Collings B-24 Witchcraft gets a little maintenance

[4RG.I.'S]

Stopped at the Collings tour in Waukesha this morning (7/31/2016). The B-24 lost a cylinder during the flight to. The guys working on her said other than a chip light there was no other indications, she ran well even down a cylinder. He said the head separated from the cylinder and was only hanging on by the exhaust... We made em tough back then! A few photos here:

http://s1242.photobucket.com/user/14RGI ... %207-31-16

[WIXerGreg]

FINALLY Collings hit my local airport this year. 909 and Witchcraft flew over my daughter's soccer game last night but when I called to book a flight this morning they said the B-24 was down for maintenance. I assumed it was something small but when I got there tonight I found this. Number 2 decided she wasn't having it and is going home. Sheared cylinder studs, they decided to pull it rather than chance flying without knowing if there was metal ingestion. They still plan to be out of here Thursday on schedule.

[Pogo]

Thanks for that. Hats off to the crew!

It's impossible for me to pick a "favorite warbird", but ol' Witchcraft would be on the short list for sure. Such a lovely a/c - and hard working too!

[Nathan]

Im always surprised how fast the crew can take off a broken part and HQ overnights a part they already have waiting just in case something goes wrong. Collings definitely have a really good system going, and really good team work and good leadership. I wish more people/organizations would follow their example.

[cooper9411]

About 4:45 pm a B-25 flew around downtown and shortly after a B-17 flew over. I headed out to the airport and found "Nine-o-Nine" on the tarmac outside of Grand Aire. The B-25 and P-51 were secured in the hangar and no one was allowed entrance except for a WW2 veteran who flew in B-17's, 24's, and has over 800 hours in a Mustang. We talked for a few minutes and I thanked him for his time and service. As I watched him get into the drivers seat of his vehicle I noticed his license plate which read
P 51 H
Quite a few people were driving up to the fence to see the B-17. Guess I'll be heading back to the airport tomorrow or Friday to get a better look and I'm sure I'll do the "self guided tour" and who knows, maybe a flight! I'll get some pictures and try to post them.

[CoastieJohn]

Im always surprised how fast the crew can take off a broken part and HQ overnights a part they already have waiting just in case something goes wrong. Collings definitely have a really good system going, and really good team work and good leadership. I wish more people/organizations would follow their example.

When I was in New Smyrna earlier this year they had a QEC or two ready to go plus shelves full of parts/pieces for the various a/c. I'll be back there next week.

[pjpahs]

My brother lives in Lafayette and on Fathers Day a cell phone distracted driver hit him while he was riding his last ever motorcycle. He said two weeks later he wanted to see the warbirds coming to Purdue Airport. I found out it was The Collings Tour and promised him we'd get there. Changed my work schedule and took him Tuesday. He's still in a wheelchair and when I wheeled him to the entrance , Big Iron driver, Mac , looked us over . My brother in a wheelchair wearing his 25th infantry hat , Viet Nam Vet, Purple Heart , etc. he heavily discounted our entrance fee knowing we could not enter the A.C.. Mac was the driver on my previous flights with Collings and they are a class act. I responded by purchasing heavily at their tables when we left. I'm saving for my Mustang flight.

[gtokid]

She's still in West Lafayette, IN as of 3:30pm. New engine was on, but prop was still off. Guys were working hard outside in the heat. Hopefully they can getting back in the air before the storms roll in this weekend.

[cooper9411]

Yeah, talked to a couple of the pilots here in Toledo and they said it would be a few days before the 24 could move.

[WIXerGreg]

I think she flew over my house at about 7:30 tonight. Definitely a multiple radial plane but by the time I got to a window to look out in the right direction I couldn't make out for sure if it was them.

[Sabremech]

Im always surprised how fast the crew can take off a broken part and HQ overnights a part they already have waiting just in case something goes wrong. Collings definitely have a really good system going, and really good team work and good leadership. I wish more people/organizations would follow their example.

Not quite sure who you're referring to Nathan when wishing more people/organizations would follow their example?

[WIXerGreg]

I ran by the airport on the way home from work this afternoon and they're gone. I do think that was them leaving town just after 7 last night.

[Pogo]

Those guys rock!

[JimH]

The fastest engine change I witnessed and kinda helped on was 3 1/2 days...in Valpo. #1 failed on short final...Thursday afternoon we flew it Evansville. Great crew! Great support.

Jim