Warbird Information Exchange

We call those folks, "Kodak Colonels."

Not that I'm implying that we have any of those in our ranks though.

Gary

it was built for a local billy cart race,but the organises would lte the team enter when the found out that the driver was almost 80 years old he is a former raaf b24 pilot

Just a very quick update for y'all...

I have finished the fabrication of the stinkin' entry door and have started the painting process. I hope to be completely finished with it either today or tomorrow. Pictures to follow.

Some of the Squadron members are slowly starting to trickle in for this weekend's groundschool and test flights. I'm trying to keep them busy so that I can keep my mind clear and focus on any last minute items that pop up or that I've forgotten. This is going to be a frustrating week for me, I'm sure. But we're close.

Gary

Gary, we are thinking about you and praying for your sanity during this last phase of your great work this year on the airplane.

Thanks for letting us in!

_________________
Zane Adams
There I was at 20,000 ft, upside down and out of ammunition.
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Well, while I'm waiting on paint to dry, I figured I'd post a couple of pictures of the door. This first one is when it was pretty much complete, minus a few little support brackets.....




I now have the door finished and painted. Here's the outside of it (keep in mind that the paint should match better once it's cured)......




I've got a few more details to paint on the inside of the door, in particular the steps. I'll get y'all a picture of that later.

Gary

Excellent work Gary!! If it wasn't for the handle, you'd have a hard time even knowing there was a door there.

Yeah, I was going to hide the handle, but I need it to stand out so that rescuers can find the door in case of emergency. I'll likely also put a "Rescue" decal next to it.

I just finished with everything I can do with that stinkin' door for now. All that remains is for the upholstery guy to make some chain covers and for me to find, purchase, and install another door snubber. The one I have (originally for a King Air) works well, but just isn't enough for the size/weight of this door. A second one will hopefully cushion the "fall" of the door better when dropped......because we all know some knucklehead IS going to drop that door.

In the process of outlining the steps with some high visibility paint, I was wanting to do a much better job than I did, but I just don't have the time and frankly, just don't care at this point. I tried to tape off the steps, but the tape wouldn't stick to the fresh wing walk compound that I applied this morning and the bolt heads holding the steps on were cantakerous to deal with. So, I just said the heck with it (or words that may have been a tad harsher), and just did it by hand.........




It looks like a pre-schooler did the paint work on this door, but I just don't care. I'm just hoping that it holds up to the high traffic that'll be going through it.



I think I'm going to go home for the day.

Gary

It took me a second to see the door! Looks great.

Tim

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www.tailhookstudio.com

Looks Great! That door really blends in doesn't it.

_________________
"So there I was, knee deep in a river I couldn't pronounce..."

Gary, I am continually amazed by your resourcefulness. You are one of the few I have observed that has the skills AND the work ethic all rolled into one! Fantastic work.

The CAF shoud certainly give you an honorary award for what you have personally accomplished.

I think we should all write the CAF and tell them how much we appreciate what you and your team have done for this plane and how much we feel it will benefit the CAF mission.

Gary,

I noticed you added an extension to the bottom of the door to cover up the gap between the door and the top of the opening because you are waiting until next year to open up the left side waist gunner’s station, my question is what are you plans regarding that station, if you do not mind me asking? I was wondering what your thoughts were on the waistgunners door for that side.

On another note I had an idea on the radio operator’s station. I know you put in the seats for people to strap in on the rides instead of the radio equipment but looking at it I had the idea that you could put the seats against the right (if your looking at the compartment) side and have the table and radio equipment I have seen in the pictures you posted installed on the left side. Just an idea for next year but I figured it would move the plane closer to looking original.

You are doing a tremendous job and I can not wait to see the plane in person!

Marc

Tim, Junkyard, BDK, and anyone else I may have missed...thanks for the kind words. However, the door isn't that nice. It's kind of cobbled up and really looks like heck up close, in person. But I'll take the compliments anyway.

Marc, thanks for your suggestions. My plans for the left waistgunner's position is to indeed install it there someday. I would basically have to do the same that I did for the right side, only with a few additional modifications due to the old transport door location. Shouldn't be that big of a deal, all things considered.

Your idea on the radio operator's compartment is interesting, however, there are a couple of reasons we wouldn't be able to do what you suggested. The first is that even with the seats in their current position (seatbacks in the center), there is VERY little head room. I've already been hearing the complaints about that. If we put the seats against the right wall, then there would be no way anyone could comfortably sit up there. The other reason we couldn't do what's suggested, is that if we put the radios on one side, it would take away a set of seats that we need for paying passengers. We simply cannot afford to do that. Plus, you've got to remember, the seating arrangement that I have in there IS an original option that Consolidated used from time to time. So, even though there are no radios there right now, it's still reasonably in original configuration. But again, thank you for your suggestions. It shows you're paying attention.

Gary

Hey Gary,

Had you guys ever considered "fauxing" the Waisting gunner's door and window on the Port side with paint?

You obiviously know a few good painters that could pull it off.

Shay
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Semper Fortis

Thought about it. Even considered putting a window in place. However, I'm too lazy to do the paint work and there's too much junk (structure) in the way to do the window without making it a big project. Besides, when that stupid lookin' entry door is open for the public, it takes up about 10" of area that would normally be the bottom of the waistgunner's position. Fakie windows and paint would look out of place when the door was open.

Again, good thought though. Y'all's attention to those kind of details is partially what's been making me try so hard to make this thing right.

Okay, I'm really going home this time. I'll surely report in with y'all tomorrow.

Gary

"The other reason we couldn't do what's suggested, is that if we put the radios on one side, it would take away a set of seats that we need for paying passengers. "

Gary,

Thanks for the quick reply. I kind of figured that was your reasoning for making those chairs. But I also had another idea and I got this from that “other” B-24 that flies around. I was looking at some pictures of the interior of their plane and I saw that when they fly passengers they do not sit on seats but instead sit on a crossmember at runs the length of the wall between the bomb bay and the rear compartment and simply have lap belts that are bolted to the aforementioned crossmember. So what if we bolted lap belts to the tops of those big storage bins you have that are between the radio operator’s room and the waist gunner’s area? I know it would not be comfortable but it is a bomber not an airliner. That way you could free up the operators area for all the radio equipment. It is just an idea but one that might work out for next year.

Also, speaking of seats, what is the plan for the seats in the front of the bomb bay once the doors are installed?

One more question, what accessories are you going to scatter throughout the airplane? My dad is always asking me about those oxygen bottles he stripped the paint off.

Once again great work on the plane!

Marc