Restoration of pedal-toy ‘Pursuit’ is labor of love for Kentfield

By Rhonda Westfall

Its silver fuselage sparkles in the sunlight, accentuating the bright blue US Army insignias that were standard issue on the "Pursuit" back in 1945.

There’s no doubt about it – Terry Kentfield is as proud to pose by the "pedal-toy airplane" today as he was 60 years ago.

Maybe even more so.

"Actually, it probably looks as good right now as when my dad brought it home from Heathman’s store for my birthday," the St. Johns resident says of the gift that was a surprise present for his third birthday. "You wouldn’t believe what it looked like four months ago before we started work on restoring it – it was pretty beat up."

The antique toy that sparkles in the sunshine had sat for a number of years in the basement of Terry and Linda’s house on Traver Street – Terry’s childhood home with his parents, Ray Jr. and Dorothy Kentfield.

"It was pretty damp down there, so it was all rusted – plus, it had taken its share of abuse over the years from all the kids in the neighborhood when we were growing up," Terry says of the vintage pedal-toy that was first manufactured by the Steelcraft Company in 1941. "Probably one of the reasons it has held up so well is the quality of the original product – not like what you would get today."

The refurbished "Pursuit" is as close to the original as Terry could make it. He worked with a trio of local professionals in the restoration process and secured several of the original parts from a collector in the Lansing area.

"It’s about 99 percent original – I had to replace the tire rims with something that was not authentic, but about everything else is exactly like it was when my dad brought it home from Heathman’s."

Kerry Bunge did much of the bodywork on the pedal-toy airplane. Jim Larsen lent a helping hand with the "labor of love," while Gary Floate hand-painted the US-Army insignia and Pursuit logo.

"These aren’t stick-on decals, they’re hand-painted – Gary did a fantastic job on the insignias," Terry says.

The end result is well worth the time – and money – involved in the restoration process. Although he has no interest in selling the classic toy, the Lansing area dealer who helped provide some of the original parts certainly tried hard to add it to his collection.

"He had one restored with a price tag of $5,500," Terry says in amazement. "These are just really prized by collectors, particularly this airplane style and the fact it was made during World War II. There aren’t many like it around anymore."

While his own daughters, Kimberly Hendricks, Kelly Ballheim and Kristie Woodhams, had fun with the Pursuit when they were young, the next generation of Kentfields is pretty much confined to "just sitting" in the aviator’s seat.

"This is definitely a keepsake, now – not for taking the abuse that it did when I was a kid," Terry says with a laugh.

Terry and Linda’s grandchildren, Connor and Paige Hendricks and Jami Woodhams, did enjoy having their pictures taken in the refurbished plane, however – and, just maybe, they can convince grandpa to let them take it for a little spin sometime.

"It is really neat when you pedal it and the propeller goes around," Terry says, obviously remembering childhood fun with his Pursuit.

An adult with a bit of a three-year-old still lurking inside.

What fun.