Mystery Restorations

[george]

I've thought of a few. I'm sure there are others that have kind of dropped off the radar the last few years. Any updates would be appreciated, as would any others I've left off.

1. SB2C-5 83393
2. P47N 45-53436
3. A26C 44-35643 (hopefully update next month from Randy Wilson)
4. P82E 46-256

Mystery fuselage:

P47N 44-88548 (stored in New Mexico as of late 80s)

[12XU2A3X3]

45-53436 is stored at Cavanaugh Flight Museum, no? When i talked to a crew chief from the museum there in mid 2011 he told me that there had been no restoration work done.

[george]

Christian - The last information I could find on the CAF P-47 was that is was up in Sherman under restoration to airworthy. The fuselage was rebuilt, the tail feathers were on, and the left wing had been restored and was attached. This was about 7 years ago. Have found nothing on it since then.

[Alan Brooks]

45-53436 is stored at Cavanaugh Flight Museum, no? When i talked to a crew chief from the museum there in mid 2011 he told me that there had been no restoration work done.

George, this thread, here on WIX will give a picture update on work done so far....The rebuild has been at a standstill for some time..... however, that may be changing in the very near future
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=13541&hilit=P+47N

I've thought of a few. I'm sure there are others that have kind of dropped off the radar the last few years. Any updates would be appreciated, as would any others I've left off.

P-47N 44-88548 (stored in New Mexico as of late 80s)

..... Not really a mystery, this P-47N has both of its wings intact, however, they are just on another P-47N (or will be again in the near future.. the CAF 45-53436).... This fuselage was sold to an owner out in Nevada and I used to speak with him via the telephone on a regular basis. As far as we knew then, there are no spare "N" model wing panels anywhere.... There were bits and pieces of D model wing panels and he has a several "bitsa's" to start with, but they were not complete.

A26C 44-35643... On this CAF bird, I have not gotten an update in quite a while.... I have asked several members of that unit to send me updates and I would post the link on line. I have emailed one of the main mechanics and he was to send some piccies and an update... I do believe that both engines are now on the aircraft and they are making progress.......

George, hope this helps a little....

alan brooks

[george]

Really appreciate this information, Alan. Very glad to hear the Jug may finally be on its way back to flying.

With shops like Vulture and those shops up in Idaho, the owner in Nevada of 44-88548 could probably get new N wings made, if his D wing parts don't work out for him.

Lets hope that Invader gets back in the air pretty soon. They were doing a great job restoring her.

Now if somebody could solve the mystery status of the Helldiver restoration...

[Dan K]

Now if somebody could solve the mystery status of the Helldiver restoration...

Have you tried asking?

http://www.fagenfighters.com/contactus.html

[Randy Wilson]

George - I talked with Woody Woodford (CAF Dir. of Maintenance) yesterday about the Sierra Hotel group A-26 restoration, and he said he had visited them not long ago and that work continues, with a lot of wiring being done currently. He did not have an estimate on completion. Hope that helps. If I get more info after the A-26 ground school later this month, I'll share it.

Randy

[george]

Thank you, Randy. When their monthly newsletters suddenly stopped back in summer of 2012, I was concerned the restoration had also stopped. This A-26 and the P-47N were always highlights of the Harlingen shows for me back in the 70s-80s, and I sure hope they become airworthy again.

The CAF is fortunate to have such good representatives as you, Alan and Brad.

[Thomas_Mac]

Regarding A26C 44-35643

There is a guy on the Chevelle forum I frequent who posts updates on there. I believe it is the same bird?

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthr ... highlight=

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthr ... highlight=

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthr ... highlight=

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthr ... highlight=

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthr ... highlight=

Pulled up a few threads in reverse chronological order

[george]

Fantastic find. Hate to say it, but those threads outdo their old newsletter. That A-26 is looking great. Congratulations to all involved in the restoration. Thanks very much for the links, Thomas_Mac.