This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
Post a reply

Tue Oct 28, 2008 9:42 pm

What parts came from Maryland? Just curious because that's where I live.

Wed Oct 29, 2008 6:41 am

SaxMan wrote:What parts came from Maryland? Just curious because that's where I live.


The B-24L fuselage, A-15 Nose Turret, M-250 Top turret, A-6B Tail Turret, Landing Gear, Wheels.....everything pictured on these 10 or so pages:
http://www.questmasters.us/B-24.html

Parts are Here ! PB4Y-2 Updated Photos

Wed Oct 29, 2008 7:59 am

We unloaded Gary yesterday morning. The sorting has already begun. If your in the area stop in, we look a little like the old plant! Check the yankee web site for updates on the PB4Y-2, last weekend is up! Way to go KOS! Thanks -JOE

Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:56 am

I was at the museum Saturday picking up items dropped off for Operation Iraq Paq (sending care packages to Marines in Iraq) so I dropped by to see the work going on with the B-24 sections and snapped some pictures. Sorry about the low qualilty.

Image
You can see behind the ladder what appears to be a tunnel gun hatch similar to what Gary installed in Ole' 927. This is a Privateer taill section that is being converted to a twin tail B-24 tail for the display.

Image
This was received in 2 sections (cockpit and nose) and is being mated together.

Image
Another view of the nose/cockpit.

Image
Fuselage section.

Image
Another view of the fuselage section. Also a turret, wing section, vertical stabilizers and half of my Wife holding my Daughter's baby doll and scarf!!!

Image
Misc. components.

Image
B-24D nose greenhouse.

Image
...and my Daughter, Avery, testing out the Yankee Air Museum P-51 pedal car...she wants one!!!!!

You can see the larger images showing greater detail here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29510921@N08/sets/72157608621337013/
Regard,
Mark Popejoy

Mon Nov 03, 2008 11:32 am

Wow, all those B-24 parts appear to be in pretty good condition. It would be cool if they could get a set of wings someday and make a complete airframe.


Not yet.
The reason for the aquisition of these parts is (I believe) to be part of the new museum in tribute to the B-24 plant at Willow Run. The sections will be displayed as if they are coming together for assembly


That's what I've heard as well. I'll have to dig through my old newsletters and see if I can find anything more specific. They're also doing a lot of work on their static Privateer.

Mon Nov 03, 2008 3:16 pm

Matt,
I went over to the Air Park after leaving the hangar. They are indeed doing some work on the Privateer. There was a trailer parked next to it and the nose greenhouse was off of it. Don't know the extent of the repairs they are performing.
Also, work continues to get the F-86D painted before the snow flies.
Regards,
Mark

B-24 parts

Mon Nov 03, 2008 7:32 pm

Wow, all those B-24 parts appear to be in pretty good condition. It would be cool if they could get a set of wings someday and make a complete airframe.


A set of outer wing panels ( L and R from a combat veteran B-24 D ) were offered to Yankee staff from Arizona collector but museum said there was no interest in them at this time, and that they'd prefer to focus on looking for a center wing section versus outer wings. Ditto a set of three original PB4Y-2 engine mounts with a lead on a fourth plus parts to complete the set just a few hundred miles away - no interest at this time. A shame, in my opinion, as this might be fodder for a restoration 10 years out. It wasn't a money issue - just a "perceived value" situation on the part of a museum staffer tasked with the acquisitions for the project at hand.

I was told there is no interest in removing the R-2600 engine QECs from the Privateer, and perhaps the wings proved to be a challenge to move from their present location. But they were offered, nonetheless...

Mon Nov 03, 2008 8:11 pm

I looked over some of the parts a few weeks ago..some are in pretty rough shape. The cockpit enclosure is badly corroded..it was part of a B-24D wreck recovered from the Aleutians.

Image
The nose section is actually from a B-24A, and the nose greenhouse came from Privateer tanker C-30, under restoration at Lone Star.

The tail section has had the waist turret areas faired over..to make the standard B-24 waist gun setup, they'll have to do some major work. The hatch is standard for the B-24/Privateer..there was a tunnel gun there on the early B-24Ds, but it was deleted on later models when the ball turret was added.

Image

They've got a great start for a static display, but I think to build a complete/flyable aircraft they'd practically have to start from scratch.

SN

Wed Nov 26, 2008 1:17 pm

Do they have an ETA/goal for getting this together?
Post a reply