The Coolest Tora Tora Zero

[Steve Nelson]

I believe it was one of Deimert's "Frankenbirds," incorporating the wreck of a real Val and various bits he had laying out behind the barn (or found at Canadian Tire.) Looks like the POF has stripped it back to just the geinuine Val parts, and will work forward from there. Kind of like when conservators removed all the various "restorations" from Da Vinci's "Last Supper" a few years ago, leaving only the paint Leonardo originally applied.

SN

[MattP38]

I believe it was one of Deimert's "Frankenbirds," incorporating the wreck of a real Val and various bits he had laying out behind the barn (or found at Canadian Tire.) Looks like the POF has stripped it back to just the geinuine Val parts, and will work forward from there. Kind of like when conservators removed all the various "restorations" from Da Vinci's "Last Supper" a few years ago, leaving only the paint Leonardo originally applied.

SN

That's wild. A Val made up of at least some original parts would be quite exciting, but then again template construction of a Val and a Kate or two would be cooking with grease!! I can dream.

[warbird1]

The Val is with the Planes of Fame in Chino, it has been undergoing a very long term restoration.

That's "wreckstoration." Once the P-59 flies it may move to the front of the queue.

Is that a replica or a genuine Val? It definitely needs some TLC, I'm game to help but far away.

The basis of the original Deimert "wreckstoration" was an original Val with a LOT of non-original parts, including: a Harvard tail section, a B-25 QEC and engine, auto parts, and many, many non-airworthy hardware parts you would find at Home Depot, Loew's etc. After the POF gained title to the Val they were going to "re-restore" it in time for the 60th or 65th anniversary of Pearl Harbor (can't remember which). After they started digging into it they were appalled at how poorly the original "wreckstoration" was. Since they basically had to start from scratch on the new restoration, they deemed the project would take too much time, money, and resources than they were willing to give at the time. Apparently, it will be a mammoth project to complete, with many of the original parts only good for patterns. They say someday it will fly, though.

[bdk]

Since they basically had to start from scratch on the new restoration, they deemed the project would take too much time, money, and resources than they were willing to give at the time. Apparently, it will be a mammoth project to complete, with many of the original parts only good for patterns. They say someday it will fly, though.

Actually, it has been tinkered with almost continuously. A lot of the fuselage skin was redone and the empennage is nearly done. Many steel fitings that were too pitted to be airworthy have already been duplicated. Still needs a lot of work, but not a lost cause.

Since this seems to be the only other "preserved" Val out there:



I think the POF example may be the only original with any likelihood of restoration to flightworthy condition.

[warbird1]

Since they basically had to start from scratch on the new restoration, they deemed the project would take too much time, money, and resources than they were willing to give at the time. Apparently, it will be a mammoth project to complete, with many of the original parts only good for patterns. They say someday it will fly, though.

Actually, it has been tinkered with almost continuously. A lot of the fuselage skin was redone and the empennage is nearly done. Many steel fitings that were too pitted to be airworthy have already been duplicated. Still needs a lot of work, but not a lost cause.

I think the POF example may be the only original with any likelihood of restoration to flightworthy condition.

That's good to know. The Val looks nearly identical to the way when I first saw it 15 or so years ago at POF. That just goes to show that a lot of restoration is not visible from the outside. Do you know any more info on the Val in regards to it's priority on the restoration queue? I know you mentioned earlier you said it might be restored after the P-59. Does the POF have a sponsor yet for the Val? I've heard that was one of the big hold ups a few years ago. I assume they're going to put an 1830 on that thing, right?

Also, don't forget the little know Japanese recoveries from the Solomon Islands last year. At least one of those aircraft was reputed to be a Val, though I haven't seen any pictures. That could be a possible flyer someday too - hopefully!

[MattP38]

Bump

[MattP38]

The Val is with the Planes of Fame in Chino, it has been undergoing a very long term restoration.

That's "wreckstoration." Once the P-59 flies it may move to the front of the queue.

Is that a replica or a genuine Val? It definitely needs some TLC, I'm game to help but far away.

The basis of the original Deimert "wreckstoration" was an original Val with a LOT of non-original parts, including: a Harvard tail section, a B-25 QEC and engine, auto parts, and many, many non-airworthy hardware parts you would find at Home Depot, Loew's etc. After the POF gained title to the Val they were going to "re-restore" it in time for the 60th or 65th anniversary of Pearl Harbor (can't remember which). After they started digging into it they were appalled at how poorly the original "wreckstoration" was. Since they basically had to start from scratch on the new restoration, they deemed the project would take too much time, money, and resources than they were willing to give at the time. Apparently, it will be a mammoth project to complete, with many of the original parts only good for patterns. They say someday it will fly, though.

Amazing! Thinking about a cobbled together "warbird" like that is unnerving and the fact that it never crashed in that state is all the more surreal. As I said it would be really nice to see something of a more authentic Val and Kate flying. I think it is well deserved and they would go well with the flying A6M2.

Since they basically had to start from scratch on the new restoration, they deemed the project would take too much time, money, and resources than they were willing to give at the time. Apparently, it will be a mammoth project to complete, with many of the original parts only good for patterns. They say someday it will fly, though.

Actually, it has been tinkered with almost continuously. A lot of the fuselage skin was redone and the empennage is nearly done. Many steel fitings that were too pitted to be airworthy have already been duplicated. Still needs a lot of work, but not a lost cause.

Since this seems to be the only other "preserved" Val out there:



I think the POF example may be the only original with any likelihood of restoration to flightworthy condition.

I have seen that airframe and it is hurting to say the least. You’re right, the POF Val will be the more likely of the two restorations, but look at the CWH Lysander that just became airworthy. That was in awful shape and is now a pristine flying example. It is possible, but would the effort be put into place to make it worthwhile? Ship me parts, steel wool and WD-40 and I am good to go!

Since they basically had to start from scratch on the new restoration, they deemed the project would take too much time, money, and resources than they were willing to give at the time. Apparently, it will be a mammoth project to complete, with many of the original parts only good for patterns. They say someday it will fly, though.

Actually, it has been tinkered with almost continuously. A lot of the fuselage skin was redone and the empennage is nearly done. Many steel fitings that were too pitted to be airworthy have already been duplicated. Still needs a lot of work, but not a lost cause.

I think the POF example may be the only original with any likelihood of restoration to flightworthy condition.

That's good to know. The Val looks nearly identical to the way when I first saw it 15 or so years ago at POF. That just goes to show that a lot of restoration is not visible from the outside. Do you know any more info on the Val in regards to it's priority on the restoration queue? I know you mentioned earlier you said it might be restored after the P-59. Does the POF have a sponsor yet for the Val? I've heard that was one of the big hold ups a few years ago. I assume they're going to put an 1830 on that thing, right?

Also, don't forget the little know Japanese recoveries from the Solomon Islands last year. At least one of those aircraft was reputed to be a Val, though I haven't seen any pictures. That could be a possible flyer someday too - hopefully!

You caught my attention regarding the Solomons rescues, I’ll have to do some snooping around.

[mustangdriver]

Where is that Val?

[MattP38]

Where is that Val?

It's listed as Fredricksburg. Texas, I guess.

http://www.j-aircraft.com/walk/randy_St ... ksburg.htm

[Pogo]

Yep, Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg, Texas. A startlingly excellent museum out in the middle of nowhere. Adm. N's home town, is how it got there.

http://www.nimitz-museum.org/

[MattP38]

Yep, Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg, Texas. A startlingly excellent museum out in the middle of nowhere. Adm. N's home town, is how it got there.

http://www.nimitz-museum.org/

I hope to make it someday. As I said above, ship me some parts from the Val and I'll happily do my part to contribute.

[RickH]

Nimitz also has a TBM, a B-25J that has been modded into a Doolittle C, a Lake Michigan F4F, a really shot up, truly crashed Val ( not the one pictured, they have what's left of a second airframe ), a bunch of tanks, and the Japanese midget sub that is in the surf in the Pearl Harbor pictures shot the day after the attack.

They also have the 78ft Higgins PT309, a true Med combat veteran. We actually had in the water and the volunteers almost had it ready to run before being taken back by the state and the museum. It now sits in a hole still on the transport trailer. It is supposed to be replicating being tied up at a dock. Unfortunately most of the boat is hidden.

[mustangdriver]

THat PT boat is awesome. Rick did you work on that thing. PT Boats Rock! Not many left at all.

[RickH]

I helped in a small way. Provided technical assistance, arranged some donations of material and fabrication. Was there the day we put it back into the water and installed all of the deck superstructure prior to her public debut.

One July 4th weekend they put it on display at the county park. Since the engines weren't installed yet they asked me to tow her back to her berth at the other end of the lake. That was fun !

It's a shame to see her where she is now, I'm sure a lot of the restoration on the hull has been trashed by now by the heat and dry air.

[mustangdriver]

I am happy that she is saved, but man it would be sweet to see and hear one run.