Warbird Information Exchange

My opinion probably doesn't mean squat, but why deviate from equipment that makes it an A model? You can't pick and choose what parts/features to include on the aircraft just because whomever is in charge of the squadron now thinks it would be "cool." Sure the bubble windows are cool. But so is a nose turret. And a nose turret has no place on a A model.

If the CAF wants to put the "only flying B-24 in existence" comments to rest, then I think they need to stay on the path that Gary and others have started down rather than pulling bits and pieces from it's LB-30/C-87 days.

flame suit on...

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Sure, Charles Lindbergh flew the plane... but Tom Rutledge built the engine!

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Well Alan, since I no longer have a say with those airplanes, I say y'all can just let everything "slide." It'll be just like the "good ol' days of the CAF."


As far as the bomb doors go, that's going to be a pretty big project and likely won't take place until after FIFI is up and supporting the Squadron

I was hoping that the top gun and left waist gunner's position would've been made a higher priority this winter, but seeing how it's taken months to get enough help to just change an engine, I don't blame them for not taking on any more projects than they have.

If I sound frustrated, its because I am. But I really hope the Squadron succeeds with all of their endeavors. Dave Miller is a great Crew Chief and if folks follow his lead, things will go well.

Gary

Whooaaaaaaaaa...no tinkling contest here guys.... The goal is the same... To continue the return of the airplane to its bomber configuration. As far as the windows go, I just like them. However, I am just a peon. No making of excuses, but here in Addison, we do not know the airplane as well as Gary. We are a bit reluctant to start major sheet metal mods, as we have a mandated time frame to get the girl ready for a heavy season. If Dave or Gary were here everyday, then the re-configuration would be much further along... but it will continue. Yes, I cannot wait to get the upper gunners hatch opened and functional... but that does mean re-routing the control cables... Yes, I cannot wait to the bombay door project...... but as Gary has stated, that will be a very involved project. BTW... Gary, I am very proud of how you have made us (CAF) get our act together on our aircraft. Sorry, I do not wish to go back to the "good ol' days". Alan

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Just call me Al.

Now Now boys! Let me make this very clear, the continuation of Ol' 927's reconfiguration, is going to be as realistic to a B-24A model as possible. In time, it is my hope to put the bomb bay doors back on, left waist gunners position, top gunners position and other things that were notable to the "A" model. Nice photos Alan and thanks to all of you up there in Addison!!

I will be in the area for business nest week. Is it possible to go shake hands and visit the facility ?

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Michel C
Thousands of a/c pics at Passion-Aviation

Are you going to be in Addison or Midland?

Sorry, I should have been more precise: Addison !

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Michel C
Thousands of a/c pics at Passion-Aviation

We don't have any scheduled work days at this moment for next week, but contact me or Alan via PM and as long as the visit is during normal museum hours (9a-5p Mon-Sat, 11a-5p Sun), I'm sure someone can meet you and show you the airplane (I'm available most days myself).

Museum opening hours, for sure...

I sent you a PM

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Michel C
Thousands of a/c pics at Passion-Aviation

Thanks Michel, and thanks Chris..... Ok, just a quick update and I will try to throw some pics in as well, but later tonight.... #3 engine is installed. Final hookup in progress with possible engine run on #3 scheduled for sometime Thursday if all goes to plan. Crew chief Dave Miller is coming in today with aircraft jacks, so we can swing/check landing gear. Rick Garvis has been all over '927, checking, inspecting, and prodding the old girl. So far, we have been in pretty good shape (Thanks Gary!).... I will try to be a little more in-depth later... Thanks all.... Alan

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Just call me Al.

I was just out for a half day and had to leave for family (they're wanting to "do family stuff" here shortly), but during that time I was able to help John finish cleaning up the oil tank and re-install the #3 Oil Cooler shroud which I'd removed (along with the Oil Cooler) last week and flushed. Rick had re-installed the Oil Cooler the same day after modification to fittings on top to accept the new Air Wolf filter kit that we will be putting on all of the engines eventually to help simplify oil change procedures (this is the mod that allows you to put a FRAM oil filter in place of or as a supplement to the oil screens as I understand it).

John had the #3 prop almost fully rigged and ready for tomorrow and I think Rick said that the final oil hoses for the Air Wolf kit were supposed to come in today or tomorrow morning so they could put oil in the engine and get it ready for the run tomorrow.

Don Obreiter showed up around 10am and started work on rigging the rudders and elevators.

Maybe tomorrow I'll remember to take my camera...

Welllllllll, since Chris did such a nice job with the text, I'll just supply the piccies........
John Flynn hard at work......

Close-up of #3....

All four engines will be getting pre-oilers along with the Airwolf spin-on filter system.......The "Fram" difference....... According to the literature, we only need the single filter setup, since we are under 2000 cubic inches. Anything larger requires the "Super Gorilla" double filter package.

I also want to give a big "Thank You" to Rick Garvis. Rick is "Hangar Aviation Inc". Very knowledgeable and very thorough.... Rick is doing a great job for us on "Ol' 927"!

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Just call me Al.

Thanks for continuing the in-depth updates. The pictures and descriptions are always educational.
I also am constantly amazed by and appreciative of the skills and efforts of the volunteers that Keep 'Em Flying.
The oil filter update is intriguing. How often will you check/replace the Fram filter? How often did/will you check the oil screens?
thanks,
John

I will ask John and/or Rick and/or Dave in a few hours about that. I know that the other setup I've seen on a CAF aircraft (I think it's on the R4D or BT-15, can't remember now) has a timed interval for replacement, but I'm not 100% sure it's also an Air Wolf kit as it's a much older setup.

IT RUNS! I got there around 9am to find Dave Miller (b29b24crewchief), Rick (from Lone Star), and John Flynn (Chief) already hard at work. Dave and Rick were working on the rudder pedal adjust mechanisms, working on the landing gear selector, and several other items. John was working on final items with the #3 engine. I just did my usual do whatever they asked. Jake showed up, followed by Jeff Blakey (the engine builder), and finally Mike Dillon around noon. We finished up closing up a few panels, checking the plane was ready, and pulled it out around 11am after doing a pre-oil, turning the engine through about a dozen blades or so, and then feathering and unfeathering the prop to ensure that there was oil in the dome.

The Cavanaugh guys then pulled the plane out of the hangar (after unstacking it to get the 4 aircraft out in front of it - including the CAF Corsair now there as they are assisting in the annual inspection for the aircraft), and we did the initial run on the #3. We found a problem with one of the mags, trouble shot it (during which both Dave and Jeff had to leave to beat traffic as it was almost 2pm. Dave was going back to Midland and Blakey back to NW Tarrant County), and fixed it. Tom Travis had shown up just before the first run of the #3 so he and Rick performed the second run on the #3 and then ran the other 3 engines to see if anything was outstanding on them from the work that had already been performed to date. We found a couple of things that are going to be worked on tomorrow, but we also ran the other 3 engines and they all turned out pretty good. #1 has an oil leak that will need to be traced, but it's not major, and the #4's new generator worked fine, so we're pretty happy overall.

Finally, I was able to transfer the fuel from the left wing to the right wing to allow for some leaks on the left tank to be addressed. It actually took less time to move the 300 gallons than I expected, but it is definitely interesting to see the plane leaning a little with almost 600 gallons on one side of the airplane (although it's well within ground limits for the airplane).

I wish I'd taken pictures, but both Mike and Dave did, so hopefully Dave will post some and Mike will send out some to Alan and he can post them.

I will close with this -

SHE SOUNDS GOOD!