PB4Y-2 to Fly

[planeoldsteve]

the biggest reason not for restoring a 4Y back with the original engines is the cost. The version of the 1830 the 4Y had is a rare engine and hence expensive. The R-2600 was much cheaper.

Matt

Do you think the 4Y would look better with the R2600 cowlings off of a TBM with the scoops on the top and bottom?

Steve

[Rogue]

Anyone know if the paint scheme will be during ww2 or postwar? I hope its tri-color wartime.

I like tri-color too, as long as its correct. Not like that god aweful Hellcat scheme.

Are original cowlings still around?

[mustangdriver]

Tri color scheme would look great, along with some cool pin up.

[Matt Gunsch]

the biggest reason not for restoring a 4Y back with the original engines is the cost. The version of the 1830 the 4Y had is a rare engine and hence expensive. The R-2600 was much cheaper.

Matt

Do you think the 4Y would look better with the R2600 cowlings off of a TBM with the scoops on the top and bottom?

Steve

Steve, I don't think you could do at as the TBM cowl is much deeper than the 4Ys 1830 cowls. There were plenty of 4Y cowls in Greybull, and I am sure they could run a lower HP rated 1830 than they did while in the service as they are being flown at a much lower weight.

[Steve Nelson]

I'd love to see a Privateer rebuilt with the original engines, but of course it's more than just engine cores and sheet metal. From what I understand, the H&P birds had completely new nacelles constructed. The make them original you'd have to do the same..new nacelles, firewalls, engine mounts, systems, etc. Not to mention new props. I'm no mechanic, but it sounds like a pretty daunting project to me.

Speaking of paint jobs, I hate to be critical, but does anyone know what's up with the paint on the Yankee Air Museum's Privateer. As far as I know no PB4Y was ever painted Blue Angel blue over light gray.


SN

[Nathan]

I'd love to see a Privateer rebuilt with the original engines, but of course it's more than just engine cores and sheet metal. From what I understand, the H&P birds had completely new nacelles constructed. The make them original you'd have to do the same..new nacelles, firewalls, engine mounts, systems, etc. Not to mention new props. I'm no mechanic, but it sounds like a pretty daunting project to me.

Speaking of paint jobs, I hate to be critical, but does anyone know what's up with the paint on the Yankee Air Museum's Privateer. As far as I know no PB4Y was ever painted Blue Angel blue over light gray.


SN

That blue just doesn't look right. I hope they correct it.

[mustangdriver]

I am pretty sure that they are trying to get some paint on it, to cover the metal. I love the PB4Y series of aircraft.

[APG85]

Maybe they went with the super dark blue anticipating it fading over time...

[Django]

I'd love to see it flying in the tri color scheme.

[Steve Nelson]

Sadly, I doubt the Yankee Privateer will ever fly again. They've done an amazing job just getting here into static display condition. When she arrvied, she was in several peices and in decidedly poor shape. She'd endured a crash landing that ripped at least one of the mains out, then sat abandonded being picked over by souvenier hunters for a number of years, the was cut up with power saws. I hate to complain about something as trivial as paint, but it seems like after all the work they've put in on her they'd at least use the right colors.

SN

[Warbird Kid]

There still must be a way to be able to have the bomber fly again. From what I've been told, the wing spar is cut up and therefore unflyable. But you couldnt reconstruct a wing spar?

But money of course is an issue. This is strictly "if there was a lot of cash" scenario.

[Steve Nelson]

Not just the spar..the fuselage was mercilessly hacked into three sections for rail transport. Museum volunteers spliced it back together, but to be a flyer most of the internal fuselage structure would need to be replaced. Plus, she's been sitting outdoors for most of the last 30 years or so, meaning there must be corrosion issues. I'm just glad she still exists at all.

Like you said, getting her to fly would be a matter of $$$, and the museum is currently devoting most of its limited resources to keeping the flying birds in the air, and trying to raise funds to build a new facility.

SN

[Warbird Kid]

Sigh. maybe one day down the road. But i hear they would rather have a B-24 instead on the count of they were built there. Kinda like the Corsair around these parts.

Maybe they'll be the first group to convert a Privateer into a Liberator?

[Steve Nelson]

I understand the museum was originally formed in the late '70s with the specific goal of acquring, restoring, and flying a Willow Run built Lib. Unfortunately, there simply aren't any available. The last one they might have been able to get ahold of was the old B-24M that used to sit outdoors at Lackland AFB. That aircraft is now in the American Air Musuem in England. The rest of the remaining Ford built B-24s are in various other museums. I've always thought it might be cool if one turned up on the bottom of one of the Great Lakes.

SN

[Warbird Kid]

Is there a possibility? I mean, does anyone out there have any records of downed B-24's that are in the Great Lakes area?

IMAGINE: the buzz, if a complete Willow Run Liberator was found sittin pretty on the lake bottom. It would take the warbird world by storm!


Ooops, new dream.