Around the Hangar at Warbird Heritage Foundation

[Sabremech]

I thought I would start a new thread with the ongoing maint on our aircraft throughout the year. We have a lot going on and I'd like to share some of it if the WIX community would like to see it. I'll maintain the A-4 thread for now until we get her airborne, then I think I'll update this one thread if you guys like the idea.

We did the annual inspection on the Stearman a few weeks ago and found a few things we didn't like inside the left lower wing. We removed the wing and uncovered it to have a closer look. It's now out at a shop near us getting repaired and then recovered.



We also have a new smoke oil tank being made for the Sabre so we can have it available for the Airshow season when we get our engine back. Here's a couple of pictures of fitting the tank before baffle installation. We'll fit it one more time when the mounting tabs are in place and before final welding




The next few pictures are of the inspection on the T2 Buckeye which we are close to finishing. We found some play in the left horizontal stab that we didn't like, so we are in the process of replacing the bushings.







David
WHF Maint
www.warbirdheritagefoundation.org

[Rod Schneider]

Great idea! I really enjoy your maintenance threads!!

[CAPFlyer]

We did the annual inspection on the Stearman a few weeks ago and found a few things we didn't like inside the left lower wing. We removed the wing and uncovered it to have a closer look. It's now out at a shop near us getting repaired and then recovered.

Lemme guess, previous ground loop damage?

[Sabremech]

Nope, not previous ground loop damage. This is a relatively young restoration (1994) and we don't really know why we have the problem we have. I was debating as to posting these pictures, as I figured we'd get the ground loop senario.
David
WHF Maint
www.warbirdheritagefoundation.org

[bdk]

What is the nature of the damage, termites?

[Sabremech]

We have a crack that we are concerned about and have no real reason for it.
David
WHF Maint
www.warbirdheritagefoundation.org

[CAPFlyer]

Hey the plane is well known for being loop prone, so it's a totally plausible scenario on the lower wing to have damage that wasn't fully or properly repaired over the years. Being a young restoration, the only thing I can think of is just "source flaw" of the material that went undetected unless it got unintentionally overstressed at some point since restoration.

[Sabremech]

We're thinking a flaw in the wood as well. There was no physical evidence to suspect a ground loop. That being said, could the wing tip have touched the ground at some point during a landing? Quite possible, but nothing to suggest that happened.
David
WHF Maint
www.warbirdheritagefoundation.org

[warbirdcrew]

Sure doesn't look like alot that holds that horizontal stab onto the T-2.

[CAPFlyer]

More points than on the DC-10.

[Sabremech]

We finished the inspection on the T2 and the post maint flight went well. One squawk out of all the maint we did! We've now moved on to the T-6 as its inspection came due at the end of April. Here's a couple of photos of it being depaneled for inspection.



The hangar is starting to fill back up from the maint season. The T-6 will be back at the end of next week and hopefully the L-39 as well. The weather was pretty good for a change and we got the Birddog out for some flying.




David
WHF Maint
www.warbirdheritagefoundation.org