Gary, what are they doing to the 24!

kzollitsch · **Posted:** Thu Aug 09, 2007 8:44 pm

I went out to Batavia this evening with my father to take a look at the CAF B-24. We know the pilot, Pete, who usually flys the B-24 or B-29 when they're in this area so he invited us out there for a tour. We arrived shortly after they took off. It was less than an ideal time for taking pictures but I shot few anyways.

After they landed we spoke with Pete. I guess a panel had fallen off sometime during one of their flights and they made up a replacement piece and got it on there today. Since they're heading out tomorrow for the Niagara Falls Airshow they quickly got to work with the degreaser and semi-gloss black spray cans.

Pete's wife Tina doing some of the degreasing.

Pete repainting the panel

Looks like it'll turn out pretty good. I suppose it'll be covered in oil soon enough so it won't really matter that much.

Gary the plane looks great!! Outstanding job and it was such a difference from the last time I saw it a few years back.

Ken

APG85 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 10, 2007 7:00 am

That's a pretty BIG panel to fall off!

TAdan · **Posted:** Fri Aug 10, 2007 7:28 am

Great pictures of 927.

I can just imagine the conversation... Sorta like a kid that snuck dads car out of the garage...

"Co-pilot: Oh man I cant believe that panel fell off...Gary's gonna kill us..."

"Pilot: Wait I've got an idea...hehehe (sheet metal & paint)...looks good as new right!? We wont get caught now...hey whos that guy with the camera... :shock:

"

Tigercat · **Joined:** Mon Jun 20, 2005 11:54 am **Posts:** 288

I think I would have taken a few extra minutes to mask off the surrounding sheet metal before I whipped out the rattle can.

That way it would have looked a bit more professional and been easier to paint permanently after air show season.

PS......Maybe a little primer should have been applied too.

Nathan · **Posted:** Fri Aug 10, 2007 12:54 pm

ahum, that paint will probably be off by next flight... :lol:

hang the expense · **Posted:** Fri Aug 10, 2007 9:22 pm

Years ago, we painted tallichets "belle" on the ramp at Chino.She was looking pretty tired so on the weekend(our time) we gave her hell.Turned out rather nice.Head of operations raised hell about painting all the leading edges of the cowling,Saying it would look too new.We informed the fat guy that during the first flight it was going to come off so not to worry.Looking at her today she really needs a paint job and back to the 100th BG imo. The 24 looks fantasic by the way.Great job and what an improvement.

retroaviation · **Posted:** Mon Aug 13, 2007 10:16 am

Yeah, I couldn't be more embarrassed about sh*t falliing off the airplane. They're also having problems with the entry door, but Dave Miller has been working on it and hopefully it won't fall off either. :roll:

I don't know what else to say. It's just embarrassing.

Gary

Former Member · **Joined:** Mon Aug 29, 2005 1:40 pm **Posts:** 1493

retroaviation wrote:

They're also having problems with the entry door, but Dave Miller has been working on it and hopefully it won't fall off either. :roll:

Gary,

Is it from the weight of all those people getting on and off for tours of the aircraft?

John

retroaviation · **Posted:** Mon Aug 13, 2007 11:44 am

jpeters wrote:

Gary,
Is it from the weight of all those people getting on and off for tours of the aircraft?
John

Yes, and the fact that it was junk to start with.

Gary

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Gary, what are they doing to the 24!

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