Starting out with restoring?

[ProudKerman]

Hi

I've been collecting warbird parts for sometime now, mostly instruments but lost of other parts and manuals.
What would be the best way to start gaining more knowledge in the area.
I've got the opportunity to help out a museum once a month, could be more but the place is 2 hours away.
I live close to RAAF Amberley but there museum only wants people who know what there're doing and I'm sure most other museums would be like that. So how to I go about gaining expertise without being able to volunteer, google searches aren't really helpful. Maybe I could learn more about restoring instruments since they make up a large portion of my collection but where would I find resources for restoring them?
Any help or info would great also is the book "Restoring Museum Aircraft" worth the price and read? Seams like a good start point.

Thanks

[dirtysidedown430]

Most kids get their start by ridding their bikes to the closest small airport getting to know people then wash an airplane and get their first ride then keep hanging around with ramp bums around the coffee pot and go from there little by little. If you get my drift.

[Dave Hadfield]

Just show up, be cheerful, and get along. Eventually they will say, "what a good guy".

Grab a broom. Clean up oil. Escort guests. Pull weeds around the front door.

No museum ever has enough volunteers.

Once you're known and trusted, you will be tasked for more and more. I've seen this. In fact I AM THIS.

However don't expect to be asked into the shop as a Restorer unless you have professional qualifications -- licenses, and a track record and a resume, and so forth. Ditto for flying the airplanes.

Dave

[Dan K]

Dave, really nailed it. My story was similar.

Although they don't offer much of a website, I did notice that EAA Chapter 1308 is located in Toowoomba.

http://www.1308.eaachapter.org/about.htm

I have no idea how far that is from your home, but these chapters can be great places to learn skills like fabric work, bucking & riveting, welding and whatnot. Let the chapter know what your interests are, and they'll more than likely invite you to lend a hand the next time a member's project needs work.

I've also learned a few tricks for the shop by watching "Hints for Homebuilders": Over 300 videos on aircraft construction techniques...courtesy EAA:

http://www.eaavideo.org/channel.aspx?ch=ch_hints

Hope some of this was useful.

[Project Warbird]

Both dirtysidedown430 and Dave did nail it.

I started volunteering at The San Diego Air and Space museum when I was in middle school. A broom and dust rag where my best friends for a long time. After a couple years of working my way up to the model shop, one of the restoration volunteers pulled me aside and asked me to help him buck a couple rivets. They where restoring a Ford Trimotor. That was the first plane I ever worked on.

When I could get around better I traveled to one of our small airports. I became the new airport bum. Every time I saw someone pulling out their airplane I would ask to see if they needed help. I would do the same if they where working on them too. I finally got the chance to work on a few airplanes.

Then I bought my first project, North American SNJ from the CAF chapter at the airport. Found a hanger and started Project Warbird. Been restoring Warbirds ever since.

If this is what your dream is, then just be the little guy at the airport and help every time you get a chance. One day you will come across the wright person that will say, (let me show you how to do that).

Or you could just spend tuns of money and go to a school.

[pilot06]

Keep showing up. Eventually they will get tired of seeing and put you to work.