By Scot Cox, EAA 1020156

This piece originally ran in the May 2026 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine.

The construction of Rose Parrakeet N444RP began in October 2009 using the Hannaford Aircraft Co. plans as a guideline. This plansbuilt replica was a joint effort between Mike Shade, EAA 144231, and me in the Belle Center, Ohio, shop of Ed Fisher. First flights began in June 2022. Ed Fisher and his son Rodney, EAA 484478, of Gig Harbor, Washington, were in the process of completing their own Parrakeet builds (N8613Y and N394JW) when we began our project. It was a great advantage having access to Ed’s shop, fixtures, patterns, jigs, and experience.

Through Ed, we met the Rose Parrakeet guru Barry Taylor of Blakesburg, Iowa. Barry was always just a phone call away to provide advice, historical knowledge, and inspiration. Another source of build information was Parrakeet N111EJ built by Ed Jankow, EAA 42896. Mike bought EJ prior to beginning our project, and we incorporated a few of Jankow’s ideas into our own.

Mike let me fly “EJ,” and the hook was set to build another one. Without a doubt flying a Parrakeet is a blast, and it is an attractive bird from any angle. More so, I jumped at the chance to work with Mike, a longtime family friend with impeccable taste in music and a well-respected aircraft mechanic. Mike has endured a lifetime of being enamored with little biplanes, and especially the Rose Parrakeet. Mike discovered that Ed Fisher was building a Rose Parrakeet nearby. And Ed had a dream of sharing his shop and experience with someone else wanting to build a Parrakeet. And so it began.

Not too many Wednesday evenings and Saturdays were missed during the 12-plus years it took to build N444RP, but with three Parrakeets (EJ, 3Y, and JW) at our disposal, many work sessions were interrupted with flying from Ed’s farm strip just outside the shop. This included memorable trips flying all three ’Keets out to Blakesburg for the AAA fly-in, and another three-ship flight to Lee Bottom Airport in Hanover, Indiana. Ed’s wife, Edith, was a wonderful cook and wouldn’t let us leave hungry from any visit. Some Wednesday night meals started to net little shop work being completed. More than once Ed jokingly threatened to cut off the pie, or we would never finish, or fit in a Parrakeet. Edith grew up on a ranch near Hot Springs, South Dakota. Ed would laugh and say she never knew a stranger and would take in any stray, referring to Mike and me. She took good care of her “pilots.” Ed and Edith had an adventurous life, so every meal was full of stories, and many times full of friends and family from all over the country stopping in for a visit. One favorite source of stories being Ed’s summer job crewing on a Supermarine Stranraer, a large biplane flying boat, in the Canadian bush. Or, his stint in Bermuda on U.S. Navy flying boats. Edith, being a rancher, had a strong work ethic, so despite all the fun and games, she did help keep us on track, too. This place was truly a Parrakeet pilot’s heaven on earth.

Following in Ed’s footsteps, we incorporated a few of his build ideas, such as a one-piece upper wing and fairing the fuselage beneath the fabric to meet the lower wing roots, thus eliminating gaps, and some external fairings. Others included placement of the compass in the trailing edge of the upper wing, and a sight glass for a fuel gauge in the center of the instrument panel. Mike spent a lot of time getting the look of the cowling, nose bowl, and spinner just right. All while striving to keep things tight and achieving that vintage Parrakeet look. The stock Parrakeet has just two ailerons positioned on the lower wings. We unanimously decided on building ours with four ailerons after flying the four-aileron ships built by Ed and Jankow. We also made improvements over the original design to the aileron control system and hinges. The Continental C85-8 engine provides ample power and was built up by my dad Ron Cox, EAA 580487, of Whitesburg, Georgia. Randolph products were used for the rag and coatings. Colors are Aeronca Orange and Insignia Blue.

Upon completion, N444RP has made it to the Blakesburg AAA fly-in in 2023 and EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024, winning honors at both. Also, it was nice catching a few accolades from Mr. Budd Davisson while there. It was truly an adventure and a pleasure bringing our “old-school” homebuilt to Oshkosh. You can’t fit much camping equipment in a Rose Parrakeet, so many thanks go out to my wife, Annette, my dad, and friend Dave Merriwether for their road crew support on that trip. Flying a ’Keet is so much fun that I’m surprised it’s legal, but I would say the real reward was in the building, and Edith said she got even more out of it than we ever did. She died in 2023, and we miss her.

Attention — Aircraft Builders and Restorers

We would love to share your story with your fellow EAA members in the pages of EAA Sport Aviation magazine, even if it’s a project that’s been completed for a while. Readers consistently rate the “What Our Members are Building/Restoring” section of the magazine as one of their favorites, so don’t miss the chance to show off your handiwork and inspire your peers to start or complete projects of their own. Learn more ->