Warbird Information Exchange

I agree, quite sad. But, at least it wasn't a complete loss.

Kevin and Gary,

Are C-97 parts really that easy to find?

-Chaz

Why did they cut the prop blades in half?

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S.

Lucky Lady's fuselage at Chino when I was there earlier this fall:

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

They're easy to find at my place. I think that because they're so big and because just a few were saved (initially) from the scrapper, because of their firebombing or cargo hauling duties, there were a few operators who saved everything they possibly could. Now that none of those operators are left, the parts have migrated to other folks who just can't throw anything away......like me.

Gary

I get it, kind of like how H&P had seven C-97's stored when they only flew one. (Although I think they planned to fly more.)

(P.S., you are not alone, I find myself trying to buy a C-82 "Packet" that's been in Brazil since '59.....and hasn't flown since '83....for use as a cargo aircraft. )

Chaz

any updates?

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S.

then when you show up and have been a mechanic all of your life,they will hand you a broom and tell you to sweep up the kitty litter soaking up the oil under the planes

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"WHAT ME WORRY?"

Come up to Connecticut, we will put you to work. No brooms, no kitty litter, just bring tools... oh yea and doughnuts...

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Andrew King
Air Museum Director with no Museum to Direct
Open to Suggestions

You take the broom, sweep up the kitty litter, do a good job then ask "Whats' next?"
Shame that Vampire is rotting away outside

Nothing wrong with sweeping up kitty litter and wiping up oil. someone has to do it and I'll surely not ask someone else to do it if I'm not willing to do it also. It all comes with the territory. If you're the best kitty litter sweeper around then it stands to reason that the rest of your work will be as good too. I'm in charge of restoring a MiG 15 to static condition and I use the kitty litter test all the time for new guys. Amazing correlation when guys do a good job sweeping, they invariably do a good job everywhere else. If they're too good to pick up a broom, then I've found that they are just there for their own self gratification. Every guy that has picked up a broom and swept, I've put to work and now consider them not only good friends but very good mechanics as well. They all know its part of the routine to work your way into more fun stuff. We've got a guy out here who is a good A&P who built his own RV-8 but takes great pride in making sure all the hardware drawers are always organized and properly labeled. His name is John Vick, a retired dentist, who works in total obscurity but nonetheless is a huge help to us guys out on the floor who grew tired of always having to hunt for hardware or having it mixed up or improperly labeled. Not everyone turns wrenches but God love those guys who can pitch in with all the dirty work and do it well. OK, back to the B-50 stuff. We used to say that not only were projects NOT on the back burner, they weren't even in the kitchen yet. I think POF has there hands full with the fundraising and restoration of the B-17 and their other current projects. But if someone dropped a seven figure check in their lap for the B-50, it might expedite it a little. Best of luck out there guys and I'm looking forward to another great airshow in May.

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The more I learn about aircraft, the more I realize I still have to learn.

Actually the wing carry-through and pressure bulkheads were cut out to make a walkway when the fueslage was a traveling display. A lot of the internal equipment was reinstaled and made operative by some of the sparky volunteers some years ago. I think they used to operate the turret for instance.

BDK, or anyone else who might know. Are there any pictures of the interior Of Lucky Lady II
How complete is the interior
Thanks.

I don't know. I probably haven't been inside in 25 years. Might need to be re-restored for all I know! Maybe Cindy knows?

Well said Chris, I started out paint stripping (the old horrible chemical way) on the RNZAF Museum's Avenger. NOT a glamour job but one that showed who was there for the aircraft rather than the "look at me I'm working on a aircraft" brigade!" The following year I was one of the lucky few allowed to ground run the Avenger, not bad for an 18 year old!!

I had no problems with sweeping out the hangars,I knew I was at the bottom of the totem pole,i just felt that after driving 35 miles for the 3rd week in a row,and the fact that I have been a mechanic my whole life was wasting both my time and gas money. I love working on Warbirds and have done it for free a number of times.I just felt that they could have put my talents to better use.Chino is not real close to the LA area.it was costing me alot to go and sweep.My buddy is also a talented mechanic.I just felt we were waisting our time and money.I'll sweep once or twice but It got old.
and did I mention,I hate paint stripping,ask BDK he'll tell ya

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"WHAT ME WORRY?"