Gary ~ What's The Plan For Diamond Lil ? 2006 and Beyond!

sgt hawk · **Posted:** Sat Nov 03, 2007 12:49 am

Gary,
I joined this sight in utter fascination for this particular thread. Those of us who love these old birds usually get our insights into the mechanics, work and reconstructs, from magazines, news or newspaper articles or books. But never the meat and potatoes stuff like this. It's an ongoing saga. We now understand the effort it takes to keep these things in the air.Your work on this old "Beast" has been an inspiration. I remember seeing "Lil" at Peachtree/Dekalb back in the 90's with the B-17 "Sentimental Journey" and I remember that I overheard the comment "Oh, that was a transport and it never flew out of Lybia like shes painted". It stuck with me. But now! She looks like what she was meant to be. Thank you very much for what you do.
Oh, by the way, I don't tell people I'm fat, "I'm just pushin more than I'm Haulin". And "OL Skeeter", he's a lot like the Baptist-"you know he's up to somethin, but you just cain't catch him at it".

retroaviation · **Posted:** Sat Nov 03, 2007 6:52 am

Thanks for the kind words, sgt hawk. I was starting to wonder if anyone was reading these updates anymore, so I appreciate you taking the time to post something here.

The new (overhauled) #3 engine is hanging on the airplane now. I've just got the typical connections and installations to make to get it ready to run. The worst part is going to be the reinstallation of the stinkin' cowl flap ring, but I'll get it knocked out.

B-29/B-24 Squadron member, John Flynn, came down several days ago to help and quite frankly, he's been the one to do the majority of work on this particular project. I had a busy week with some clerical items and such, so having John here has really been nice. He's leaving today, so I'll be back after it on my own again. I'm hoping to have the airplane running on Monday or Tuesday at the latest.

Gary

Rod Schneider · **Posted:** Sat Nov 03, 2007 9:32 am

Gary, Let me add that I also enjoy these updates!! I work on commercial airliners for a living and I love seeing the pictures of the work on the warbirds. It's too bad I don't live anywhere near you, or I'd probably spend most of my awake, non-working hours, getting my hands very dirty

sgt hawk · **Posted:** Sat Nov 03, 2007 1:19 pm

Gary, Removig the fan on #3 and draining the oil, I know that airplane drinks oil like a 70's Ford Bronco does Gas. But what do you do with the drained oil? Do you recycle it? Whith the amounts being used it's got to cost some $$ to top that thing off. And what kind do you use and do you buy it by the drum?
Greg Hawkins
Woodstock, Ga

Ztex · **Posted:** Sat Nov 03, 2007 2:45 pm

Gary...to answer your question...YES! your updates are read....I am waiting for more pics of the engine removal and install process....

It will be a slow winter if we don't have our Gary Austin updates....

retroaviation · **Posted:** Sat Nov 03, 2007 4:13 pm

sgt hawk...I just take the used oil and either dump it down the sewer drain or just pour it out on the ground around the hangar to kill the weeds. :shock:

Okay, not really. We have a oil recycling service come by from time to time to reclaim the oil from us.

We don't really consume as much oil with these engines as you might think. Typically, we plan on less than a gallon an hour with these cute little R-1830s (the "dirty-three-filthys" on the B-29 were a whole other issue though :roll:

), but this #3 engine was in the 3-4 gallon per hour range. It was telling us it wasn't happy, so that was one of the reasons for changing it now. We use Aeroshell 120 (non-detergent, 60 wt.) oil.

Ztex...Well, you're likely gonna be mad at me, but I just kinda quit taking pictures of the remainder of the removal of the engine and the subsequent installation. It just didn't seem like this was very interesting to folks (due to lack of responses/questions), so I just haven't taken the time for the updates...........they do take up a lot of time, you know.

I don't mind posting the updates, and as a matter of fact, I rather enjoy filling everyone in on how we keep these ol' clunkers flying. So I'm sorry that I didn't do so well on this engine swap. I'll see about doing a better job of keeping the updates coming during the winter maintenance session.

Gary

wardie · **Posted:** Sat Nov 03, 2007 5:34 pm

Gary, be assured that your posts are read. Each time I come to WIX (at least 2 times a day) I will read your posts as a priority.

Please keep them coming.

Wardie

Ztex · **Posted:** Sat Nov 03, 2007 7:01 pm

Gary,

Well....I can't be mad at you...maybe a little disappointed (does that sound too much like a woman? :roll:

)

I have seen an engine swap on a few birds, DC-3, B-17 and HE-111, from upclose and I know I wouldn't want to pick up my camera every few minutes with those hands...

Keep up the good work and again, thanks a bunch for letting us into your world.

Z

JDK · **Posted:** Sat Nov 03, 2007 7:42 pm

retroaviation wrote:

Thanks for the kind words, sgt hawk. I was starting to wonder if anyone was reading these updates anymore, so I appreciate you taking the time to post something here.

Checking in! - yes, I was looking at the updates, and I know how much time they take. Gary you get major points for your efforts to communicate with us all. Gotta be a top real ambassador for the CAF.

rwdfresno · **Posted:** Sat Nov 03, 2007 11:06 pm

Quote:

Gotta be a top real ambassador for the CAF.

Does that come with diplomatic immunity? :lol:

b17engineer · **Posted:** Sun Nov 04, 2007 5:56 am

Gary,

Overall, I don't post very often on any of the posts, but I do read them at least every day, and some, including this one and the one on the PBJ I look at more than once per day on a avaerage. Please keep the updates coming. They really make me think I am keeping up with what's going on.

RICK

JDK · **Posted:** Sun Nov 04, 2007 6:50 am

rwdfresno wrote:

Quote:

Gotta be a top real ambassador for the CAF.

Does that come with diplomatic immunity? :lol:

Very good.

dred · **Joined:** Sat May 05, 2007 11:26 pm **Posts:** 154

Hi Gary,

I don't post often, but I check this thread almost every day. I've enjoyed every one of your updates, thank you for taking the time to do them. Because I knew the Ol' 927 story, it was my first stop at Oshkosh this year. It was great to crawl through her and admire all of your work!

CAPFlyer · **Posted:** Sun Nov 04, 2007 9:05 am

I definitely read the updates whever you post them Gary. I can only hope what you and Dan have started here will spread to other CAF wings and other orginizations to that more information and interest will be generated in our airplanes because then there will be more people wanting to see what's been done over the winter when they go out again next spring.

bomberflight · **Posted:** Sun Nov 04, 2007 11:19 am

Gary ~ your posts are aways appreciated. I try and check this tread every day :drink3:

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Gary ~ What's The Plan For Diamond Lil ? 2006 and Beyond!

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