Warbird Information Exchange

I have been quite pleased with the responses I've recieved with the past Harpoon entries...Thank you all..........First off, I have been reading in the PV-2 erection manual, that when working on the landing gear, it is mentioned to install "stiff knees"..I know that this is to prevent accidental retraction or collapse of the gear, but there is no illustration of what they ( stiff knees) look like, or exactly where they are installed at on the PV-2. And, there is even mention of this item for the tail gear...I really don't want to get somebody, or myself hurt, so I humbly request enlightenment from the great minds in WIX land.......Secondly, in a more historical tone, anybody know of any Army PV-2's...I believe the Army's versions were called the B-34 and the B-37....correct me if I am amiss.....I would be interested in documenting the s/n's of these aircraft. I have also been led to believe that the Army versions had the Wright R-2600 engines installed on their aircraft.....Sleepless in Lone Jack, Mo.

As far as I know the Army never used the PV-2. I am always afraid to definitively make a statement like that because it aways seems there is invariably an exception but I don't think there is any historical evidence that indicates they were used by the Army or Air Force.

The B-34 and B-37 were actually Army versions of the PV-1 Ventura. I'd have to check my references, but I think the B-34 was a straight-up PV-1, while the B-37 had Wright R-2600 engines.

SN

Thanks for the replys......I don't know myself.....I can understand those being the designations for the PV-1......I talked to an ex-tanker pilot in Glendive , Mt.......He told me that when he did his FAA check-out, it was in a PV-2 Harpoon, but his license was signed off as type rated in B-34??? Is this because of the similarities? I know that my PP license, I was authorised to pilot ASEL under x-amount of weight, I could fly similar a/c, like the Tomahawk, Cherokee 140, etc....Same with PV-1...PV-2? I don't know the rules with Hi-performance a/c......Gary

By the way.....if anybody had any pictures or references to pictures of the R-2600 in a PV-1 or -2, It would be interesting....I am courious as to the performance specs on the Wright powered a/c.......Gary

Hi again Gary,

I used to volunteer on the former CAF Wisconsin Wing PV-2D. Although I never worked specifically on the gear, I am 99% sure a rig was used to pin the gear in place. I can't tell you whether they used a pattern or came up with their own device, but they were always good with documenting progress with photos. I'd give 'em a jingle. 262-547-1775

I'd also think John Lane might have an idea what "stiff knees" might be like.

_________________
It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

There was supposed to be a B-37 show up for a local airhow last October at New Braunfels Texas but was a no show. It is Houston I beleive and they had a web site IIRC but it no showed. Like most of you I had never heard of one (B-34 yes, but) so was really waiting to see it. Maybe this year.

The Army version was indeed the B-34 Lexington (also known as the RB-34). It was deemed to slow and vulnerable and was replaced by the B-37 with two 1,700 h.p. Wright R2600-13. The PV-1 Ventura was much faster with 2 P & W R2800's rated at 2,000 h.p. each.
The Army never used the PV-2 Harpoon which used P & W R2800-31's. It had a somewhat slower speed than the PV-1, but was able to carry more ordinance and was a much stabler aircraft on take-off and landing.



PJ

Gary: A "stiff knee" is slang for an external gear lock. I'm not familiar with the retract system on the PV-2, so I'm winging it a bit. Look in the maintenance manual and you should find a picture of the locks. Basically, the purpose is to mechanically lock the retract mechanism so that the gear cannot be retracted. If the system is like most, you can cover the folding drag link with a long "C" channel and clamp or pin it so that the link can't fold. I've got a plane captian's manual for the PV-2 somewhere and I'll see if I can find it.

Craig C.

Dan and PJ, thanks for the input....I found a cool site that has a lot of info on mostly Howard conversions, but there is some good info on some of the PV-1 and -2's.....worth a visit...http://homepage.ntlworld.com/m.zoeller/Lodestar.htm Creig, I guess I need to order the parts manual about now! The AN 01-55ED-2 Erection and maintenance manual I have shows all kinds of tools needed for almost everything but the gear locks! You wouldn't happen to be around the Gainsville,Tx area would you? I saw some large prop type a/c on the NNE side of the field a while back....Pretty sure there was a DC-3/C-47 or two, but looked like a few others I could not tell, was getting late. Thanks...Gary

Gary,
gainsville Texas is where my dad has his collection of "stuff". He has 4 Dc-3's, 3 Convairs, The last Carvair and a Lodestar. Not all are his, he has a 135 freight bus with the '3's. the Lodestar is the one from the H&P auction last year, they have done a huge amount of work on it, and it is for sale. the Carvair is "Fat Annie" that used to be based at Sherman Dennison.
I almost bought a PV-2 last month, ex firbomber ferriable. Got cold feet at the last moment, dont really have anywhere to put one, but the coolness factor is way up there!
Simon

_________________
"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few"

Hey Simon, thanks for the info.....I understand the Lodestar is owned by somebody from Ca.....I have some friends in OK,, that told me about a Lodestar buzzing them on the golf course a few miles west of Tulsa, same one????!! Where is the PV-2 located that you were looking at? I know of several that are for sale at this time.....at least you would have a great place to work on one if you do buy an aircraft.....Thanks for the info!...Gary

Gary,
If get up to the Idaho area, that is where a good amount of the engines and cylinders went from the auction. Some engine shop up that way who I don't know.
Scott......

Thanks Scott....I've heard of a lot going to Cali. as well...............I am going to get to Idaho sometime soon...Gary

Is it just me, or does any one else giggle at the title of this thread... Sorry Gary

_________________
Never drive faster than your Guardian Angel can fly!!

http://www.390th.org/
www.LSFM.org

Trae