skymstr02 wrote:
Flying Pencil wrote:
Salt is only corrosive when wet.
The faster they can dry out everything, the better.
Then when ready wash it off in tanks and hoses.
Have you ever been in Galveston? The salt is always wet. I worked at the Musem for 6 years. I lived a block from the beach and ten blocks from the Museum. The LSFM is between two large bodies of water, less than one mile one way, and less than two miles the other way, and the wind blows salt water spray from either way. The humidity seldom goes below 60% at any time. A polished unprotected propeller blade will have corrosion appear overnight, when left outside.
If it doesn't rain after a month, the salt builts up on electrical transformers, they short out and catch the power poles on fire. The electric company has tanker trucks with pumps and nozzles to drive around and wash the transformers with fresh water every couple of weeks if it doesn't rain.
The walls and roof have been compromised at the hangar, and I can assure you that the corrosion process has begun already.
Good point and you are right, the conditions for corrosion are ripe even if they where not wet. If they where cautions, then the airframes where treated withe Corrosion X or ACF-50, and that will significantly reduce the corrosion issue, but cannot stop it all.
But for sure, the sooner they can wash down the frames and take it somewhere dry the better, and it will be a huge challenge.
GL LSFM!
BTW, anyone think of calling Kermit for his advice on post-hurricane rebuild?
If LSFM is rebuilt in Galveston, you will have the same threat again, and insurance will not replace one of a kind historical artifacts (not to mention insurance policy costs). The USAF may want to take its B-58 back.
Effectively and practically, Galveston can no longer host an air museum.
BUT
Galveston can host air shows and fly-ins!
As to they comment of only flyable aircraft in Galveston:
What if the aircraft is down for maintenance? It might as well be a static model. It is not worth the risk.
I am not being negative, just practical. It is risky to have a museum only 3 feet above sea level.
S!