Windsor (CH2A) Lancaster Restoration

[peter]

Looking good Ryan!
Make sure you document any serial numbers on cowlings and various panels etc in case she has parts from other lancasters...

[Rhino-9-3]

Here are couple from today of the #3 cowl and it's parts. Most of the parts have been cleaned up and are ready for acid treatment, there are a few small pieces that were corroded so bad we are having to replace them. We have also been removing some of the fasteners and springs, they will be replaced as soon as we get the new ones. Other than that, it's coming along nicely.





Couple of the wingtip as well:

[Rhino-9-3]

Sorry the lack of updates lately, it's been quite crazy around here with the hanger renovations and most of our work has been put on hold until this past week. We are just now slowly getting back into things.

We received some great news recently, aside from the grant for the hanger restoration we also recieved a grant specifically for the Lanc. With that money coming in we've decided to remove the vertical stabilizers, rudders, and horizontal stabilizers from the aircraft (the horizontals will be sent out to a company in either Kitchener or Toronto to be completely restored to airworthy condition [they are in the worst of the shape out of the 4 stabilizers]). Becuase of stipulations with the grant we're going to have to work quickly to make this happen, the goal is to have everything off in the next month.

Going to be a busy few weeks ahead!

[Rhino-9-3]

We've spent the last few days prepring the rudders, elevators, and horizontal and vertical stabilizers for removal (removing inspections/access panels, fairings, loosening attaching botls, etc.) Today we finally came close to removing the elevators but hit a small snag by the end of the day. Hopefully Tuesday night we'll be able to get them off.

Here are a few pictures from today of the removal of the elevator control rod center section:





Volunteer Cayle Grant working on the control rod.


Finally out of the plane:


One more from yesterday: After opening of the stabilizer spar inspection panels we had a look inside to check for corrosion, as we were doing this we found a signature on one of the formers in the horizontal stabilizer (we're assuming it's from when it was assembled). The signature can be seen towards the bottom left of the picture, it's also upside down.

[peter]

Nice update Ryan, not sure why the control tube was removed just to get the elevators off although it wil have to come out one day anyway for strip and repaint.

[Rhino-9-3]

Last night after several hours of work we were finally able to get the Starboard rudder off of the tailplane. Thursda night we should have the port side off as well. We were happy to find out that as far as we can tell so far aside from some minor damage from a tree hit during the moving of the plane once it came off the pedestal everything looks to be in really good shape.

[peter]

Looking good Ryan, thanks for the update.

[Second Air Force]

Agreed. Keep the updates coming! Y'all and the PBJ guys are about the only projects that still keeps us in the loop. I know from experience that it isn't always convenient to drop tools and pick up a camera and I appreciate that you are sharing the progress.

Scott

[Rhino-9-3]

Last night we managed to remove the port rudder and the starboard elevator. Things are coming along great.

Both rudders off the tail plane:


Elevator off the starboard tail plane. Some of the crew putting bolts/nuts back into plane:


Starboard tail plane with elevator and rudder removed:

[Rhino-9-3]

We made even more progress today, we managed to remove the port elevator and the starboard fin. Tuesday night we should have the port fin off and have everything preped for the removal of the horizontal stabilizers sometime later in the week.

After the removal of the port elevator:




Starboard fin removed:

[peter]

Ah yes traces of that lovely Dayglo orange/red paint showing through on the tail plane outer edges.

[Andy in West Oz]

Been a while since I caught up with this restoration. You guys are really cranking along, Ryan. Well done!

[Rhino-9-3]

Tuesday we removed the port fin, and started the preping of the horizontal stabilizers for removal. Saturday we removed the rear turret covering, and once again continued with the horiztonal stabilizers.

Some pictures from this past week:









Fingers crossed we'll have the horizontal stabilizers off this coming Saturday. Once this has been completed they will be brought up to a company in Kitchener to undergo an 8 month restoration to airworthy condition. As that is being done we'll be working to finish up the port wingtip. The starboard one is going to get put on hold and done at a later time. Once the port one is done, we'll be starting on smaller projects that can be handled by a couple people each and can be completed quicker (under carriage doors, engine cowls, etc.).

[Mike Berry]

It looks chilly in the tent hanger.

Thanks for the updates!

[agent86]

You Go Guys! you have a ton of work but it seems you're making progress.good for you!