Warbird Information Exchange

https://vintageaviationnews.com/restora ... pdate.html

Phil

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A man's got to know his limitations.

Coming along nicely! Are the outer wing panels completed? The article mentions the horizontal stab as one of the largest components that still need to be finished.


SN

I believe the wings are nearing completion, as they were the last major sub assemblies to be rebuilt.

"Russ notes they have “virtually all of the parts done now for the wings”, the team taking on the task of assembling them when they are ready. Aug, 16th 2024" https://www.key.aero/article/widows-web

Question: Does any of the MAAM collection fly anymore? I don't feel like I've seen any video or pics of there aircraft flying for awhile now. B-25, BT-13, replica Val, N3N, SNJ, TBM, etc.? I've been told the R4D and Neptune would need to be completely gone through if it ever flew again.

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Keep Em' Flying,
Christopher Soltis
Dedicated to the preservation and education of The Sikorsky Memorial Airport

CASC Blog Page: http://ctair-space.blogspot.com/
Warbird Wear: https://www.redbubble.com/people/warbirdwear/shop

Chicks Dig Warbirds.......right?

I don't remember where I read it, but what I read said that they do not intend to fly it after the restoration. It was something about using the fuel available today, that they may not safely make enough power. The question I have is how is it that P-47's, Bearcat's, Corsairs, as well as a Sea Fury or two run the R-2800 engines fine, or at least appear to.

If true, then the key would be, "...they may not safely make enough power" for the weight/aerodynamic characteristics of the P-61.

It would be a shame to not see her fly but it is after all a very rare machine. So fast taxi only? But it does still beg the question of why go to the effort on the engines when a local overhaul would see her fit for 'just' fast taxiing?

Hijacking the thread:
Mid Atlantic Air Museum's WWII weekend takes place June 6-8 2025. This is the major fundraising effort for MAAM and a really great show. I have continually supported the show for now 28 years. If you have not been to the show, go. Let me restate that- GO!!!!!!! Not only are you supporting MAAM and its P-61 restoration, you are supporting a contingent of 1600 re-enactors, 260 WWII vehicles, hundreds of individual displays, 170 flea market vendors, and watching the largest, best WWII show in the world. Flying into Philadelphia or Baltimore, there are plenty of outlying hotels and places to stay to drop in for a day, or attend all three days. Each day has some of the same and something different.

Full disclosure- I am not a member of MAAM but have done some work surrounding restorations and collections in the museum.

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REMEMBER THE SERGEANT PILOTS!

I really hope they are able to fly it. This is the restoration I have been most excited about by a wide margin for a long time. It would be a shame to complete all of the work to airworthy standards only to not be able to fly it! That said, if the museum has any doubts about the safety or performance of the aircraft for any reason, it's probably best to keep it grounded. Obviously accidents can still happen on the ground, but better to play it safe than take an unnecessary risk. Taxying and night runs might be a nice way to keep people engaged after its completed. I'm sure there are many photographers who would pay to attend a night run. That decision is obviously still in the future though and I'm sure will be made with care.

In the meantime, I'm glad to read about the progress taking place and looking forward to seeing it for myself at WWII Weekend in a couple weeks. I really enjoyed talking to the project volunteers at the show a couple years ago and am looking forward to seeing what progress has been made since my last visit.

I will also echo what Forgotten Field shared about WWII Weekend - if you have the time and means, attend this event. I made my first trip two years ago and was very impressed. I know regulars say that the lineup is similar year-to-year, but the amount of entertainment you get is unmatched by any event I've been to outside of Oshkosh. It is an immersive experience. I'm not normally interested in reenactors or anything other than airplanes at airshows, but I thoroughly enjoyed the ground displays, encampments and WWII vehicles. There are regular aircraft operations from the time the gates open until after the show officially concludes. You will see a mix of everything in the air - trainers, liaison, transports, bombers, fighters, Pacific, ETO, paratroopers, warbird aerobatics, just about everything you could want from a warbird show. The lineup for this year looks great, with Doc and the MAM Me-262 headlining. Looking forward to seeing the Thunderbird P-51C, more aircraft from the MAM collection and CAF birds again too.

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Matt

I seem to remember about ten years ago they had a fundraiser where the highest bidder would get the opportunity to be the first to fly in the P-61. I'm not sure that really means anything, but still..

https://www.warbirdinformationexchange. ... 1&start=15

FYI - It was a good book..

Phil

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A man's got to know his limitations.

Both the C 46 and CL 215 use the basic same engine,and both have higher empty weight and gross weight then the P61

Both the C 46 and CL 215 use the basic same engine,and both have higher empty weight and gross weight then the P61

This doesn't take into account the lift and aerodynamic characteristics of each aircraft, much less their intrinsic value and rarity. The C-46 is still operated in the cargo role and though I don't know the modern-day load restrictions I'd imagine they'd be less than in period. But the C-46 has a wing area twice that of a P-61.

And the CL-215 features a notably high-lift wing with copious areas of trailing edge flap etc. I'd expect a CL-215 take-off and climb-out to be far more straightforward than a P-61.

But in any case the aircraft's rarity is undoubtedly a prime consideration here.