Tue Jul 03, 2007 7:29 am
Gary,
Looking at all the pictures of the inside you posted, I noticed that it seems to be straight aluminum finish. Is there any plans to paint or prime the interior ?
Or was it bare aluminum originally ? Just wondering, not suggesting it should be this or that way... My knowledge of warbirds is rather limited...
Looking at all the pictures of the inside you posted, I noticed that it seems to be straight aluminum finish. Is there any plans to paint or prime the interior ?
Or was it bare aluminum originally ? Just wondering, not suggesting it should be this or that way... My knowledge of warbirds is rather limited...
Tue Jul 03, 2007 8:21 am
Michel C-GNCJ wrote:Gary,
Looking at all the pictures of the inside you posted, I noticed that it seems to be straight aluminum finish. Is there any plans to paint or prime the interior ?
Or was it bare aluminum originally ? Just wondering, not suggesting it should be this or that way... My knowledge of warbirds is rather limited...
I think I can answer this one...I know Gary and his crew had the cockpit and nose areas repainted and the new tail turret area in Consolidated green, I think that the conclusion was that their just wasnt enough time to spray the rest of the interior
Tue Jul 03, 2007 8:21 am
Michel C-GNCJ wrote:Gary,
Looking at all the pictures of the inside you posted, I noticed that it seems to be straight aluminum finish. Is there any plans to paint or prime the interior ?
Or was it bare aluminum originally ? Just wondering, not suggesting it should be this or that way... My knowledge of warbirds is rather limited...
Good questions. From what I can tell, the "A" models could've been both, painted and bare. I know for a fact that this particular airplane has some areas that have that "Consolidated Green" primer/paint applied, but other areas were left alone. The eventual plan would be to paint everything inside the airplane Consolidated Green (like I've done in the bombardier's compartment), and leave the floorboards natural metal. I'm almost positive that's how this particular airplane was outfitted. However, with all of that being said, what you see is what you get for this year. I just don't have the time to finish everything that I'd like, such as the interior paint.
I hope that helps answer your questions.
Gary
Tue Jul 03, 2007 12:07 pm
Sure does.
Thanks for the all the great info. I know many have said so but seeing what you guys are doing with this aircraft makes one whish more of them were treated the same way.
It's great to see how much you guys care about Ol'927. I can't wait to see her in Oshkosh and perhaps shake your hand too !
Thanks for the all the great info. I know many have said so but seeing what you guys are doing with this aircraft makes one whish more of them were treated the same way.
It's great to see how much you guys care about Ol'927. I can't wait to see her in Oshkosh and perhaps shake your hand too !
Fri Jul 06, 2007 6:54 am
Here's a very quick photo update for y'all. As you know, I have right at a week now before we're scheduled to conduct our ground school and have our first flights in the B-24 for the year. So with that being said, I've not made the time to take the detailed pictures I probably should have for decent progress reports for everyone. I'm sure y'all understand though. My last "big" project is this stinkin' entry door that has been a thorn in my side since the day I took the old one apart to find that it was completely rotten inside (particularly at the bottom of the door). This, along with other factors, required that I essentially start from scratch and make a new door. Well, I'm closing in on it, but the steps for the door have been problematic for me. I'm trying to make something that's strong enough for our "guests with girth" to enter with, yet light enough that some of our older volunteers will be able to lift the door into the closed position.
The following pictures are just a very basic overview of what's been going on lately. You'll just have to use your imagination to fill in the blanks.
I know it doesn't prove anything, but this first picture is intended to show y'all that I don't just think about this freakin' airplane while at work. I was at the house, in the early evening, trying to get some sleep, when all I could think about is the design of this door. I cut out a piece of one of the pages from my cell phone instructions and turned it into a B-24 fuselage section and entry door...so to speak. I was trying to use anything I could find (camera straps, etc.) to simulate hold open chains and retraction cables, or whatever else I could imagine to make this thing work. Frankly, I can't tell you if I even came up with any good ideas on this evening. I simply don't remember anymore........
What I do know is that when I started messing with the door again, I decided to undo some of the hard work that Daniel had put into it, by taking the ladder system off that he'd installed. He and I had talked about that ladder system and thought that it would work out, but it didn't. It was cumbersome and difficult to walk on, and would never work for the general public or our volunteers. As Bob Diemert (of "The Defender" fame) would say, "It was a good idea, it just didn't work." So, off came the ladder, which left me with the basic door again.........
Another of my crappy ideas that had to be replaced was the holder-uppers for the hand rail arms. After watching folks go up and down the door (when the ladder setup was in place), it was obvious that the brackets I'd made were not substantial enough. So, as ugly as they are (I don't have time for "pretty" anymore), I made some new brackets that are substantially stronger........
This last picture shows a mostly completed new step. It's made from several different angle materials and extrusions, along with some of the leftover floorboard material that we used in the back of the B-29 during it's most recent work project. I've since finished this step and am moving on to the other two that will go into the door assembly....
It's going to look like hell, but at this point, I've just got to get this stinkin' airplane finished. Just last night, I had four calls within a half an hour from people who've not lifted a freakin' finger to help with this project, asking if I'd have the airplane finished in time for them to fly next weekend. I understand their curiosity, but do you realize how freakin' frustrating it is to be asked that question over and over and over and over?
Okay, rant over...back to work.
Gary
The following pictures are just a very basic overview of what's been going on lately. You'll just have to use your imagination to fill in the blanks.
I know it doesn't prove anything, but this first picture is intended to show y'all that I don't just think about this freakin' airplane while at work. I was at the house, in the early evening, trying to get some sleep, when all I could think about is the design of this door. I cut out a piece of one of the pages from my cell phone instructions and turned it into a B-24 fuselage section and entry door...so to speak. I was trying to use anything I could find (camera straps, etc.) to simulate hold open chains and retraction cables, or whatever else I could imagine to make this thing work. Frankly, I can't tell you if I even came up with any good ideas on this evening. I simply don't remember anymore........
What I do know is that when I started messing with the door again, I decided to undo some of the hard work that Daniel had put into it, by taking the ladder system off that he'd installed. He and I had talked about that ladder system and thought that it would work out, but it didn't. It was cumbersome and difficult to walk on, and would never work for the general public or our volunteers. As Bob Diemert (of "The Defender" fame) would say, "It was a good idea, it just didn't work." So, off came the ladder, which left me with the basic door again.........
Another of my crappy ideas that had to be replaced was the holder-uppers for the hand rail arms. After watching folks go up and down the door (when the ladder setup was in place), it was obvious that the brackets I'd made were not substantial enough. So, as ugly as they are (I don't have time for "pretty" anymore), I made some new brackets that are substantially stronger........
This last picture shows a mostly completed new step. It's made from several different angle materials and extrusions, along with some of the leftover floorboard material that we used in the back of the B-29 during it's most recent work project. I've since finished this step and am moving on to the other two that will go into the door assembly....
It's going to look like hell, but at this point, I've just got to get this stinkin' airplane finished. Just last night, I had four calls within a half an hour from people who've not lifted a freakin' finger to help with this project, asking if I'd have the airplane finished in time for them to fly next weekend. I understand their curiosity, but do you realize how freakin' frustrating it is to be asked that question over and over and over and over?
Okay, rant over...back to work.
Gary
Fri Jul 06, 2007 7:46 am
Gary,
Just had a look at your pictures and I wondered if you had thought about using coach bolts (not sure if you call them something different!) or dome heads,to hold the wood in place on the step. Those hex head bolts look as though they are sitting a little proud and might be a bit slippy if folks have wet and or oily feet. I would hate you to be on the end of a writ ,because someone slipped or tripped on a bolt head.
Also what about some grip tape to give folks a good purchase on the step?
Of course you might have already thought of that and these ar just work in progress shots !
All the best.
Alan
Just had a look at your pictures and I wondered if you had thought about using coach bolts (not sure if you call them something different!) or dome heads,to hold the wood in place on the step. Those hex head bolts look as though they are sitting a little proud and might be a bit slippy if folks have wet and or oily feet. I would hate you to be on the end of a writ ,because someone slipped or tripped on a bolt head.
Also what about some grip tape to give folks a good purchase on the step?
Of course you might have already thought of that and these ar just work in progress shots !
All the best.
Alan
Fri Jul 06, 2007 8:19 am
Alan,
I grew up on a farm in Nebraska, and we used "carriage bolts" on equipment and building projects. When I saw your reference to "coach bolts" I knew exactly what you meant!
I guess our two languages are really quite similar after all!!
Scott
I grew up on a farm in Nebraska, and we used "carriage bolts" on equipment and building projects. When I saw your reference to "coach bolts" I knew exactly what you meant!
I guess our two languages are really quite similar after all!!
Scott
Fri Jul 06, 2007 9:25 am
In reference to the bolts...yes, I know they look like sh*t (not that you were implying that, but I know it looks that way nonetheless), yes, some other type of bolt could've been used, and yes, it's currently slippery. However, I'm not done with the project, and the steps, bolts and all, will have wing walk compound painted on them so that it'll be all "grippy" for our guests' feet.
Gary
Gary
Garys famous!!
Fri Jul 06, 2007 9:52 am
Gary I just read the excellent write up about you in warbirds magazine. It was a very well done article and covers your efforts and those of the nose artists also. She sure is a different bird now!
Fri Jul 06, 2007 12:48 pm
Gary, if they're in such an all-fired darn hurry to fly the aircraft, tell them to carry their sorry butts down there and help you FINISH IT. 
I guess I just don't have the patience to put up with that kind of crap... you just keep on keepin' on, you're doing a fantastic job, and there will be THOUSANDS of people who appreciate all the hard work you've put into this thing.
Lynn
I guess I just don't have the patience to put up with that kind of crap... you just keep on keepin' on, you're doing a fantastic job, and there will be THOUSANDS of people who appreciate all the hard work you've put into this thing.
Lynn
Fri Jul 06, 2007 1:38 pm
lmritger wrote:Gary, if they're in such an all-fired darn hurry to fly the aircraft, tell them to carry their sorry butts down there and help you FINISH IT.
That approach apparently doesn't work. I've been trying that since late October.
lmritger wrote:I guess I just don't have the patience to put up with that kind of crap... you just keep on keepin' on, you're doing a fantastic job, and there will be THOUSANDS of people who appreciate all the hard work you've put into this thing.
Lynn
Thanks Lynn. I don't really have the patience for it either. The folks that I do work with can attest to that. You cannot imagine how much tact I've learned with this job and how I don't necessarily speak my mind like I used to. I'm sure it's all going to work itself out though. Our spattering of few, but extremely helpful volunteers, along with myself, will get the airplane done. The big thing is that it's done safely. I just don't want to see anyone get hurt because of someone pressuring me to hurry up...sooooo, I'll just keep plugging away and if it's not done in time, it's not done in time. Period.
Oh, and I'm anxious for folks outside of the CAF to see the airplane as well. The majority of people that have seen it have been complimentary, although there have been quite a few comments from others that aren't at all happy that we've completely gotten rid of "Diamond Lil." Oh well, you can't keep everyone happy, I reckon. Sometimes change is good, other times it's not. I reckon time will tell if all of this work has been worth it, huh?
Gary
Fri Jul 06, 2007 3:30 pm
retroaviation wrote:In reference to the bolts...yes, I know they look like sh*t (not that you were implying that, but I know it looks that way nonetheless), yes, some other type of bolt could've been used, and yes, it's currently slippery. However, I'm not done with the project, and the steps, bolts and all, will have wing walk compound painted on them so that it'll be all "grippy" for our guests' feet.
Gary
Your right, I wasn't implying that !
I just thought I would mention it.
And you are quite right, if it is not ready then it doesn't go anywhere,those folks who are pushing should have got of their a .... and helped you out.
Nearly there...!
Cheers, Alan
Fri Jul 06, 2007 3:44 pm
Just finished the second step on the door moments ago. One more to build and that'll be all of the steps. I just don't feel like doing anything but going home and laying down right now though. I'll tackle that last step in the morning. We're getting there, slow but sure.
Gary
Gary
Fri Jul 06, 2007 3:59 pm
Hang in there Gary. You're so close! 
Fri Jul 06, 2007 6:53 pm
retroaviation wrote:Just last night, I had four calls within a half an hour from people who've not lifted a freakin' finger to help with this project, asking if I'd have the airplane finished in time for them to fly next weekend. I understand their curiosity, but do you realize how freakin' frustrating it is to be asked that question over and over and over and over?
Gary, I don’t know if it’s any consolation, but I’ve seen this type of thing happen before in several organizations including the CAF. When a core group of talented people are tackling a project it lulls everyone else into complacency. But when airshow season rolls around, watch out! The dynamics never change, so don’t take it personally.
I’m involved in several privately owned projects these days, so I get the question “When’s it gonna fly?” on a regular basis. Folks mean well, but it becomes like the punch line to a joke you’ve heard over and over. We just plug away as the free time from our day jobs allow.
You’ve heard of a “Cuss Jar”? I think I’m going to put a “Whenzitgonnafly Jar” on top of the fridge in the hangar for our beer and soda pop fund, LOL.