|
All,
I just got home from ND and we had a big day. John Beyl, Mark Tisler, and the rest of the Red Tail Rivet drilling and pounding crew hung the engine in the Red Tail today! This will allow us to finish up the firewall forward, install the coolant pipes and finish up the doghouse and the aft duct while they assemble the wing up in Kindred.
The airplane is progressing wonderfully and looks GREAT!!!! I will leave the full update up to John, he does a great job of keeping you all informed.
We totalled up $$$ and we are going to need a little more money than I figured, and while it will keep us hustling to raise funds, but I don't anticipate it slowing our progress. We have a nationwide direct mail program underway that many of you may receive. If you do, please consider sharing some $$ with us if you can. If you don't get the direct mail piece you can always visit our website and push the "donate" button. Either one works and we appreciate all the donations and support we have received so far.
The nationwide showing of Red Tail Reborn has dramatically increased our web traffic and we have national credibility that should help us in all areas of our fund-raising.
The work has progressed to a point where the airplane has a seat in it. I climbed in the seat and sat down. I put my feet on the rudder pedals and my hand fell on the throttle. The last time I sat in the airplane was the night before the accident. I flew it and gave Brad Lang, son of a Tuskegee Airmen, his first ride. Brad is next in line to fly the airplane. How cool will that be when the son of an Original Tuskegee Airmen is flying a Red Tail Mustang?????
It was incredible. Sitting in the airplane, memories and feelings were flooding my mind. It was a overwhelming and it made me realize how close we are to flying again. That will be a great day!!!!!
As a side note, the crew at Tri-State has recently completed the tooling for nearly all the -A,B,C ribs and has made a few sets. These parts set a new standard. They are absolutely beautiful parts. It is nearly a shame to put skin on them and cover them up.
Anyone concerned that the folks at Tri-State are not up to big challenges since Beck's passing need only look at this tooling and the parts they have made on their own to realize Gerry left, not only the ability to build parts behind, he left the knowledge to develop new ones when needed.
It was a GREAT weekend. Thanks to all the Red Tail Volunteers and Tri-state employees that come volunteer off the clock to help us on work weekends. Our goal of flying next spring continues to look realistic. Yes John, you guys can do it!!
Tailwinds,
Doug Rozendaal
Red Tail Project Leader
Dougr(a)petroblend.com
Our wish list is getting short. Most of these items are available. Some are cheap, some expensive. If anyone has any of these parts, or anything else we might use for trading stock that you would be willing to donate, or sell us some good used stuff instead of having to buy the new stuff, let John Beyl, Mark Tisler, or myself know.
Coolant and Oil pipes
-B/C inner gear door skins
-B/C LH spade door
Fuel Cells
induction trunk and elbow
L&R exhaust shrouds
6 RH exhaust stacks
RH top cowl
and any B/C cowl formers
any scoop parts
Spinner and Backplate
Seat Belts
Tires
Header Tank Straps
_________________
Tailwinds,
Doug Rozendaal
|
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
