Fri Jun 08, 2007 8:16 pm
This sounds kinda fishy. First the guy writes the letter and sends it to the editor unsigned. Hopefully his letter will fall on deaf ears.
Then, last weekend, Gary airport personnel seriously damaged the CAF's JU-52 in a ground handling mishap. The rudder, tail wheel yoke and tail wheel were damaged when the yoke failed and broke free while the aircraft was being towed through soft turf by the tail wheel by a tow tractor, causing the airplane tail to fall on its own severed tail wheel. The rudder was bent on the bottom and the casting for the tail wheel yoke was broken. Right now, the airplane is grounded until the CAF can locate replacement parts. The tail wheel yoke is made out of magnesium and it may be repaired, but finding a good JU-52 tail wheel assembly might be difficult. If anyone knows where the CAF's Great Lakes Wing can find these rare JU-52 parts, I'm sure they would be happy to talk to you.
Jim
Then, last weekend, Gary airport personnel seriously damaged the CAF's JU-52 in a ground handling mishap. The rudder, tail wheel yoke and tail wheel were damaged when the yoke failed and broke free while the aircraft was being towed through soft turf by the tail wheel by a tow tractor, causing the airplane tail to fall on its own severed tail wheel. The rudder was bent on the bottom and the casting for the tail wheel yoke was broken. Right now, the airplane is grounded until the CAF can locate replacement parts. The tail wheel yoke is made out of magnesium and it may be repaired, but finding a good JU-52 tail wheel assembly might be difficult. If anyone knows where the CAF's Great Lakes Wing can find these rare JU-52 parts, I'm sure they would be happy to talk to you.
Jim
Fri Jun 08, 2007 8:59 pm
Warbird Mechanic wrote:This sounds kinda fishy. First the guy writes the letter and sends it to the editor unsigned. Hopefully his letter will fall on deaf ears.
Then, last weekend, Gary airport personnel seriously damaged the CAF's JU-52 in a ground handling mishap. The rudder, tail wheel yoke and tail wheel were damaged when the yoke failed and broke free while the aircraft was being towed through soft turf by the tail wheel by a tow tractor, causing the airplane tail to fall on its own severed tail wheel. The rudder was bent on the bottom and the casting for the tail wheel yoke was broken. Right now, the airplane is grounded until the CAF can locate replacement parts. The tail wheel yoke is made out of magnesium and it may be repaired, but finding a good JU-52 tail wheel assembly might be difficult. If anyone knows where the CAF's Great Lakes Wing can find these rare JU-52 parts, I'm sure they would be happy to talk to you.
Jim
Hi Jim,
Are you trying to say that it sounds like someone sabotage the Ju 52? Then someone "unknown" writes a letter to an editor about it with negative comments? Your right it sounds fishy and if this is what happened this is not only damaging private property but also endangered the lives of the crew!!
Ok, now Im ready to kick a$$.
Fri Jun 08, 2007 10:43 pm
I just find it as a strange coincidence that first a guy writes to the editor of a newspaper complaining about the German markings, but does not sign his name like a coward would do, then the tail wheel incident happens at the airport. I'm not really saying its sabotage, but that it does sound very fishy to me that both of these incidents have happened within a week. Thats all. 
I do hope the CAF can find all the JU-52 parts they need so they can make all the necessary repairs needed to bring their Iron Annie back into the air where she belongs.
Jim
I do hope the CAF can find all the JU-52 parts they need so they can make all the necessary repairs needed to bring their Iron Annie back into the air where she belongs.
Jim
Fri Jun 08, 2007 10:51 pm
Can we put a hold on all the conspiracy theories for a moment?
Unless I’m mistaken, the JU tailwheel incident happened at DVN during an airshow appearance, not GYY.
Unless I’m mistaken, the JU tailwheel incident happened at DVN during an airshow appearance, not GYY.
Fri Jun 08, 2007 11:20 pm
Have they found a replacement for the tail wheel ??
Steve
Steve
Fri Jun 08, 2007 11:29 pm
Go back to the link for the article and read the editorials that follow. It seems that many people who read the article decided to stand up voice their opinions too. AND--- they agree with us. Maybe there are not as many politically correct people as we might think. I think the editorial responses are great!!!!
Sat Jun 09, 2007 12:11 am
Northwest Indiana/ Chicagoland residents have a love for vintage warbirds/ aviation. When ever I go to an Indiana Aviation Museum event or any other warbird event the crowds are impressive.
Sat Jun 09, 2007 1:51 pm
Steve wrote:Have they found a replacement for the tail wheel ??
Steve
No yet. One of their members told me a couple days ago that they would be willing to get a JU-52 wheel off of a wrecked aircraft lying on the side of a hill if they had to. They are desperately looking for one. If someone here has information on where they could find a JU-52 wheel thats in good shape, I'm sure they would greatly appreciate it.
Jim