FM-2 Wildcats!

[mustanglover]

The first couple of months were spent inventorying what we had and what we may need. We also got a set of microfilm that contained, as far as we can tell, most of the FM-2 drawings. We promptly had the microfilm converted to .pdf files and burned on a master CD. I then spent about 5 weeks, on and off work, creating a Master Drawing List in Excel so that we had a searchable data base to look for what drawing we may need. We have a huge inventory of "stuff" and found a few very interesting pieces. One of these were two NOS drop tanks still in their original crates.



The #1 fuselage is really in great shape with a few areas that need repair. In the middle of October we began stripping all the removable components in preparation of paint stripping, inspection and using this fuselage to finish the fuselage fixture to use on #2 and #3.
Landing Gear and all conduit and components...




Then the fuselage was loaded into the fixture for locating attach points...

[mustangdriver]

That would be awesome to see this resto go together. The Wildcat is such a rugged little fighter.

[warbird1]

Awesome beginning to a thread which will hopefully end up being very, very long over the next few years.

HHHHmmmmm, 3 Wildcats? What I wouldn't give to see a 3 ship formation aerobatic team of Wildcats......hint......hint.....

[Rogue]

I too will subscribe, since my uncle was on the team that put cameras in Widcats and flew recon in the SoPac.

How about the bureau numbers, and known history on these Cats?

[Matt Gunsch]

Awesome beginning to a thread which will hopefully end up being very, very long over the next few years.

HHHHmmmmm, 3 Wildcats? What I wouldn't give to see a 3 ship formation aerobatic team of Wildcats......hint......hint.....

We have the Horsemen with the P-51s, what would this group be called, the Catmen ? Fishmen ? kitty flight ? Team Catfish ?

[warbird1]

Awesome beginning to a thread which will hopefully end up being very, very long over the next few years.

HHHHmmmmm, 3 Wildcats? What I wouldn't give to see a 3 ship formation aerobatic team of Wildcats......hint......hint.....

We have the Horsemen with the P-51s, what would this group be called, the Catmen ? Fishmen ? kitty flight ? Team Catfish ?

How about the Muscats or the Wild Tangs!

[mustanglover]

Awesome beginning to a thread which will hopefully end up being very, very long over the next few years.

HHHHmmmmm, 3 Wildcats? What I wouldn't give to see a 3 ship formation aerobatic team of Wildcats......hint......hint.....

I plan to keep things going, so stand by.

I obviously have started things a few months back and am slowly building up to where we are today. Lots of new parts already built through sheet metal work and machining and will get to them in due time.

As with any restoration, we are always looking for any and all parts that may be out there. So if anyone knows of a little stash of Wildcat parts here and there, please let us know no matter how small they may be. If we have a duplicate part then they become trading stock and spares as needed. So keep your eyes and ears open for us!

[larrym59]

Hmmm... someone named "Mustanglover" working on roundmotored birds...

Yeah, I wanna' see this, too.

mustanglover has also help on a restoration of a T-28C a few years back, and a Waco YMF from a wreck, he knows roundmotors. :

[Chunks]

I love the manufacturer on the drop tanks, American Stove Co. It's always interesting to see the variety of businesses that changed to war production.

Mustanlover, don't spoon feed us, I prefer a buffet!

Chunks

[mustanglover]

After getting the first fuselage out of the fixture, we sent it down to the paint shop to begin the stripping process.

The somewhat finished fuselage fixture.


Stripping



and then began to disassemble fuselage #2






The next update will show the building/rebuilding of the tail surfaces and various new parts we are manufacturing.

[Holedigger]

Wow! Lot of work being done, and a long ways to go to flyable. Your own mini assembly line. So, by doing three at a time, hopefully that keeps the cost per bird down a bit as jigs, patterns and such can be shared among them? Is anyone else currently rebuilding a FM-2? Shared knowledge is a powerful thing.

[mustanglover]

The Fighter Factory is restoring one, but they pretty much have a complete airplane that was previously flyable.

There is not much knowledge out there of the major restoration of FM-2s, so I guess we are kinda leading the way in the tooling and manufacturing side.

A little taste of the same of the parts we are doing, some control stick assembly work:

[CraigQ]

The Fighter Factory is restoring one, but they pretty much have a complete airplane that was previously flyable.

There is not much knowledge out there of the major restoration of FM-2s, so I guess we are kinda leading the way in the tooling and manufacturing side.

A little taste of the same of the parts we are doing, some control stick assembly work:

Ironic that you should post a pic of that control column block, ours (FF's) was cracked at the bearing recess on one side. We have it out to be welded, we are fortunate to have access with someone capable of welding this up. Did you get the pics I emailed of the longeron/beam?

Craig

[CraigQ]

Wow! Lot of work being done, and a long ways to go to flyable. Your own mini assembly line. So, by doing three at a time, hopefully that keeps the cost per bird down a bit as jigs, patterns and such can be shared among them? Is anyone else currently rebuilding a FM-2? Shared knowledge is a powerful thing.

As mustanglover mentioned we have one going on at the Fighter Factory, I didn't want to hijack his thread or steal his thunder so to say. But we have been communicating about the projects. But to give a peak here is our fuselage after it was stripped. I'll post anyother pics and info on it in a different thread.
Craig Q

[mustanglover]

The Fighter Factory is restoring one, but they pretty much have a complete airplane that was previously flyable.

There is not much knowledge out there of the major restoration of FM-2s, so I guess we are kinda leading the way in the tooling and manufacturing side.

A little taste of the same of the parts we are doing, some control stick assembly work:
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p294 ... G_9927.jpg[/img]
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p294 ... G_9929.jpg[/img]
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p294 ... G_9926.jpg[/img]
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p294 ... G_9928.jpg[/img]

Ironic that you should post a pic of that control column block, ours (FF's) was cracked at the bearing recess on one side. We have it out to be welded, we are fortunate to have access with someone capable of welding this up. Did you get the pics I emailed of the longeron/beam?

Craig

If the welding does not work out, just let me know, we are machining several of them now. Got your pics, that is what we are calling the keel beams. I have found a Tiernay Metals "C" channel that is very similar.