San Marcos TX, CAF visit (pics)

[Holedigger]

Managed to drop by the CAF hangar/museum in San Marcos over the holiday on a whirlwind tour. Dropped some prints for Bluehawk15 who gave me (and family) a great tour. Thanks again Mike. Saw the birds, took some pics, got back on the road for the long drive back to Florida. Poor Yellow Rose looked a bit sad with an engine and wing removed, but work must be done! It will be good to get her back in the air again.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Chris

[Chris]

Whats up with the major maintenance on Yellow Rose?

[Holedigger]

Something about an engine "going away"! Having to rebuild the oil coolers to remove metal shrapnel, those were then damaged in shipping...Bluehawk15 could give you a better rundown of the specifics. She will be down for a while.

[retroaviation]

Some corrosion issues are being addressed on the left outer wing panel. They're making great progress and the Rose will be back in the air soon.

Gary

[Chris]

Good to hear they're making progress.

[bluehawk15]

Gary could probably explain the problem better than I can, but there was some corrosion found on a few small parts that required replacement. I think it was the same problem as other aircraft have had, like the B-29.

The way Gary explained it to me, when he was working on Fifi, is the planes made toward the end of WWII had metal problems because we were running short of metals like nickel and copper to make the aluminum alloy properly. That caused corrosion to develop years later. Of course they hadn't planned on these planes flying as long as they have. Did I remember correctly, Gary?

The left engine is off, again, for overhaul. A few months back, the right one was overhauled and replaced. Both of the old engines had over 1000 hours on them, which is REAL good. The "new" right engine came online perfectly. The left one lasted a take-off and landing. I mean they took off, entered downwind, and landed. About a two minute flight. So, it's back at the shop and should be back at the hangar in January. Our Maintenance Officer says we should be back in the air by March. I'm crossing my fingers and booking shows for then!

[retroaviation]

Gary could probably explain the problem better than I can, but there was some corrosion found on a few small parts that required replacement. I think it was the same problem as other aircraft have had, like the B-29.

The way Gary explained it to me, when he was working on Fifi, is the planes made toward the end of WWII had metal problems because we were running short of metals like nickel and copper to make the aluminum alloy properly. That caused corrosion to develop years later. Of course they hadn't planned on these planes flying as long as they have. Did I remember correctly, Gary?

Yup, that's more or less correct. There's a little more to it than that, but the newer airplanes seem to have a trend of having more corrosion than the older ones.......For example, the CAF's B-24 has nowhere near the corrosion issues that the B-29 has. Most of that is due to the metalurgy (sp?) in the structural pieces. That's not to say there aren't other contributing factors, but that at least seems to be the primary factor.

Gary

[bluehawk15]

Thanks, Gary, I'm glad to know my memory hasn't started fooling me...yet!

Thanks also to Chris for posting the photos! It was a great pleasure meeting him and his family. Super nice folks, just wish they could have visited a little longer.

[Holedigger]

Wish we had more time, it was from there to Austin for dinner and then through the night drive to Florida! It was a Looooooong day.

It is interesting to look back and question why they built things the way they did, but under the lens of "it only needs to last a few months" it is more understandable. Got to see the FW 190 they pulled up in Norway, and they were trying to figure out how preserve here. Steel rivets and aluminum skin don't work well together in the long run!

Here are a few more pics.

Down for Yearly

Yellow Rose Front Office

inside of the repaired Port wing off Yellow Rose CLEAN!

and now for something faster

[Mike]

Is that the T-33 that languished here in NorCal until the Wing returned it recently?

[retroaviation]

Is that the T-33 that languished here in NorCal until the Wing returned it recently?

No. The T-33 pictured belongs to an individual (who's name escapes me at the moment ). The CAF's T-33 is here in the hangar in Midland.

Gary

[Steve Nelson]

Interesting..I thought that particular "Kate" was the one now in the Tango Squadron Museum in Thailand. Apparently the Thai Kate just has similar markings.

SN

[Lynn Allen]

Some corrosion issues are being addressed on the left outer wing panel. They're making great progress and the Rose will be back in the air soon.

Gary

Wow, with all that ACF50 we put in there and to find some corrosion. We were always worried that we would find some on the spar above the main gas tanks. I replaced the oil bypass valve on the left side, what fun. I almost ran out of words to use putting it. Glad to see that she is in good hands...

Lynn

[skymstr02]

ACF-50, and other anti-corrosion compounds do not have any effect on intergranular corrosion.
Intergranular is inherent with the metalurgy and the heat treat process, so keeping moisture away will not prevent this occurance.

[Fouga23]

SO tempting with the key just hanging there