Warbird Information Exchange

In another thread, there was a request for some current photos of the Lackland AFB P-82.

Although there aren't that many photos here, I spent quite a bit of time this evening looking as close as I could without actually climbing up on it.

My assessment is that it actually looks to be in pretty decent condition, all things considered. It's obviously in a cocoon of numerous layers of paint, but I could only find a single area of obvious corrosion (see photo below). Obviously, there's a lot more in there -- there has to be -- but I have certainly seen static displays and gate guards that look a lot worse than this.







Here's a bubble of corrosion on the left side of the righthand fuselage. For some perspective, it is about the size of a credit card.

That's good to see. All I can say is that I hope that they treat it with the respect it deserves and never let a crew go at it with electric sanders like this:

(Same AFB just under two years ago...)

Ryan

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Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
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The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

That thing looks to be in awesome shape! If the USAF still has that one in their possession, why'd they have to be such schmucks about the CAF P-82?

Randy, how long did it take you to find that corrosion? Thanks for the effort "above & beyond the call."

That's the typical way I've seen most AFB static displays be repainted. They just don't have the time/manpower/money to have it media blasted prior to re-paint.

Not long, just a couple of minutes...but I looked all over the place, and that is literally the only visible corrosion that I could find. I laid down on my back and looked at the belly and didn't see anything there, where I expected to see some.

Sadly whatever the amount of corrosion and I would imagine there to be plenty, this beautiful airplane’s fate is sealed.

Dan

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yah, but at least it is well sealed!!!

that is until the AF bids out her repainting to the lowest bidder and they pick up a crew from a Home Depot parking lot and hand them electric sanders a nail file and a can of Krylon!

EEEEEKKK

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S.

I agree that this is not the best way to do the job, but I have seen much worse done to flying warbirds with all due respect.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

I have the AF museum do alot worse, for alot longer. I would like to know what you think you have seen done worse to a fly Warbird ?

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Matt Gunsch, A&P, IA, Warbird maint and restorations
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I have seen many risks taken in order to go flying over safety that far exceed a method of sanding the wing on a static aircraft.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

They didn't want something that they own sold.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager