Warbird Information Exchange

We had our youngest member leave us temporarily today. Ethan and his Grandpa Dave have been right there with us for quite awhile now. Ethan's parents are moving to the Houston area so he will be going with them soon. Dave says Ethan will continue to pursue his love of airplanes. One of our guys, Arnold, took Ethan up for his first flying lesson last week in a C-172. Ethan has been attending ground school and has the huge hankerin' to fly Special K when he grows up. We think that is an excellent idea. The whole point of saving this airplane is make it fly into the future along with the history it will take with it in regards to the service and sacrifice of our VN vets. We wish Ethan well and a big hurry up and come back to see us soon. JR

Ethan was presented a logbook signed by his instructor for his first flying lesson along with the well wishes and autographs of the other team members by the real JR today. He has been a valued member of the team so we hope that he keeps this logbook as a treasured possession and brings it back to us one of these days when he has filled it up to the point he can fly Kay. JR

Speaking of the team, Hawkeye fixed us an old fashioned lunch today of boloney sands. We figured out that in the hotter days of the summer, this is just about right for a light lunch and can get back to work quicker. Today was cool by August standards with the cold front coming thru and the rain. It is almost like a mid Sept weather pattern rather than August. Sure need the rain and the relief from the 105's we have been having in July. In other news, part of our team was at Denver's Centennial Airport giving rides in the DC3. They flew over 150 passengers today. They will be moving to Colorado Springs in the morning for the next stop of the tour. If you live in that area, drop by to have a look at the "Southern Cross" in all her best D-Day makeup and perhaps sign up for a ride. This will help support our other projects such as the B25 and the A26.

Amy put the finishing touches on the aft bomb bay door hydraulic actuator installation today. She has rebuilt the front actuator as well, but there is some sheet metal work that needs to be done before this is installed. Again, good that things are going back on the airplane instead of coming off!!! Yay!! JR

Speaking of the completed installation!! JR

Arnold and Steven are conferencing at the table about some hardware we need while Big Mike, Denis and Bryan are trying not to wake up the floor manager, Inu.

Denis has been refurbing the external bomb racks that go on the wings. This data tag is from one of the eight racks that we have and are still operational. We would like to find some external fuel tanks for the two inboard pylons. The originals were 230 gal sized, but we would consider anything between 100 and 230 gal if anybody has any??? Please PM me if possible or leave a note here and I will contact you. Thanks, JR

Ah, a nice quiet Sunday morning with the airplane all to myself or so I thought. I heard a strange squeaky laugh echo from the rafters. Reminded me of a scene from the latest Zombie movie......

As I looked around, I saw this ghostly apparition sitting at a workbench sorting rivets and screws... or so I thought. When I approached to get this picture, it must have heard me and scurried away so fast that I couldn't keep it focused in the lens. I think I am going to have call Ghostbusters. Anybody got that number?? Scared in Texas, JR

Notice anything different about Kay? JR

What a milestone today was with the installation of the overhauled rudder! It took nearly all of the team to lift it into position very gingerly and guide the torque tube into the access hole without messing up all of the newly finished sheet metal work below it. This was a 6 hr job to get it all done! Many thanks and greatest appreciation to JR and the team for getting this accomplished. The other JR, the pilot!

As the torque tube was slid into the hole, Arnold called for a little bit of tilt to the starboard side so it would miss the hinges on the back of the vertical stab. Once in, the team eased the rudder over so the hinges would slide in to their respective slots. The real JR is looking back toward the tool chasers to get some boards to lift the rudder a smidge so the slots can be mated. JR the pilot.

Guess who slept thru all of this high drama! Yes, Inu, our floor manager, nodded off. I am glad he could cause the rest of us were turning blue from holding our breath with everybody working up so high on the rudder. Actually, he got in just a little bit of trouble with Arnold when he went AWOL to go play with a neighbor dog. Had to go track him down. He was put on a short leash for awhile. Happens to the best of us, but heck, he met a new girl so I totally understand his situation! JR

Here is what we mean with "high drama"... Too Tall Tim is even having trouble reaching the top rudder hinge. Was turning blue while he did this. Would have made even a movie stunt man think about it for a bit. Sheeeesh, but we got it done without any injuries or damage to the rudder. Sure glad we don't have to do this again! JR

Meanwhile, this view is looking inside at the control cables that will have to be hooked up to the rudder and in a few weeks to the elevators. Love it when a plan comes together. So far we are 80 per cent done with the airplane with only 80 per cent left to do!! Yay!! JR