Dave~What's the plan for FIFI?

[engguy]

Hmmm another one broke. So back to the cam being the cause, as I first thought. I figured the extra side loading would do that, maybe some more are cracked or show some distress? Are those guides steel?

[AndyG]

Then loosen the lock screw that holds the valve adjustment screw. Once loose, you back off the valve adustment screw all the way. 18 of those too!

That looks remarkably like a flat bladed screwdriver being employed to back off those beautiful cap head tappet screws! Or is this a special tool made up for the task?

[B29B24crewchief]

[quote="engguy"]Hmmm another one broke. So back to the cam being the cause, as I first thought. I figured the extra side loading would do that, maybe some more are cracked or show some distress? Are those guides steel?[/quote

Yes the guides appear to be steel but I didn't check them with a magnet.

I didn't completely remove the rest of them to check them more closely. I only pulled them out enough to get the rollers to clear the cam.
Dave]

[B29B24crewchief]

Yes that is a flat bladed screw driver I used to back them off. There was little if any tension on them, I could have probably turned them out with my fingers if I could get ahold on them. Trust me, I would never use that for adjusting or if I thought they would be damaged in any way.
Dave

Then loosen the lock screw that holds the valve adjustment screw. Once loose, you back off the valve adustment screw all the way. 18 of those too!

That looks remarkably like a flat bladed screwdriver being employed to back off those beautiful cap head tappet screws! Or is this a special tool made up for the task?

[ArtS]

Very cool thread!

Dave and Gary, do you still need the Connie 749 collector rings? Have you contacted Ralph M. Pettersen of www.conniesurvivors.com to see if he has any leads?

Some of the sources that may be fruitful are:
- Vern Raburn, former owner of the MATS Connie (which I suspect is a lead you already followed)
- The remains of N6011C in Columbia ( http://www.conniesurvivors.com/N6011C.htm ). This 749 that was broken up and, as far as I can recall, all of the bits, including engines were carefully cataloged and stored. Some of the engines and associated parts have been sold to the Netherlands but it may be a useful lead.
- Dutch Aviodrome Museum ( http://www.conniesurvivors.com/N749NL.htm ) - they have been gathering spare engines, maybe they have also picked up spare exhausts.

I'm not sure if early 1049's (Super Constellations) had turbo-compounds, if they didn't, there may be a lot of other sources for the rings.

I hope this helps,

Art S.

[engguy]

What do these last pic's show? It looks like part of the valve cover is still stuck to the surface? Or just tricks on the eye?

[b29flteng]

Gasket.

[viking73]

I just wanted to add my $.02 to this thread. I was out in west Texas visiting my in-laws for the holidays. I needed a break so I jumped in the car and headed west for Midland since I hadn't been to headquarters in about 5 years.

Here's a few shots of FiFi (I've got more of the other a/c from there but didn't want to get off topic) and Dave and Nolan, hard at it. The piston engine is an amazing machine. It was a pleasure to meet you Dave, sorry I missed you Gary. I sure wish I lived closer to Midland to lend a hand...

-Derek

[B29B24crewchief]

Very cool thread!

Dave and Gary, do you still need the Connie 749 collector rings? Have you contacted Ralph M. Pettersen of www.conniesurvivors.com to see if he has any leads?

Some of the sources that may be fruitful are:
- Vern Raburn, former owner of the MATS Connie (which I suspect is a lead you already followed)
- The remains of N6011C in Columbia ( http://www.conniesurvivors.com/N6011C.htm ). This 749 that was broken up and, as far as I can recall, all of the bits, including engines were carefully cataloged and stored. Some of the engines and associated parts have been sold to the Netherlands but it may be a useful lead.
- Dutch Aviodrome Museum ( http://www.conniesurvivors.com/N749NL.htm ) - they have been gathering spare engines, maybe they have also picked up spare exhausts.

I'm not sure if early 1049's (Super Constellations) had turbo-compounds, if they didn't, there may be a lot of other sources for the rings.

I hope this helps,

Art S.

Many thanks for the info. I'll followup on them!
Dave

[B29B24crewchief]

Saturday was a beautiful day here in Midland! We got FIFI outside and the Midland Fire Department needed some practice with there equipment, so she got a bath. After that we got her turned around and back inside.

[TAdan]

That is pretty cool Dave.

[CAPFlyer]

I know at DEN the airlines all wanted their planes to be subject to "Fire Brigade Duty". It was usually the only time during the year their planes got washed unless they went into a C-check sometime during the year or were repainted. Rain never seemed to do much of anything but strip paint from the nose and leading edges of the flight surfaces.

[B29B24crewchief]

I just got this the other day. R/C electric B-29. It's foam mostly and kinda flimsy but it came with the "A" for the tail and FIFI. We call that copyright infringement! Anyway it was $29.99 + $20.00 for shipping. I put it together with clear RTV to give it some rigidity. Hangar flying only!!

[engguy]

I used to wash DC-3's with a long handle brush and a garden hose. Think I did a convair 240 like that too.

[retroaviation]

I just got this the other day. R/C electric B-29. It's foam mostly and kinda flimsy but it came with the "A" for the tail and FIFI. We call that copyright infringement! Anyway it was $29.99 + $20.00 for shipping. I put it together with clear RTV to give it some rigidity. Hangar flying only!!

Interesting that they still sell those airplanes with those markings. HQ sent them a notice about it about three years ago, when I bought one marked the same way. Hmmmm......

Anyway, I hope your first flight with your little RC FIFI goes better than mine did.

Gary