NMUSAF Restoration Update Aug-2009

[mustangdriver]

New methods were developed to try and clean the exterior of the Swoose. The team was told that they could not polish the Swoose as her skin was too bad. This is what the team has done so far.


XC-99

New vs. Old XC-99 Wing tips


Here is a plane that was given to the museum, and told it was fully restored. After corrosion issues became apparent, they uncovered the wings and found that the people that restored it, ran out of metal and used street signs.


Helldiver Restoration coninues.

[Clifford Bossie]

Thanks for the update Chris. It amazed me how much was going on when I was there last Friday, even work on the C-82. I was surprised that one wing section from the C-99 was inside. That will be a major task.

How 'bout this one?

[RyanShort1]

Ok - you've got me curious, which aircraft was it that had the street signs?

Ryan

[Dan K]

Here is a plane that was given to the museum, and told it was fully restored. After corrosion issues became apparent, they uncovered the wings and found that the people that restored it, ran out of metal and used street signs.

BSON (Blew Soda Out Nose)

That pic would almost be funny if it wasn't so sad.

[mustangdriver]

I can't remember the number on it, it is one of the pre war observation aircraft.

[Clifford Bossie]

I can't remember the number on it, it is one of the pre war observation aircraft.

It is an O-46A

[RMAllnutt]

Ok - you've got me curious, which aircraft was it that had the street signs?

Ryan

Sadly, I think you will find that this is the Curtiss A-25 Shrike...

Richard

[Dan K]

Interestingly, the NMUSAF website suggests this will be the A-25's paint scheme: A target tow plane from Camp Stewart, GA -- in memory of WASP drivers.

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/shared ... 4P-003.jpg

[mustangdriver]

Dan you are correct that the Helldiver is going to honor the WASPS.

As for the the plane with the street signs in it, it is not the Helldiver. Just that pic is from the Observation plane, the other pics are helldiver though.

[Second Air Force]

Interestingly, the NMUSAF website suggests this will be the A-25's paint scheme: A target tow plane from Camp Stewart, GA -- in memory of WASP drivers.

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/shared ... 4P-003.jpg

I really hope they do decide on a target tow scheme for the old girl. A lot of A-25s were sprinkled around the CONUS for just that purpose and the WASP connection is kinda neat. That is a pretty fancy paint job compared to the plain vanilla schemes on most of the ones assigned to 2AF.

Scott

[Django]

Cool pics.

So the Swoose is going to be polished or are they just playing "what if?"

[RMAllnutt]

Dan you are correct that the Helldiver is going to honor the WASPS.

As for the the plane with the street signs in it, it is not the Helldiver. Just that pic is from the Observation plane, the other pics are helldiver though.

That's fantastic news about the markings the Shrike will wear! Which observation plane was that with the street signs incorporated into its wing. That was crazy! Glad to see the museum is doing something about it.

Cheers,
Richard

[Clifford Bossie]

Dan you are correct that the Helldiver is going to honor the WASPS.

As for the the plane with the street signs in it, it is not the Helldiver. Just that pic is from the Observation plane, the other pics are helldiver though.

That's fantastic news about the markings the Shrike will wear! Which observation plane was that with the street signs incorporated into its wing. That was crazy! Glad to see the museum is doing something about it.

Cheers,
Richard

A Douglas O-46A.



Photo of the complete airframe:

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsh ... asp?id=794

[Nathan]

I think the O-46 would be best preserved flying. None else out there that I know of. Not that anyone would care about them.

[RyanShort1]

Not that anyone would care about them.

Heresy Nathan... Glad to see you back.

Ryan