Boeing 737-700 (N9992)

N9992, is a one-of-a-kind, 1985 all-metal-wing Steen Skybolt. She was built by Herb Livingston of Baldwinsville, NY in partnership with Clarence See of Whitney Point, NY. Herb was a tin-smith and mechanic who had built a Mustang II and assisted on RVs. Clarence was a test pilot and engineer with the Schweitzer Glider company in Elmira, NY.

Les Schweitzer encouraged Clarence to use the factory's equipment to custom manufacture the wings' spars and hydroformed and heat-treated ribs. According to Clarence, when Les reviewed the engineering diagrams for the metal wings, his comment was, "Well, you'll never break 'em!" While being only 16 lbs. heavier than wood and fabric wings, Clarence computed the strength of these wings to be +/-10Gs. Every single person who has seen these wings has remarked on their craftmanship.

Clarence and Herb originally made two sets of wings, one for each of them. Clarence never finished his Skybolt, however, and ended up selling it 80% complete. As a result, Clarence's set of wings were eventually covered in fabric. Only Herb finished his wings as all metal. (While Lamar Steen did build an all-metal set in the 1970's, Clarence claims their skin has ripples in it. Herb's do not.)

The aircraft is powered by a 210HP Continental IO-360D. The engine was originally the rear engine of a Cessna 337 Skymaster, N5551S. Herb bought the engine after both tail booms were broken in a tornado in Rochester. Penn Yann overhauled the chrome cylinders and Springfield did the crankshaft bushings and counter weights. The engine runs strong, burns 9 gal./hr. and oil consumption is nil.

In addition to all-metal wings, this Skybolt has several unique features:


Due to the wings' strength, there are only two drag wires on a side. Most Skybolts have three.
Herb didn't like the look of the circular trailing edge of the original Skybolt rudder, so his rudder has a straighter trailing edge. Personally, I agree with his aesthetic.
Purely for visual symmetry, the pitot and static are split between two identical tubes on the upper right and left leading edges.
The elevator has two, two-rib-wide anti-servo tabs. They are trimmed with a large veneer knob to the lower left of the pilot's seat. The action is like silk.
The engine has an aerobatic mount of 0°/0°.
There is a 13 gal. wing tank, but it is not currently hooked up.
Because the Skymaster has a 24 volt system, to accommodate the starter, this aircraft is also 24 v.
The Aircraft is now under the care of Michael (Mike) D Robinson son of David B. Robinson at 3J6 Airfield Folston Ga near Jackonville. Plans are underway to install an Lycoming IO-540 which has been sourced with 1600 total hours and is in prep for its first overhaul and then to be installed on Miss 9992