FM2s at Uvalde, Texas

[Tambo]

While in Texas recently I was shown into a hangar where they claimed 4 FM2 Wildcat
restorations taking place.
One was identified as 55404 which is a Pensacola bird. Another they said was formerly with the Planes of Fame collection and stored in a crate was the remains of one that had been involved in a fatal accident at the Wings Over Houston airshow 2003 (which was N681S / 55585). The 4th "aircraft" was pretty much a collection of spares rather than a recognisable airframe.
The owner is said to be planning on taking 55404 to Oshkosh this year so clearly work is very much ongoing !
Can anyone confirm the identities of these aircraft for me ?

Cheers

[Dan K]

While in Texas recently I was shown into a hangar where they claimed 4 FM2 Wildcat
restorations taking place.
One was identified as 55404 which is a Pensacola bird. Another they said was formerly with the Planes of Fame collection and stored in a crate was the remains of one that had been involved in a fatal accident at the Wings Over Houston airshow 2003 (which was N681S / 55585). The 4th "aircraft" was pretty much a collection of spares rather than a recognisable airframe.
The owner is said to be planning on taking 55404 to Oshkosh this year so clearly work is very much ongoing !
Can anyone confirm the identities of these aircraft for me ?

Cheers

55404
55585
86754
86774

[JBrawner]

and here is the topic that deals with them from someone working on them.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=33045

[WarbirdRadio]

Here's an interview with Conrad... I'm pretty sure these are the Wildcats in question.

http://www.warbirdradio.com/tag/wild-warbirds/

Matt

[RyanShort1]

I've been inside the hangar and those guys are doing very nice work.

Ryan

[Lynn Allen]

Did Conrad show you the drop tanks still in there crates??

[RyanShort1]

Did Conrad show you the drop tanks still in there crates??

I think so. Some of the stuff he was working on was just fantastic.

Ryan

[fighter_ace06]

Thanks for all the support guys. 86774 is the first rebuild and the one we are trying to get to oshkosh. 55404 is the next to be rebuilt along with 55585 at the same time. I have been meaning to update the progress but just havent had time.
Engine and cowl are on, tank is in, stub wings are on, all engine acc. on, just waiting on wiring and some fuel lines to start. Looking for curtiss electric blades, seems someone gave us red tagged blades without red tags in the deal.

Conrad

[Dan K]

Thanks for all the support guys. 86774 is the first rebuild and the one we are trying to get to oshkosh...

Conrad

You WILL be coming north with the plane in July, right Conrad? I'm sure there are several of us Nordic types that would like to rescue your undernourished Texan self with beers & brats (& maybe a deviled egg or ten).

Are you seriously looking for blades? What type #'s? Lotta' scroungers here.

[Tambo]

Thanks for the info guys - and Conrad, thanks for the access ! (didn't know you'd be on here !) We really appreciated getting a look at your work and if you can hold that mad dog of yours in the hangar long enough to guard them, they'll be fine !!
Keep em flying !!

[mustanglover]

and if you can hold that mad dog of yours in the hangar long enough to guard them, they'll be fine !!
Keep em flying !!

Yeah that "Strega", the dog, is quite the character!!!!

[the330thbg]

Awesome, guys!!!

Nice job!