FM-2 Wildcats!

Chappie · **Joined:** Wed Dec 19, 2007 9:40 am **Posts:** 987

Wow, she is absolutely stunning! The flat paint looks wonderful.

I like the night shot of the illuminated instrument panel, I can't imagine flying over the ocean at night looking for your carrier and have those tiny instruments as your only source of light.

Chappie

airnutz · **Posted:** Sun Jul 07, 2013 7:58 am

Beautiful! And a working Coffman too, what a show! Texas Raiders back in non-spec blue in formation with the 'cat...hmmmmn.

Pat Carry · **Posted:** Sun Jul 07, 2013 5:47 pm

Frickin Kool!

DH82EH · **Posted:** Sun Jul 07, 2013 8:19 pm

Okay, I realize a few other folks have beaten me to this revelation, but,

WOW! :shock:

Looks amazing!!!!!

Thanks for posting Conrad. It's gonna look killer with the PV-2

Andy Scott

fighter_ace06 · **Posted:** Sun Jul 07, 2013 11:09 pm

Well I spent a lot of time in the cockpit today, mainly making airplane noises but I did get some work done. I finished up the distribution panel, IFF selector panel and main junction box covers. The new radios are installed and wired into the original J-22 jack box so I can plug my helmet into the original spot. I plugged the battery in for a bit and checked the GPS, key switch, volt meter and propeller. Its a little different to actually watch the blades move by themselves. Tomorrow I will be installing the guns and finishing things up to do a final gear swing then drop it on jacks for the weight and balance.

K5DH · **Posted:** Mon Jul 08, 2013 7:45 am

Just catching up on this thread.

WOW!!! :shock:

Amazing detail work. The whole ship looks fantastic!

:supz:

fighter_ace06 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 08, 2013 10:54 pm

Lots of progress today. I finished up the prop, checked the gearbox oil, greased, and safety wired. Finished up the gun bays and threw the guns in. A little more work in the cockpit and powered everything up for final checks. Prop works well, full pitch at 55 degrees look pretty coarse. I cant imagine cruising around with that pitch and then loosing your generator and battery... no going around! Canopy was painted this morning so it should be good to go on tomorrow morning. Seat belts are in and I even threw in an original 1944 chute.

Rob W · **Posted:** Mon Jul 08, 2013 11:52 pm

Conrad,

That Wildcat looks phenomenal! Going for Grand Champion Warbird at Oshkosh are ya?

Very, very cool!

On a different note, those .50s look gorgeous! Are they functional? (I'm sorry if I missed any discussion pertaining to this previously in the thread...)

Taigh Ramey · **Posted:** Tue Jul 09, 2013 12:00 am

Oh my, Conrad. Simply awesome. We have to park near each other at OSH because they would look so good together. Gotta love the non specular sea blue and tinted zinc. What a great combination.

Well done and I can't wait to see it in person.

Chappie · **Joined:** Wed Dec 19, 2007 9:40 am **Posts:** 987

Man, she is looking great!

Chappie

DH82EH · **Posted:** Tue Jul 09, 2013 6:18 am

Buddy!
She looks frikkin' mint!!
Taigh is totally right. You guys have to park together. Then you guys have to do a photo mission together. :supz:

Anxiously awaiting flight photos

Andy Scott

Obergrafeter · **Posted:** Tue Jul 09, 2013 6:53 am

First flight????

lmritger · **Posted:** Tue Jul 09, 2013 8:27 am

Madre di Dios, that thing is so gorgeous...

airnutz · **Posted:** Tue Jul 09, 2013 8:56 am

Rob W wrote:

On a different note, those .50s look gorgeous! Are they functional? (I'm sorry if I missed any discussion pertaining to this previously in the thread...)

Ditto that!

Lightjug · **Posted:** Tue Jul 09, 2013 4:15 pm

What a gorgeous aircraft. Thank you so much for sharing all the pictures and information!

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FM-2 Wildcats!

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