those planes that make your eye brows raise up and your head fall forward a bit. Truly one of those, "I'm not seeing this moments" for me at least. The moment I saw the original 1966 EAA sticker, the year I was born, I hoped I could provide a new home for N4172H…

N4172H's previous owner Richard Cooper is an authority on Vagabonds in general and fabric restoration as this plane shows. "Yellow Bird" has about 850hrs total time and was re-covered with dope and fabric using a brush and hand sanding! The plane is simply stunning, and has been flying all its life. I will be posting information about the covering process used on N4172H and techniques and information as I have time. N4172H's new home is in Redlands California. I welcome anyone interested in seeing a unique part of Piper aircraft history to contact me and stop by and see it.

This is Richard Cooper, he once told me "Vagabonds are planes you wear, not just fly."

This is my dear old Dad Fran McKinney, he smiles a lot when he fly's this plane! He is the reason I'm learning about, flying, and re-building Vagabonds today, thanks Dad.

N4172H at its grass field home of 40 years in Leavenworth KS