Curtiss O-52 Project
Mon Apr 11, 2016 1:14 pm
Some of you know that we have been working on an O-52 project for the last 16 years. It is getting close to completion and hopefully in the next several years will fly.
When we purchased the project it came with two airframes, one wrecked one and on relatively intact one. The wrecked one is now surplus to our needs and I would like to find a home for it versus just scrapping it. Currently it is sitting outside beside one of my hangars. There is also a damaged wing as well.
It is unlikely to be a candidate for flight without a MAJOR undertaking, but I do have the fuselage rotisserie and a wing jig that go with it. Again, versus cutting them up for scrap.
If anyone has serious interest and has the capability to do something with it for display etc, I will forward emails to you. Don't have time to figure out posting the photos on here. PM me.
Thanks!
When we purchased the project it came with two airframes, one wrecked one and on relatively intact one. The wrecked one is now surplus to our needs and I would like to find a home for it versus just scrapping it. Currently it is sitting outside beside one of my hangars. There is also a damaged wing as well.
It is unlikely to be a candidate for flight without a MAJOR undertaking, but I do have the fuselage rotisserie and a wing jig that go with it. Again, versus cutting them up for scrap.
If anyone has serious interest and has the capability to do something with it for display etc, I will forward emails to you. Don't have time to figure out posting the photos on here. PM me.
Thanks!
Re: Curtiss O-52 Project
Tue Apr 12, 2016 9:50 am
Very excited to hear your O-52 is nearing completion, a very cool and unusual type.
Also glad that you are offering the parts and fixtures up, I hope they find a good home.
Also glad that you are offering the parts and fixtures up, I hope they find a good home.
Re: Curtiss O-52 Project
Tue Apr 12, 2016 9:53 am
Tim-
Did your projects come from AmJet in Anoka, MN? I snapped this many years ago, but do not know where they went...
Did your projects come from AmJet in Anoka, MN? I snapped this many years ago, but do not know where they went...
Re: Curtiss O-52 Project
Tue Apr 12, 2016 5:50 pm
I knew of an O-52 project here in IN but didn't realize it was you. Very cool!
Re: Curtiss O-52 Project
Tue Apr 12, 2016 6:35 pm
Yes, this is the former Amjet ex-Soplata, airplane, it has been kicking around for a while....
Re: Curtiss O-52 Project
Wed Apr 13, 2016 12:19 am
Ideas on a buyer for the second basket case O-52, that's wrecked and missing a wing.
1) try the Kalamazoo Air Museum. They have maybe the best collection of Curtiss built aircraft. It would make a nice static display.
2) the Warhawk Museum in Idaho. They have a few Curtiss aircraft.
3) the highest level warbird rebuilder shops. Have to make a new set of wings from scratch. Just like the short wing B-26's and HU-16As were later lengthened , it needs two to four feet added to each wing. This would greatly improve its flying characteristics, particularly stalls.
1) try the Kalamazoo Air Museum. They have maybe the best collection of Curtiss built aircraft. It would make a nice static display.
2) the Warhawk Museum in Idaho. They have a few Curtiss aircraft.
3) the highest level warbird rebuilder shops. Have to make a new set of wings from scratch. Just like the short wing B-26's and HU-16As were later lengthened , it needs two to four feet added to each wing. This would greatly improve its flying characteristics, particularly stalls.
Re: Curtiss O-52 Project
Wed Apr 13, 2016 12:42 am
This is great news! I have heard from a friend that used to work for them when they were in the Tucson area that the Muszala brothers have, or had, an O-52 project as well. If true they may be interested in the wrecked airframe.
Re: Curtiss O-52 Project
Wed Apr 13, 2016 9:34 am
Great news Tim - any other nuggets of info you can throw out regarding the current status of the one you are restoring or any pictures of the one you are looking to unload?