Warbird Information Exchange

Is that a picture of Mike C himself working on the vertical? Talked with him extensively at the Texan Formation clinic.

Yep, Mike is one of the regular workers on the P-63 in the Cobra Den. I think he's really happy that it is coming together like it is, and that the airframe isn't in as bad of shape as had been reported. IF we can keep Murphy at bay, the plane might make the two big shows (WOH and Airsho) this fall!

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Mike

It was reported at our wing meeting last Tuesday that the P-63F's engine is on the stand and running! It should arrive at the Cobra Den in a matter of days. The hope was that the rest of the work would be to a point that the engine could be dropped in, but some things like the P-39 have taken some time away from the King Cobra. With the engine soon to arrive, focus is back on the P-63, and it's moving right along again!

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Mike

Lifted from Ray Clausen's "Maintenance Officer Report" in the September, 2010, CenTex Wing newsletter:

"I’ve been hoping for quite some time now that a few above average mechanics would come forward and “claim” a plane as their own. These people would be the chief of the plane while it is on the ground, responsible for maintenance, support, and logistics. We have settled on the title of Plane Captain for this position and I’m happy to announce that Mike Marando has accepted the invitation from the sponsors of the P-63 to be its Plane Captain. The Wing MO will still direct and supervise all maintenance done but the Plane Captain will handle the day-to-day operations and upkeep of the aircraft. Jim Liles has “owned” the 310 Kate for years, so Mike isn’t really the first, but he’s a great choice for the P-63.

The P-63 project is rocking along, too. Much of the work this past month has been internal so you may think that little has happened, but you’d be wrong. The entire aircraft has now been reprimed, including the cockpit. The new skin has been installed on the tail. The fuel boost pumps, missing for so long, have been replaced and the fuel system is ready to go in. The oil cooler has been installed and the radiators should go in this week. The rudder and elevators should be installed by the weekend along with all of the tail sheet metal covers. The brakes should be in and functional by Wednesday, August 31. The battery may go in by the weekend, as we have only three wires to figure out at this point. An instrument panel modification is almost ready to install.

With all of this activity, the most exciting bit of news is that the engine should ship late
this week. It is really starting to come together!"

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Mike

Ray or Mike..... anything new?

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Just call me Al.

Detail work continues on the 63 to get her ready for the engine. Almost, if not all, of the interior has been repainted. Looks good! Ray said at the meeting last night that the engine is in the crate and will be shipped as soon as the check clears the bank! So it shouldn't be too long now before it's in the plane and running!

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Mike