Warbird Information Exchange

From heated hangers, the Snap-On guy who brings you whatever tool
ya need to Cats that catch snakes for yer supper. Mechs now-a-days are just spoiled.

Just look at that poor bastard in the cockpit of this 11th AF P-36

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Don't think so Jack, I have changed a oil cooler on a Invader standing in the snow and below freezing temps, to changing a cylinder on a DC-3 standing on a ramp with no shade in 95 degrees and 95% humidity, not to mention bucking rivits when it was 122 degrees in Phx. Yep, I got it too easy.

Well, maybe not all of them. But Gary Austin sure is one of them. I mean he has two hands, a pair of cats and I am a sure a few hanger birds to help him out on the B-24! What more does he want?






Yep, I have heard the same. Gotta remember the weather is the same as it was back in 1941.

Cheerio,
Nate

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Al Gore claims it's hotter now.

Dave

Lately it seems like it.

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Hey Jack, who's to say that the poor bastard in the cockpit of that P-40 isn't trying to get his dang cat out of there?!? Either that, or the cat's in the "warm" confines of that tent.

Gary

The cat is the only smart one there, in the tent with the heater..

Lynn

I think thats a P-36.

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The only hanger where I work (IAD) is God's Hanger (outside). July= 95F & humid, Jan= 10F & windy. But then again no one is trying to shoot at me.

Regards,
Mike

"Today's mechanics are spoiled"

Yea right. I'll wager the WWII mechanics may have known a little more from the get go, but those of us who work on them today work in similar conditions when on a warbird recovery without a stock of new spare parts. We put in huge days and generally maintain airplanes many years senior. If you choose to work on Warbirds there is a lot that you choose not to have. As far as the snap on guy, tools today are expensive and not provided by the manufacturers. Every time the Snap on guy shows up, another kid ain't going to college. Well his maybe.

If the tent next to the P-36/P-40 had a Fokker Eindecker also getting ready to fly out then I would be impressed.

You guys make it sound like no fun at all.
Did you miss this in my original post????


He's either looking for his keys or he's froze solid
BTW that's a P-36A

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Don't touch my junk!!

I've been reading the replies and Hope everyone knows that Jack's comments were tongue in cheek. They were, right Jack? Anyway, we've all been up to our armpits in oil in 100 degree temps out on some ramp in God knows where or freezing our butts off trying to change a cylinder in January. As far as I'm concerned, I feel like I am spoiled. I have the privelige to work on these aircraft and keep alive the history that they represent. After a days work, I go home to my own house and hot meal. I've really developed a tremendous amount of respect for those kids way back then who had to maintain and repair them under any circrumstances. Can you imagine doing an engine change in North Africa in August without the benefit of shelter AND it had to ready to fly tomorrow. Remember, just because they had some spare parts only meant that were expected to get the job done more quickly and if my reading serves me correctly, spare parts were always in short supply during the war years. So go ahead Jack, call me spoiled because that's exactly how I feel and thanks for the opportunity!!!!!!!!

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The more I learn about aircraft, the more I realize I still have to learn.

On the mark!!
I've been there myself. Adak in the winter and El Centro in the summer
I've been frozen, melted, cut, burned, bumped, bruised but not beaten

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Don't touch my junk!!

I've been working on our P-40's many times when it's simply hot or cold outside and the conversation would turn to the poor bastards who had to do the same work and more (no one shoots at me or the airplane that I'm aware of) in North Africa in the heat, wind, and sand blowing all over or the guys up in the Aleutians freezing their asses and fingers off. I'm with Jack on this one!

[quote]I've been working on our P-40's many times when it's simply hot or cold outside and the conversation would turn to the poor bastards who had to do the same work and more (no one shoots at me or the airplane that I'm aware of) in North Africa in the heat, wind, and sand blowing all over or the guys up in the Aleutians freezing their asses and fingers off. I'm with Jack on this one!


Amen brother!!!!!!!!![/quote]

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The more I learn about aircraft, the more I realize I still have to learn.