What the heck is a "Stratolina?"
Fri Jul 24, 2009 3:46 pm
Well, this thread is sort of an off-shoot of the "How Crazy Are You" thread started by A2C a week or so ago. Sometimes, when you have acres of parts that you can't seem to sell, and you're bored, you come up with crazy ideas like this.......
So, here is my latest project. It's a mix between a C-97 Stratofreighter and a PBY Catalina. I call it the Stratolina. (I apologize for the incredibly poor quality of the pictures...these stinkin' iphones have the sorriest cameras on the planet, and my "real" camera is broken).........
I started on this project about five days ago I reckon, when I was walking around Austin Acres, trying to figure out something creative to do with some of these parts I've got laying around here that nobody seems to want (to purchase). So, after a lap or two around the property, I came up with the idea to make a little "composite" airplane out of several different components.
I cleared out a bunch of freakin' mesquite trees, cactus, and other worthless plant life, from an area directly in front of my house. I then moved the C-97 cockpit over to it's new home........
The cockpit will be a great place for Janet's kids, grandkids, and ME to make airplane noises in, while pretending to be a hot-shot pilot-type. Of course, any girls that play in there can just practice to be stewardesses, since women aren't allowed to actually fly, are they?
After the cockpit was in place, I brought the PBY Catalina wing center section over and laid it down behind the cockpit.......
After that, I brought the two outer wing panels for the PBY over and laid them next to the center section........
Followed by the outrigger float assemblies......
The next step was to attach the outer wing panels to the center section. This was easier said than done, as the wing attach angles are quite rotten with corrosion and the knuckleheads at the Rio Grande Valley Wing of the CAF cut the "good" attach points off, rather than just taking the bolts out when they disassembled the wing many years ago.
But I was able to get enough bolts in place to hold everything together for now. I'll have to build some spar straps or something and attach them at a later date........
After that, I picked the entire wing assembly up and drove it into place behind the cockpit section.......
While the forklift was holding the wing up, I manhandled the floats into position and got them bolted up. (THAT was a major chore by myself!!!).....
After getting the wing struts installed (yet another booger-bear of a job for a fat-boy to do), the wing was holding itself up. What I didn't realize until later, is that because of where I placed this project, it's the first thing you see when turning onto my street. I can only imagine what the neighbors think when they see a Stratolina looking at them head-on. .......
The next day, a strange thing happened......it rained here in Midland! So, about mid-day, while sitting here at the computer, checking out WIX, I heard what sounded like a Howitzer going off!!! I'm not sure who jumped more, me or my worthless dogs. 
Anyway, I ran outside to see what happened, and immediately noticed that the Stratolina experienced a slight structural failure!
What happened was that during the rain, the sandy soil that was holding the wing up the previous day, gave way under the wing struts. So the center section of the wing started sinking, while the floats were holding the wing tips up. Well, the rotten, corroded attach angles (with only a few bolts installed at the time) couldn't take the pressure, and WHAMMO!
So, I rushed out, in the rain, with the trusty ol' forklift and was able to pick the wing and center section back up, taking the pressure off of everything. After some prying and hammering, I managed to get a few more bolts installed so that the wing could support itself once again. Unfortunately, the lightning started getting quite close, so I bailed out and went back inside.
Later that day, the wing sunk a little more and broke a few more places on the attach angles, but this time the rain & lightning had stopped, so I was able to get more than enough bolts installed. Thankfully, I've not had anymore issues with this...so far.
Okay, so the next item to bring over into the mix was the cargo section of the C-97. I wanted the cargo door (which still works, by the way) over on the left side of the airplane, so I had to turn this section around backwards for installation. Whoever cut this thing apart a long time ago, didn't really do a clean job of it, so I just evened up the edges a bit before putting it in place. Plus there were a couple of pretty substanitally damaged areas that really needed to be removed........
The next step was kind of difficult, as I had to drag the cargo section across a bit of a ditch in order to get it into place, yet also be able to get the forklift out when I was done. It all worked out, but it was a little challenging..........
The final piece of this puzzle was the tail section. Initially, I was going to install the Beech 18 tail section that I have. It looked pretty cool, but ended up being a major pain in the patooty to try to attach. There is a big section cut out of the roof of the cargo area of the C-97 (where somebody stole the navigator's bubble out of it) that the Twin Beech fuselage section fit in pretty well. The problem is that it put the fuselage inside the cargo area so far that it just took up so much extra space that I really would like to use. (Seems odd that I'm actually trying to make this thing somewhat practical, huh? ) So here's how it looked with the tail held up with the forklift, but unfortunately, I just couldn't find a reasonable way to safely attach it............
So after giving up on the Twin Beech tail, I just went over to my back yard and snatched up the horizontal and vertical fin off of the PBY. It is dang near as rotten (if not worse) than the wings, which made it interesting to watch it flex as I hauled it over to the front yard with the forklift. But it just laid on top of the cargo section pretty well, and will be much easier to permanently attach............
So, there you have it. That's the craziness I've been working on all week. The plan is to paint the wing and tail sections silver, while leaving the fuselage sections natural metal. I've not decided if I'm going to put a rudder on the ass-end or not, or just how I'm going to close off the cargo section. I'll use the right wing for "outside storage" and will hang a swing set and maybe even a hammock under the left wing. Naturally, the plan is to make the landing lights work and possibly even the nav lights for Christmas time.
So if any of y'all get a two day pass from the mental institution, be sure to visit. I'm sure I'll be here, tinkering with something.
Gary
So, here is my latest project. It's a mix between a C-97 Stratofreighter and a PBY Catalina. I call it the Stratolina. (I apologize for the incredibly poor quality of the pictures...these stinkin' iphones have the sorriest cameras on the planet, and my "real" camera is broken).........
I started on this project about five days ago I reckon, when I was walking around Austin Acres, trying to figure out something creative to do with some of these parts I've got laying around here that nobody seems to want (to purchase). So, after a lap or two around the property, I came up with the idea to make a little "composite" airplane out of several different components.
I cleared out a bunch of freakin' mesquite trees, cactus, and other worthless plant life, from an area directly in front of my house. I then moved the C-97 cockpit over to it's new home........
The cockpit will be a great place for Janet's kids, grandkids, and ME to make airplane noises in, while pretending to be a hot-shot pilot-type. Of course, any girls that play in there can just practice to be stewardesses, since women aren't allowed to actually fly, are they?
After the cockpit was in place, I brought the PBY Catalina wing center section over and laid it down behind the cockpit.......
After that, I brought the two outer wing panels for the PBY over and laid them next to the center section........
Followed by the outrigger float assemblies......
The next step was to attach the outer wing panels to the center section. This was easier said than done, as the wing attach angles are quite rotten with corrosion and the knuckleheads at the Rio Grande Valley Wing of the CAF cut the "good" attach points off, rather than just taking the bolts out when they disassembled the wing many years ago.
But I was able to get enough bolts in place to hold everything together for now. I'll have to build some spar straps or something and attach them at a later date........
After that, I picked the entire wing assembly up and drove it into place behind the cockpit section.......
While the forklift was holding the wing up, I manhandled the floats into position and got them bolted up. (THAT was a major chore by myself!!!).....
After getting the wing struts installed (yet another booger-bear of a job for a fat-boy to do), the wing was holding itself up. What I didn't realize until later, is that because of where I placed this project, it's the first thing you see when turning onto my street. I can only imagine what the neighbors think when they see a Stratolina looking at them head-on.
.......
The next day, a strange thing happened......it rained here in Midland!
So, about mid-day, while sitting here at the computer, checking out WIX, I heard what sounded like a Howitzer going off!!! I'm not sure who jumped more, me or my worthless dogs.
Anyway, I ran outside to see what happened, and immediately noticed that the Stratolina experienced a slight structural failure!
What happened was that during the rain, the sandy soil that was holding the wing up the previous day, gave way under the wing struts. So the center section of the wing started sinking, while the floats were holding the wing tips up. Well, the rotten, corroded attach angles (with only a few bolts installed at the time) couldn't take the pressure, and WHAMMO!
So, I rushed out, in the rain, with the trusty ol' forklift and was able to pick the wing and center section back up, taking the pressure off of everything. After some prying and hammering, I managed to get a few more bolts installed so that the wing could support itself once again. Unfortunately, the lightning started getting quite close, so I bailed out and went back inside.
Later that day, the wing sunk a little more and broke a few more places on the attach angles, but this time the rain & lightning had stopped, so I was able to get more than enough bolts installed. Thankfully, I've not had anymore issues with this...so far.
Okay, so the next item to bring over into the mix was the cargo section of the C-97. I wanted the cargo door (which still works, by the way) over on the left side of the airplane, so I had to turn this section around backwards for installation. Whoever cut this thing apart a long time ago, didn't really do a clean job of it, so I just evened up the edges a bit before putting it in place. Plus there were a couple of pretty substanitally damaged areas that really needed to be removed........
The next step was kind of difficult, as I had to drag the cargo section across a bit of a ditch in order to get it into place, yet also be able to get the forklift out when I was done. It all worked out, but it was a little challenging..........
The final piece of this puzzle was the tail section. Initially, I was going to install the Beech 18 tail section that I have. It looked pretty cool, but ended up being a major pain in the patooty to try to attach. There is a big section cut out of the roof of the cargo area of the C-97 (where somebody stole the navigator's bubble out of it) that the Twin Beech fuselage section fit in pretty well. The problem is that it put the fuselage inside the cargo area so far that it just took up so much extra space that I really would like to use. (Seems odd that I'm actually trying to make this thing somewhat practical, huh?
) So here's how it looked with the tail held up with the forklift, but unfortunately, I just couldn't find a reasonable way to safely attach it............
So after giving up on the Twin Beech tail, I just went over to my back yard and snatched up the horizontal and vertical fin off of the PBY. It is dang near as rotten (if not worse) than the wings, which made it interesting to watch it flex as I hauled it over to the front yard with the forklift.
But it just laid on top of the cargo section pretty well, and will be much easier to permanently attach............
So, there you have it. That's the craziness I've been working on all week. The plan is to paint the wing and tail sections silver, while leaving the fuselage sections natural metal. I've not decided if I'm going to put a rudder on the ass-end or not, or just how I'm going to close off the cargo section. I'll use the right wing for "outside storage" and will hang a swing set and maybe even a hammock under the left wing. Naturally, the plan is to make the landing lights work and possibly even the nav lights for Christmas time.
So if any of y'all get a two day pass from the mental institution, be sure to visit. I'm sure I'll be here, tinkering with something.
Gary
Fri Jul 24, 2009 3:49 pm
Wow, I hope I didn't inspire anything here! 
Fri Jul 24, 2009 3:58 pm
She will need a mighty wind to get airborne, and I'm pretty sure the FAA will not approve....so don't tell em!!
Now THAT is Yard Art Texas Style!!!
Now THAT is Yard Art Texas Style!!!
Fri Jul 24, 2009 4:04 pm
BEWARE THE COMING OF THE GREAT DOOLITTLE! He will revenge upon you for what you have done to those aircraft!
lol...
Finally built a plane I don't wanna fly...
Must be nice to have TOYS...
Robbie
(glad I don't live on that street. Well, I wouldn't mind playing in the yard!)
lol...
Finally built a plane I don't wanna fly...
Must be nice to have TOYS...
Robbie
(glad I don't live on that street. Well, I wouldn't mind playing in the yard!)
Fri Jul 24, 2009 4:06 pm
That is a beautiful aircraft! Ha ha One of the funniest things I have ever seen. I have something that might fix it. Give me a sec.
Fri Jul 24, 2009 4:06 pm
Well, that's certainly a lot prettier and intriguing than a lot of the objects in your neighbors backyards (broadly speaking)... I were thinking the other week as we flew through there that instead of big junkyards here in SCTX that everyone one just about has one up there. I guess with the low humidity and all it's a good place to be an old car / scrap metal / whatnot collector up there. I've got to find some junk like that for the ranch...
Ryan
Ryan
??
Fri Jul 24, 2009 4:09 pm
Gary I like your Object-de art 
There's a guy out here with the pinkCadillac impailed on a giant nail beside his house.
He pales in comparison
There's a guy out here with the pinkCadillac impailed on a giant nail beside his house.
He pales in comparison
Fri Jul 24, 2009 4:17 pm
Sorry I had to do it
Fri Jul 24, 2009 4:18 pm
Oh, and don't show Deimert this
Fri Jul 24, 2009 4:19 pm
HA!
Ironically, every single piece of this project was once with the CAF......including the junk Twin Beech tail section. So I reckon if someone saw one of those CAF "tramp stamps" on this thing, the general public would say, "Yup, that's about right."
Gary
Ironically, every single piece of this project was once with the CAF......including the junk Twin Beech tail section. So I reckon if someone saw one of those CAF "tramp stamps" on this thing, the general public would say, "Yup, that's about right."
Gary
Fri Jul 24, 2009 4:21 pm
mustangdriver wrote:Oh, and don't show Deimert this
I thought about him as I was tinkering with this. I was going to call it "The Offender" in honor of Mr. Deimert's Defender project, but I liked Stratolina better.
Gary
???
Fri Jul 24, 2009 4:23 pm
The big decal ruined it.
Gary....any tannerite left
Gary....any tannerite left
Re: ???
Fri Jul 24, 2009 4:25 pm
Jack Cook wrote:The big decal ruined it.
Gary....any tannerite left
I gave all of the tannerite to a friend of mine, but I like the way you think!
Gary
Fri Jul 24, 2009 5:02 pm
sad the see those Cat wings from the ex-CAF machine that I once flew when she was in Australia. I thought it was coming back here as a static?????
Fri Jul 24, 2009 5:11 pm
Oscar Duck wrote:sad the see those Cat wings from the ex-CAF machine that I once flew when she was in Australia. I thought it was coming back here as a static?????
The airplane has had three different owners since it was saved from the scrappers a few years back. The latest I've heard is that the fuselage will be going to Pima to be used for a static display they're building. The wings and tail were pretty much too far gone for Pima's use, especially since they have a good set. After some discussion, they are just going to stay here for a while.
The whole dang airplane is a sad tale. As good as the CAF has been about saving some incredibly rare airplanes in their time, this is certainly one of the bad examples of how they treated airplanes from time to time. I'm not trying to get into a war here with certain CAF folks, but its a fact that this ol' bird was essentially destroyed by the lack of maintenance done by those who were responsible for it. Some of the airplanes in their fleet are outstanding, others are not. But at least the PBY, and the other components of this little "Stratolina" project, didn't turn into beer cans by the scrapper, right?
Gary