Warbird Information Exchange

Thanks for the info. Gives a place to start. I did look at the great shots on the Sander's website where they are converting a Sea Fury to an R-2800 CB3 or 16. I am not sure the mounts differ all that much, but the thing we really need to find out is whether the rubber donuts are all the same and to get the part numbers so we can search for a vendor.

We were indeed honored today by a visit of three Tuskegee Airmen. They graciously signed three blades from one of our B25 propellers. Wow, what a treasure! We will be very proud of these. As we have gone out to various airshows and tours, we have run into a great many vets who have signed our bomb bay doors or one of the bombs that we carry. Dick Cole, who was Doolittle's copilot signed one of these. It is just simply awesome when we meet these great fellows that made history instead of just talking about it. So many thanks to Dr. McDaniel, Capt. Platt (pictured here) and Lt Col. Spann for winning in so many ways that have changed us all for the better. Thanks! JR

The real JR went back and forth today helping to hang the replacement engine on the DC3 and working on the rudder gap seal. It is one of the things we need ready when the piece we had to get made comes back for the vertical stab. Then we can hang the rudder and get started on the horizontals. The tail cone is about ready as is the sheet metal repairs to the side and top of the tail below the rudder posted earlier. So about half of our team had to work on the 3 while the rest banged on the 26. We took time out for Hawkeye to grill some great burgers and chow down. Some progress was made on both airplanes today!! It's good to see things going back together. The other JR

Arnold, Tim, Rand and Miguel pounded on the pesky oil cooler actuator doors on both sides to finish them off in auto and manual modes today. Thanks to Sean at Military Parts Exchange, we found a serviceable thermostat unit and bolted it in today. Of course, we found some hoses and other plumbing that need to be replaced in that process. It again proves that when you open a can, it may have a bunch more worms than expected!! JR

Joe and David were among the bunch who worked on the replacement engine for the DC3 and put a new elevator on the left side. I just like the flags flying in the top of the hangar. Isn't the flag of the Lone Star Republic pretty? Now for you sharp eyed folks, which way is the flag facing? To the left or the right? Notice anything about the US Flag? JR

Dave, Ethan and Miguel got the end of the nacelle cleaned out and primed on the inside yesterday and today. Then they placed it back on ready to go. Now if only that last piece would come back from plating to finish the landing gear, the wheel well would be almost done. Could let her down on her own feet again. Oh joy!! JR

Hanging a replacement engine should be a piece of cake, right? Not so with this beast. It was set up for the right side so had to be changed to the left side configuration. Naturally, nothing goes as planned. See next picture for solution. JR

Do these things need explanation? Well, on second thought, sometimes, one needs a bigger hammer or a rubber by-gawd to make things go together. The team has learned that a stern talking to doesn't give satisfying results when it comes to obtaining cooperation from a balky replacement engine. JR

This is a shot taken through the aft compartment door at the electronic equipment that was installed back there. It is one of the areas we will tackle next week to clean up the equipment and re-install them. Some of the instruments were for the camera operator's navigation or to run the cameras that could be installed in the bomb bay. At the last, when the airplane was used exclusively for pilot training, most of the actual camera controls were removed and covers put over the resulting blank spaces on the left hand console. We do not intend to fill those at the present time, but perhaps later if we find some of the equipment. JR

Last but not least department... what happens when you hear an unexpected click like oh say from a camera and you drop your screwdriver deep down inside the tail. That's all I am going to say about that!! JR

Glad to see you have a "proper" U.S. Flag flying. I had a very large one hanging in my hangar and only one person in 20 years ever noticed it! (The difference that is)

Well, OBwon, it would appear that you are the only one who noticed. Have not gotten any comments on the Flag of the Republic or the US Flag besides yours. Make me wonder if people don't know or don't care enough to answer??? Whazzzup? JR

It's the 50 star flag flying in a WWII context that always catches my eye as very wrong.

OTOH, I had a history teacher in middle school who had a 49 star flag at the back of his class as a test of observation.

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Lest Hero-worship raise it's head and cloud our vision, remember that World War II was fought and won by the same sort of twenty-something punks we wouldn't let our daughters date.

I have to agree with both your statement and your quote about 20 something yr old punks we wouldn't let date our daughters who go out and win our wars!! As a dad with 3 daughters, there is a ring of truth in that!! But then one of my daughters went to the AF Academy and paid her dues. Another was married to the AF so she did her part as well. The 3rd went to U of Tx and was the blacksheep of the family to her Aggie dad, but she has seen the error of her ways now that she has her own daughter to raise.
On another note, today is the last day to make comments on the FAA proposal to change or eliminate the historic ride programs in warbirds. There are not all that many comments being sent in so I have to wonder about our community here. Are there just wannabees and talkers here or are there people who will help us take a stand for the continuation of the ride program? After all, if we are serious about preserving and flying these airplanes, there has to be a way of funding them. Somebody has to write the check. Otherwise, we might as well scrap them as was started after WWII. Special K will not be able to give rides without the Exemption. Help us out please! http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComm ... -0374-0001

I have always wondered about a 49 star flag. Was one ever designed? After all Hawaii and Alaska didn't come in the same day did they?
Also has anyone beside our CIC saluted or concieved of the 57 star flag?