Any updates on the LSFM Privateer?

[lestweforget]

Hi, I was wondering if there is any upates on the status of the LSFM Privateer? I know the guys there have had their hands full over recent months, and the recovery of the museum is nothing short of miraculous in my opinion. Big respect to them all. Is it still planned as an airworthy restoration?

[tex-fan]

they are still on for the Privateer to be a flyer. BUT i know that the Spitfire and F3F-2 are still at ezell's. LSFM is having to watch $$$. so i would think that the Privateer's progress has slowed some what also. GREAT place i hope they are back to 100% real soon.

[jotomp]

Here are some photos I took at LSFM in July.

[Jesper]

As a 'nugget' on the WIX, I simply just can't believe the info, and aircrafts, that I keep discovering here.

A 'Privateer', for crying out loud! Unbelievable! (Will it, ultimately, be brought flying status . . . . . . . . . . . . ?? )

You dedicated Warbird people in the US, and through out the world, never stops to amaze me with the tenacity and intrepid approach you have to seemingly hopeless projects

I will probably never see any US based Warbirds 'live', unless they come to Europe. (And I happen to be anywhere near in time and space)

But the very thought that they are there, fills me with an immense satisfaction.

Keep up the good work, gentlemen! For what it is worth, it is very much appreciated!

Last edited by Jesper on Sat Aug 15, 2009 2:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[lestweforget]

Jesper, very well put. I too am in a very similar situation. My sentiments exactly.

[Tom Crawford]

As the pictures show the Privateer is on jacks and the wheels and brakes are off the spindles. Volunteers and mechanics are working to get these reworked and get them reinstalled so the 4Y can be towed out onto the ramp and into the beautiful Galveston sunshine.

Plans are to give her a good cleaning and re-corrosion inhibited. She was corrosion inhibited earlier in her career and this may have helped her survive Hurricane Ike as well as she did.

Odd name "IKE" to be attacking warbirds.. Otherwise she seems to have survived IKE really well, wings, engine nacelles, flight deck and such seem to be okay.
Tom

[Tom Crawford]

For reference, if you notice in the first photograph, the top of the jack sitting next to the nose pretty much represents the water level in the museum during Hurricane IKE plus turbulence.
The museum was pounded by waves and water from West Galveston bay, which is North/Northwest of the museum with a strong Northerly wind and was opposite from what you would think with Gulf of Mexico being basically a mile and a half South/Southeast of the museum.
Tom

[tex-fan]

for Jesper and Tom Crawford, our friends from across the pond. the
Privateer here was a fomer fire bomber. it was ferried to galveston where the good folks at LSFM started the restoration process. i have been by there off and on for years and it always looks a little better each time i'm there. check out their website www.lsfm.org .

[Tom Crawford]

Send a lot of money.. or a lot of beer.... or maybe fish and chips from you guys across the pond.
Tom

[ww2John]

"Plans are to give her a good cleaning and re-corrosion inhibited. She was corrosion inhibited earlier in her career and this may have helped her survive Hurricane Ike as well as she did."

IIRC, I first saw this bird back in '95 just after they had stripped out the interior and were just starting the "cleaning" of the interior surfaces prior to applying corrosion inhibitor.

So sorry they had that awful setback and hope they are able to continue to make good progress. Their work is truly wonderful and these pictures hint at how good the work is.

[RickH]

The water line in Hangar 1 was exactly 6 ft on the Privateer. Hangar 1 didn't get the interior wave action that Hangar 2 did when the walls blew out. There was also an oil slick that formed in the hangar, the scum line was oily on the aircraft in one that didn't show up in 2.

[Django]

Who will fly first?

The MAAM P-61 or the LSFM Privateer?

[tex-fan]

[quote="Django"]Who will fly first?

The MAAM P-61 or the LSFM Privateer?[/quote]

i would think the P-61, because it's so much smaller, BUT who cares really, as long as they get them both flying.

[wendovertom]

If I had the cash, I would make a swap for the beautiful blue Bearcat sitting next to the Privateer so that the funds could help with the privateer!

Tom P.

[RickH]

Never happen, Tom. The Bearcat is owned by Mr. Waltrip, the Privateer by LSFM. The money pots are no longer comingled.