THE OLD SCOTCHMAN · DOCUMENTARY FILE

Aircraft Identity & Provenance

The documentary record supporting the identification of The Old Scotchman as Cessna 172 N8777B, manufacturer serial 36477.

Comparison of certified FAA file copies · Physical-airframe identification supported at very high confidence

Conclusion

The records were certified as true copies of the FAA files as of August 21, 2026. Those certified FAA file copies confirm that N8777B and N5777B are separate aircraft. The FAA certificate for N8777B identifies a Cessna 172, manufacturer serial 36477. The separately certified file for N5777B identifies a Cessna 182, manufacturer serial 33777. The certified files conclusively resolve the federal-record distinction between the two registrations.

The recovered fuselage displays manufacturer serial 36477, which is consistently paired with N8777B throughout the production, registration, and ownership record. That serial-number evidence, together with the acquisition and custody history, supports identification of the recovered airframe as N8777B at very high confidence. A photograph of the separately required fireproof identification plate remains an outstanding physical-documentation item.

FAA RECORD COMPARISON

N8777B and N5777B Are Different Aircraft

The certified FAA file copies allow the two federal aircraft records to be compared across their certification, production, registration, and airworthiness histories.

Identifier	N8777B	N5777B	Significance
FAA Certificate of True Copy	Cessna 172 · serial 36477	Cessna 182 · serial 33777	Separately certified FAA files identify two different aircraft records.
Certification date	August 21, 2026	August 21, 2026	Both file copies were certified as of the same date.
Original aircraft record	FAA data lists 1957 as the year of manufacture. The aircraft was documented as new and initially certificated on November 26, 1957.	Factory sale and registration beginning in October 1956 as a Cessna 182	Independent factory and registration histories from new.
Endurance-flight documentation	June 1958 CAA application expressly states “Endurance Flight”	No relationship to the endurance aircraft; separate Cessna 182 record	Direct official-record corroboration appears in the N8777B file.
Conclusion	Subject aircraft	Unrelated aircraft	The reviewed certified files identify N5777B as a separate Cessna 182, manufacturer serial 33777, and provide no basis for treating it as an alternate registration for N8777B.

CERTIFICATION HISTORY

N8777B’s FAA Airworthiness Timeline

November 26, 1957 — Initial Standard Certification
CAA records identify the new aircraft as Cessna 172 serial 36477, registration N8777B, equipped with a Continental O-300-A engine. An indefinite standard-category airworthiness certificate was issued.
June 27, 1958 — Experimental Authorization for Endurance Flight
White Rock requested an experimental airworthiness certificate specifically for an “Endurance Flight.” The companion inspection report recorded 225 airframe hours and 225 hours on the listed engine. The temporary authorization and operating limitations were written to expire at the end of the endurance flight.
December 18, 1958 — Return to Standard Category
Following the endurance operation, the CAA issued a standard-category certificate for the same Cessna 172, serial 36477, N8777B. The inspection recorded 1,500 total airframe hours and an engine bearing a different recorded serial number, shown at 0:00 total hours.

DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE

Explore the Identity File

The detailed record is collapsed by default so visitors can choose the depth of review.

01Present-Airframe Evidence

Physical markings documented on the airframe and installed engine. The exterior model-and-serial display is strong physical evidence connecting the present fuselage with Cessna 172 manufacturer serial 36477, but it is not the separately required fireproof identification plate. The engine plate is corroborative only.

Close photograph of the present exterior Cessna 172 model and serial marking showing manufacturer serial 36477. — The present exterior model-and-serial display visibly connects the present fuselage with Cessna 172 manufacturer serial 36477.

Strong

Present fuselage model and serial marking

Date: Documented during acquisition · August 2026
Issuer or source: Present airframe; LaunchPoint Aviation photograph
Attribution: LaunchPoint Aviation

Why it matters: This is strong physical evidence connecting the present fuselage with Cessna 172 manufacturer serial 36477, but it is not the separately required fireproof identification plate.

Corroborative

Installed Continental O-300-A engine data plate

Date: August 10, 2026
Issuer or source: Present engine installation; LaunchPoint Aviation photograph
Attribution: LaunchPoint Aviation

Why it matters: The engine family is consistent with the subject aircraft’s record, but an installed engine can be changed and does not independently prove airframe identity.

02Original Cessna Production Records

Original manufacturer records dated November 22, 1957, held in the LaunchPoint evidence file pair registration N8777B with manufacturer serial 36477. Only privacy-safe identity-field crops are displayed.

Identity fields from the November 22, 1957 Cessna Weight and Balance Data showing serial 36477 and N number 8777B. — Privacy-safe identity fields from the original Cessna Weight & Balance Data pair N8777B with manufacturer serial 36477.

Decisive

Original Cessna Weight & Balance identity fields

Date: November 22, 1957
Issuer or source: Cessna Aircraft Company
Attribution: Original Cessna aircraft record; LaunchPoint Aviation evidence file

Why it matters: A production-era manufacturer record independently pairs the registration with the manufacturer serial.

Identity fields from the November 22, 1957 Cessna Equipment List showing serial 36477 and N number 8777B. — Privacy-safe identity fields from the original Cessna Equipment List pair N8777B with manufacturer serial 36477.

Decisive

Original Cessna Equipment List identity fields

Date: November 22, 1957
Issuer or source: Cessna Aircraft Company
Attribution: Original Cessna aircraft record; LaunchPoint Aviation evidence file

Why it matters: A second production-era manufacturer record independently repeats the same registration and serial pairing.

03FAA Registration and Ownership Chain

Certified FAA file copies establish separate federal records for N8777B and N5777B. Privacy-safe crops document the certificate identities and N8777B’s 1958 airworthiness authorizations without exposing owner addresses, signatures, or contact information.

Privacy-safe comparison of official FAA data for N8777B and N5777B, showing different serial numbers, models, engine families, and locations. — Privacy-safe official-data extract comparing N8777B, serial 36477, Cessna 172, with N5777B, serial 33777, Cessna 182.

Decisive

Current official FAA comparison

Date: FAA data dated August 7, 2026
Issuer or source: FAA Releasable Aircraft Database
Attribution: FAA Releasable Aircraft Database; registrant names and addresses omitted

Why it matters: The same FAA dataset identifies the registrations as different models with different manufacturer serials, engine families, and geographic histories.

Open official FAA dataset

FAA Certificate of True Copy identifying N8777B as a Cessna 172, manufacturer serial 36477. — The FAA legal custodian certifies that the attached aircraft file pertains to Cessna 172 serial 36477, registration N8777B, and was certified as a true copy of the FAA file as of August 21, 2026.

Decisive

FAA Certificate of True Copy — N8777B

Date: August 21, 2026
Issuer or source: Federal Aviation Administration; N8777B certified FAA file, PDF page 1
Attribution: N8777B certified FAA aircraft file; privacy-safe crop prepared by LaunchPoint Aviation

Why it matters: The certified FAA file copy conclusively identifies the federal aircraft record for N8777B as Cessna 172 manufacturer serial 36477.

FAA records-request information

FAA Certificate of True Copy identifying N5777B as a Cessna 182, manufacturer serial 33777. — The separately certified FAA file identifies N5777B as a Cessna 182, manufacturer serial 33777.

Decisive

FAA Certificate of True Copy — N5777B

Date: August 21, 2026
Issuer or source: Federal Aviation Administration; N5777B certified FAA file, PDF page 1
Attribution: N5777B certified FAA aircraft file; privacy-safe crop prepared by LaunchPoint Aviation

Why it matters: The separate certified FAA file copy conclusively identifies N5777B as a different federal aircraft record.

FAA records-request information

June 1958 CAA application identifying N8777B, serial 36477, for an Endurance Flight. — The June 27, 1958 CAA application identifies Cessna 172 serial 36477, N8777B, and requests an experimental certificate specifically for an “Endurance Flight.”

Decisive

June 1958 CAA “Endurance Flight” Application

Date: June 27, 1958
Issuer or source: Civil Aeronautics Administration; N8777B certified FAA file, PDF page 109
Attribution: N8777B certified FAA aircraft file; privacy-safe field extracts prepared by LaunchPoint Aviation

Why it matters: The official application directly documents the purpose for which the temporary experimental authorization was requested.

FAA records-request information

CAA inspection report stating that N8777B’s temporary authorization would expire at the end of the endurance flight. — The companion CAA inspection report records 225 hours and provides that the temporary authorization would expire at the end of the endurance flight.

Decisive

End-of-Endurance-Flight Limitation

Date: June 27, 1958
Issuer or source: Civil Aeronautics Administration; N8777B certified FAA file, PDF page 110
Attribution: N8777B certified FAA aircraft file; privacy-safe field extracts prepared by LaunchPoint Aviation

Why it matters: The inspection report directly documents both the pre-operation hours and the temporary authorization’s end-of-flight limitation.

FAA records-request information

December 1958 CAA inspection documenting N8777B’s return to standard-category certification. — The December 18, 1958 inspection returned N8777B to standard-category certification, recorded 1,500 total airframe hours, and listed an engine bearing a different recorded serial number, shown at 0:00 total hours.

Strong

Post-Flight Return to Standard Certification

Date: December 18, 1958
Issuer or source: Civil Aeronautics Administration; N8777B certified FAA file, PDF pages 95–96
Attribution: N8777B certified FAA aircraft file; privacy-safe field extracts prepared by LaunchPoint Aviation

Why it matters: The post-operation documents continue the N8777B and serial 36477 identity and record the return to standard category after the temporary endurance authorization.

FAA records-request information

Privacy-safe identity fields from the June 11, 1963 FAA bill of sale showing Cessna 172, serial 36477, and N8777B. — The identity fields pair Cessna 172, manufacturer serial 36477, with registration N8777B.

Strong

June 1963 FAA bill-of-sale identity fields

Date: June 11, 1963
Issuer or source: Federal Aviation Agency bill of sale
Attribution: Historical FAA aircraft record; privacy-safe identity-field crop

Why it matters: The conveyance record continues the serial-linked identity chain in 1963.

Learn how to obtain FAA aircraft records

Privacy-safe identity fields from a March 29, 1983 FAA registration certificate showing N8777B, Cessna 172, and serial 36477. — The registration identity fields continue the N8777B, Cessna 172, serial 36477 pairing.

Strong

March 1983 FAA registration identity fields

Date: March 29, 1983
Issuer or source: Federal Aviation Administration registration certificate
Attribution: Historical FAA registration certificate; privacy-safe identity-field crop

Why it matters: The historical certificate preserves the same registration, model, and manufacturer serial.

FAA records-request information

Privacy-safe identity fields from a December 5, 1991 FAA registration certificate showing N8777B, Cessna 172, and serial 36477. — The registration identity fields continue the N8777B, Cessna 172, serial 36477 pairing in the Fordland registration history.

Strong

December 1991 FAA registration identity fields

Date: December 5, 1991
Issuer or source: Federal Aviation Administration registration certificate
Attribution: Historical FAA registration certificate; privacy-safe identity-field crop

Why it matters: The historical certificate preserves the same registration, model, manufacturer serial, and location chain.

FAA records-request information

04Historical Endurance-Flight Connection

The June 7, 1963 Vest Aircraft item is a private historical sales listing preserved in the LaunchPoint evidence file. It is presently the strongest documentary bridge connecting N8777B and serial 36477 with the endurance-record aircraft, but it is historical provenance evidence—not an independent FAA finding. The 1958 television film and script are corroborative and are not treated as independent proof of the serial number or full registration.

June 7, 1963 Vest Aircraft listing pairing N-8777B with serial 36477 and describing the aircraft’s endurance-record history. — The listing pairs N-8777B with serial 36477 and describes the airplane as the aircraft that set the world air-endurance record.

Strong

June 1963 Vest Aircraft listing

Date: June 7, 1963
Issuer or source: Vest Aircraft and Finance Co. listing
Attribution: Historical aircraft listing preserved with the aircraft records

Why it matters: This is the strongest presently available documentary bridge connecting N8777B and serial 36477 with the endurance-record airplane.

05The Weathered Tail Marking

The deteriorated paint is documented because it explains the visual ambiguity. It is not treated as the controlling identifier.

Close view of the weathered N8777B registration marking on the rear fuselage before professional cleaning. — The weathered rear-fuselage registration marking before cleaning; pigment loss can make the first numeral appear ambiguous.

Corroborative

Weathered registration marking before cleaning

Date: As acquired · August 2026
Issuer or source: Present airframe; LaunchPoint Aviation photograph
Attribution: LaunchPoint Aviation

Why it matters: The photograph documents the visual ambiguity and explains why identity must be resolved through the manufacturer serial and serial-linked records.

Close view of the weathered N8777B registration marking after initial professional cleaning, with original paint loss still visible. — The rear-fuselage registration marking after initial professional cleaning; original paint loss and ambiguity remain visible.

Corroborative

Weathered registration marking after cleaning

Date: August 10, 2026
Issuer or source: Present airframe; RealClean comparison photograph
Attribution: Photograph courtesy of RealClean Aircraft Detailing – Missouri. Used with permission.

Why it matters: Cleaning reduced surface contamination but did not make the deteriorated paint an identity-determinative source.

06Method, Limitations, and Continuing Verification

The conclusion weighs serial-linked primary records most heavily, distinguishes corroboration from proof, and records unresolved or pending items without filling documentary gaps by inference.

Paint condition is treated as a visual clue, not a substitute for the manufacturer serial number or serial-linked records. Engine information is used only as corroboration because an installed engine can be replaced.

Certified FAA aircraft files for N8777B and N5777B have now been obtained and reviewed. They establish that the FAA maintains separate records for a Cessna 172, manufacturer serial 36477, registered as N8777B, and a Cessna 182, manufacturer serial 33777, registered as N5777B.

FAA certification establishes the authenticity of the file copies; it does not constitute FAA certification, approval, or endorsement of LaunchPoint’s analysis or conclusions. The certification establishes that the certified FAA file copies are true copies of the records maintained in the respective FAA aircraft files. It does not convert every statement contained in a privately submitted bill of sale, mortgage, application, or other filing into an independent government finding.

The certified files do not independently establish the present airworthiness of the recovered aircraft, the identity or condition of every component presently installed, the precise duration or record result of the 1958 flight, the aircraft’s present weight-and-balance status, whether LaunchPoint is presently shown as the aircraft’s registered owner, or present title. FAA registration is not itself a determination of legal title. A photograph of the separately required fireproof identification plate remains pending.

07Sources and Official Records

Authoritative record services, governing identification regulations, and historical reference materials used to locate and evaluate evidence.

FAA Releasable Aircraft Database (opens in a new tab)
FAA Aircraft Records Request Portal (opens in a new tab)
FAA Aircraft Records Information (opens in a new tab)
14 C.F.R. § 45.11 — Marking of products (opens in a new tab)
14 C.F.R. § 45.13 — Identification data (opens in a new tab)
14 C.F.R. § 45.21 — Registration-number display (opens in a new tab)
UNT archival film (opens in a new tab)
Historical film link only. No film frame is reproduced on this page pending confirmation of the appropriate reuse and credit treatment.
UNT archival script (opens in a new tab)
AOPA — Endurance Test, Circa 1958 (opens in a new tab)

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