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Project Warbird · **Posted:** Wed Jul 29, 2009 2:31 pm

Hi everyone,

I wanted to let everyone know of my new project. It's a Beech SNB-5, TC-45J. Built in 1942 as a SNB-2, converted in 1950 to SNB-5. BUNO 12381, last time it flew was in 67. This will be a ground up restoration back to flying. I will keep updating with pics and info.

I have other aircraft parts for sale in the parts forum to help with cash for this project. Check them out.

pilot06 · **Posted:** Wed Jul 29, 2009 3:22 pm

Eric,

Looks like a great start. Always a fan of Twin Beech. Do you have the manuals?

Best of luck,
Patrick

Project Warbird · **Posted:** Wed Jul 29, 2009 3:56 pm

Patrick,

I have some beech 18 manuals but I still have to get the ones for the SNB-5.

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11330

What's your timeline? Flying by the end of the year?????

(I hate that question, so I like to ask it of others!)

Robbie Roberts · **Posted:** Wed Jul 29, 2009 4:22 pm

Lucky So-N-So- Almost ALL the ORIGINAL WWII Radios are in there! Restore them- it is actually easy.

Robbie

retroaviation · **Posted:** Wed Jul 29, 2009 4:25 pm

Neat! Be sure to give us daily, picture postings of the progress. I hear that WIXers seem to like that method of update. ;-)

Congrats on your acquisition.

Gary

K5DH · **Posted:** Wed Jul 29, 2009 4:48 pm

What a coincidence. VFM also has a TC-45J, ex-SNB5, ex-SNB2, awaiting restoration! The BuAer number is 4725, originally built in early 1941. It was a navigation and communication trainer. Our ship was donated some years ago by Tarrant County Community College and has been stored indoors ever since. Some of our staff trained on this airplane while getting their A&P licenses at TCCC! The Beech has never been civilianized in any way, other than receiving a civil paint job while at TCCC. Everything inside is exactly like it was when the plane was surplused in 1968, including the instruments, radios, placards, seats, and so on. We also have the USN service records from 1951 through 1968. The airframe appears to be very solid. The engines were run probably 10 years ago, and although they smoked heavily, they reportedly ran well. I don't know when we'll get around to restoring this one (the B-17 takes up all of our time and money), but it's on the list (after the F-86F).

If you dig around in the Chuckie thread, there is some chatter about our Beech.

Good luck with your Beech!

Cheers!

warbird1 · **Joined:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:25 pm **Posts:** 2760

Excellent project! Great and give us lots of updates as you progress. You will probably want to get a hold of Taigh Ramey, as he is the local Beech 18 expert and he posts here a lot. Here is his website:

http://twinbeech.com/

Project Warbird · **Posted:** Thu Jul 30, 2009 10:57 am

Thanks for your support everyone. I hope to have this project done in 4 to 5 years. It all depends on money and if life lets in the way. I do plan on restoring the plane to WWII stock, radios, paint, seats, everything.
I have the Navy log books dating from 1945, to 1967. From 1942 to 1945 it says they where lost. I'm going to see if the Smithsonian might have them. If anyone has info that would be great. The plane went to Florance Darlington Tech after the Navy in 67 and then sold to a private owner in 2002, and now I got it last month.
I'm getting things set to move it soon. I will let you guys know what is up as often as I can. I don't think it will be daily, but it will be often.
Dean,
I can't wait to see you guys start on your SNB-5. It looks really good. Your lucky that you have all of the plane. Mine is missing the wings, firewall forward, nose baggage door assembly, and rudders.
I want to use Tantalizing Take-off for the nose art for this plane. I have an original leather patch from WWII with that on it. What do you guys think of that. Now don't be to hard on me for the idea. :Hangman:

My Avatar is a picture of my flight jacket with the nose art.

The Inspector · **Posted:** Thu Jul 30, 2009 11:43 am

Looking @ your new project, I wonder how long the interior will remain more or less intact sitting outside in the scrub trees, yahoos will climb shear stone walls to 'play' inside your airplane and try to 'souvenir' it too.

Looking @ the interior shots took me right back to A&P school in the mid 60's as an SNB was the first aircraft engine I ever started. Pretty cool to be able to do that @ 15 while everyone else at your High School was thinking about getting their first car.

I love the nose art, but be advised, in today tight a$$ed attitude environment someone will either take 'GREAT OFENSE" to your nose art and spend a great deal of high volume time berating you for your choices in the midst of a gathering crowd, or word will get around the circuit and you won't be invited or will be asked to leave by show promoters if you drop in because they don't want the Emily Littelas of the world yelling at them.

warbird1 · **Joined:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:25 pm **Posts:** 2760

Eric Miller wrote:

I want to use Tantalizing Take-off for the nose art for this plane. I have an original leather patch from WWII with that on it. What do you guys think of that. Now don't be to hard on me for the idea. :Hangman:

I love that nose art, but as The Inspector said, unfortunately in today's age of Political Correctness, that will not get you very far in airshows, freebies or sponsorship. Many warbird's have had their nose art changed specifically because of this. Right or wrong, accurate or not, that's just today's world we live in. I guess if you're okay with the consequences, then go for it, but if you need money or sponsorship, I would go for something a little more P.C.

Also, there is at least one regular WIX poster here who would be highly offended by that art. There are probably a few more who would be too, but don't admit it.

By the way, is that rendering accurate to what is on your patch? The reason I ask is because I didn't know the thong was around during W.W.II. I always thought it was a post-war invention. Anyone know the history of the thong! HHHHmmmm, I think that needs more research!

I personally love it and hope you be a rebel and put it on your airplane, but you should know the consequences just in case they're unpalatable for you.

retroaviation · **Posted:** Thu Jul 30, 2009 4:19 pm

I'm just curious if you have any War time pictures of your very airplane and what it looked like. Sometimes "plain" is also interesting, as long as it's accurate. Just a thought.

Gary

Project Warbird · **Posted:** Thu Jul 30, 2009 8:27 pm

I have a good feeling you guys are correct. I just had to edit my last post with the picture of the nose art. Photobucket said it was not PC. I want to put the complete nose art on the plane, but I also don't want to offend anyone. I will put only the words on. On the patch she has panties and not a thong. I guess the guy that painted it, put a twist on it. I will change my avatar also, so that I will not offend any wixers.

Robbie Roberts · **Posted:** Thu Jul 30, 2009 9:04 pm

You could always shift the words to hide the butt of the joke

Robbie

mustanglover · **Posted:** Thu Jul 30, 2009 9:07 pm

Ummm.........screw the PC crowd!

That is EXACTLY was is destroying this country as we know it today.

Yah can't spank your kids anymore, the schools can't spank your kids anymore, you can't say certain things, you can't wear certain things.

Up yours...........BAHHHHHH............bite me!

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