Warbird Information Exchange

I am working on a T-34 and it is a B model that had magnesium elevators and rudder. Does anyone know where I can find new ones? Also, Do we have to use magnesium in the restoration? What are the rules in using aluminum in it's place. Would that be airworthy? Thanks in advance.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

if it is type certificated, you have to use what came off, or if Beech has approved aluminum replacments.

Since it is a Beechcraft, start at your local dealer. Or contact Charley Nogal, the T-34 guru

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Matt Gunsch, A&P, IA, Warbird maint and restorations
Jack, You have Debauched my sloth !!!!!!
We tried voting with the Ballot box, When do we start voting from the Ammo box, and am I allowed only one vote ?
Check out the Ercoupe Discussion Group on facebook

There is an STC for AL skins for all of the other Bonanza's so I am sure that there is one for the T-34 as well. You might want to check with the American Bonanza Society.

Check with these folks.
http://www.t-34.com/home/home.asp

Parks Industries, Amarillo,TX, (806) 622-0602, has the STC for remanufacturing with aluminum skins. Earl Parks has passed on but the company is still doing the surfaces. Bring a checkbook !

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"You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass..."
Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto

Yes, Parks Industries has done many Aluminum tail surfaces. Give them a call.

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Scott Apple
Experience on the following aircraft: B-17, B-25, He111, T-6/SNJ, C-45/D18S, O2A, L-19, Various General Aviation, and Corporate Aircraft.

As others have noted, yes. Alloy surfaces are certainly airworthy etc etc.

The only surfaces that HAVE to be magnesium are the old Bonanza 35 series V-tail Ruddervators. Obviously that is not a concern for you with the T-34.
The FAA turned down several PMA/STC projects to reskin the Ruddervators with Aluminum due to the lighter weight of the Magnesium skins, there have been too many Tail flutter problems with V tails for them to feel comfortable with reskinning with something new (and heavier).
If anything has changed on that please post and let us know.
Good luck with that ugly Bonanza wannabe, chris. Tell the owner to buy a CJ-6.

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All I did was press this red button here...

Good luck with the T-34B resto, Chris! Post photos when you can.

My first warbird ride was in the back seat of T-34B N99257 with the late Col. Gordon Hargis (USAF, Ret.) at the controls. Some of you probably knew him; he was one of the pilots of AHM's Super Connie and P-51D Straw Boss 2. The Mentor was assigned to the NAS Dallas flying club at that time and was later sold. Last time I saw her, she was sitting covered with dust and engine-less in a hangar at Northwest Regional, but that was MANY years ago.

Cheers,

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Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida

I will get some pics. It is a project but moving along really well. She is going to be a flyer. The wings are finished, and fuselage going through resto now.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

Has it had the spars done? That has been the biggest source of discussion amongst the Mentor crowd lately.