Hot Stuff Maintenance Report

IndyJen · **Posted:** Tue Nov 24, 2009 6:24 pm

Hi WIXers,

I reckon this thread will mainly serve as a link to the latest news on the "What's Up With Hot Stuff" thread, which presently is on Page 20, here:

http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.o ... &start=285

We'll keep posting reports on that thread, too.

For the past year, we've documented an engine change and subsequent return to the skies after two years down. This past month, we ran up on a requirement to do a 30-hour inspection. We haven't had to do a 30-hour in a long time, so we were mighty pleased to unbutton her and start groping up in her nether regions ...

... which, now, stop it. You know what I mean.

There's our man Machine Shop Gaylon in the process of combing through the airframe and making a to-do list. Most things that were found were corrected on the spot. A few things yet to do, but we'll be checked off and good to go for flying again after Saturday.

The only other picture we had this time was of yours truly, going through the nacelle of No. 2. The formerly-reliable camera has given up the ghost, apparently. So in the meantime, I can only holler at PJ from time to time to take a picture, willya, and she always hollers back that she's too busy. So, hopefully, we'll have a camera soon, and there can be more pictures of the goings-on.

Our upcoming season will have us with a new engine on No. 2, there,thanks to a grant from the ... I believe it's from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, who made our bird a bona fide Historical Landmark (we have a sign!) last year.

Next season, we're planning for some heavy duty flying, you bet. But winter maintenance season is looming, and god help us, it looks like we'll be outside, reenacting the Aleutians and having flashbacks to Fleet Air Wing Four. We'll have the continuing saga for you, words and pictures right here in these pages.

Till next time,

IndyJen · **Posted:** Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:46 am

Hi again, WIXers,

I keep forgetting that we have this thread over here in the RetroAviation area, so here's an update for you (the regular/most recent maintenance update is here:)

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=25790&start=300

Among other things that have been mentioned in recent weeks, we've talked about our man Machine Shop Gaylon's skills at making specialty tools for us. He's an ingenious fellow, and his stuff is always well done and high quality. So, here's a gallery of tools and other machined items, courtesy of Piercy Machine, for your enjoyment: (Gaylon notes that, should any of these items appear to be something you really need, he will make you one at reasonable prices, with the proceeds donated to Hot Stuff--PM me for details)

First off, it's not a tool at all--it's a belt buckle, the very thing for you Harpoon fans out there. Machined out of a solid billet of brass, sized to the sort of leather belt one wears with jeans. CNC engraved with a silhouette of a PV-2.

One of the most useful specialty tools in Gaylon's catalog, this item is the gear strut extension-preventer. When we jack the plane at the wing jack-point, you have to jack the thing way up to get the tire off the ground, if you let the strut extend all the way. This item keeps the strut from extending more than an inch or so, saving wear and tear on the jack. It slips into existing fittings on the strut and wheel hub, and quickly releases after the wheel is back on the ground.

There's his handy brake retaining ring wrench. The brake stack is held on the hub by a big threaded collar, for which installation and removal is now a snap, with this specialty spanner wrench.

I really thing this setup is the item Gaylon's proudest of: a full set of ergonomic dzus tools, with "baseball" grips. Tips sized to the common size dzus fasteners that are found on our plane. Most are three-inch length to save knuckles. Available singly or as a set, each tool is hardened steel for durability and long life.

Then there's this one--a yard long, made specifically to attack dzuses in a row right by the gear door. Normally very difficult to open or close, those fasteners are a snap with this thing, which our PJ is holding for the camera.

There you are, WIXers!

GARY HILTON · **Posted:** Sun Jan 10, 2010 12:07 am

I love Gaylon's creativity! Sure wish Santa would have had these items under my tree! PM me with a price list please! I know of others that would appreciate a fine tool!
By the way, thanks for taking the time with your maint. updates...they sure are interesting, and well done...even though I'm partial to the Harpoon, I would enjoy reading your entries even if they were on a spam-can...Thanks again!

G

IndyJen · **Posted:** Wed Feb 03, 2010 8:35 pm

Hey WIXers,

Just a note to let you know: tomorrow (Thursday, Feb 3 2010), there'll be a bit on the Warbird Radio featuring yours truly yammering about Hot Stuff, Harpoons, chick mechanics, and who knows what all.

http://www.warbirdradio.com/

Starts at 10:00 a.m. EST. And there's talk of future bits with more of the same!

One can only hope that such notoriety leads to goodwill out there in the world towards Harpoons, organizations that maintain and fly Harpoons, and individuals who belong to organizations that maintain and fly Harpoons. And donations. Scads of lucrative donations, the better to fund Harpoon restorations with.

Or at least goodwill.

Enjoy,

Ztex · **Posted:** Thu Feb 04, 2010 5:35 pm

Hey Jen! Great to hear you on the the radio today!

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