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Lackland AFB P-82 Photos

Thu Aug 13, 2009 7:41 pm

In another thread, there was a request for some current photos of the Lackland AFB P-82.

Although there aren't that many photos here, I spent quite a bit of time this evening looking as close as I could without actually climbing up on it.

My assessment is that it actually looks to be in pretty decent condition, all things considered. It's obviously in a cocoon of numerous layers of paint, but I could only find a single area of obvious corrosion (see photo below). Obviously, there's a lot more in there -- there has to be -- but I have certainly seen static displays and gate guards that look a lot worse than this.

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Here's a bubble of corrosion on the left side of the righthand fuselage. For some perspective, it is about the size of a credit card.
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Thu Aug 13, 2009 7:46 pm

That's good to see. All I can say is that I hope that they treat it with the respect it deserves and never let a crew go at it with electric sanders like this:
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(Same AFB just under two years ago...)

Ryan

Thu Aug 13, 2009 7:48 pm

That thing looks to be in awesome shape! If the USAF still has that one in their possession, why'd they have to be such schmucks about the CAF P-82?

Randy, how long did it take you to find that corrosion? Thanks for the effort "above & beyond the call."

Thu Aug 13, 2009 7:50 pm

RyanShort1 wrote: never let a crew go at it with electric sanders like this


That's the typical way I've seen most AFB static displays be repainted. They just don't have the time/manpower/money to have it media blasted prior to re-paint.

Thu Aug 13, 2009 7:51 pm

Rajay wrote:Randy, how long did it take you to find that corrosion? Thanks for the effort "above & beyond the call."


Not long, just a couple of minutes...but I looked all over the place, and that is literally the only visible corrosion that I could find. I laid down on my back and looked at the belly and didn't see anything there, where I expected to see some.

Fri Aug 14, 2009 11:39 am

Sadly whatever the amount of corrosion and I would imagine there to be plenty, this beautiful airplane’s fate is sealed.

Dan

Fri Aug 14, 2009 11:43 am

yah, but at least it is well sealed!!! :wink:

that is until the AF bids out her repainting to the lowest bidder and they pick up a crew from a Home Depot parking lot and hand them electric sanders a nail file and a can of Krylon!

EEEEEKKK :hide:

Fri Aug 14, 2009 6:26 pm

RyanShort1 wrote:That's good to see. All I can say is that I hope that they treat it with the respect it deserves and never let a crew go at it with electric sanders like this:
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(Same AFB just under two years ago...)

Ryan


I agree that this is not the best way to do the job, but I have seen much worse done to flying warbirds with all due respect.

Fri Aug 14, 2009 7:53 pm

mustangdriver wrote:
RyanShort1 wrote:That's good to see. All I can say is that I hope that they treat it with the respect it deserves and never let a crew go at it with electric sanders like this:
Image
(Same AFB just under two years ago...)

Ryan


I agree that this is not the best way to do the job, but I have seen much worse done to flying warbirds with all due respect.


I have the AF museum do alot worse, for alot longer. I would like to know what you think you have seen done worse to a fly Warbird ?

Sat Aug 15, 2009 8:01 am

I have seen many risks taken in order to go flying over safety that far exceed a method of sanding the wing on a static aircraft.

Sat Aug 15, 2009 8:03 am

Rajay wrote:That thing looks to be in awesome shape! If the USAF still has that one in their possession, why'd they have to be such schmucks about the CAF P-82?


They didn't want something that they own sold.
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