Alright, I'm going to go through and list out the current projects and try to give you guys an idea on what's going on:
Landing Gear Door Valances: both of the inner valances are nearly completed, we're currently waiting on an order of new anchor nuts so they can be installed. Once installed the valance will be inspected, signed off, then the bottom skins will be pop riveted (cherry lock rivet) on.
Landing Gear Doors: both of the inner landing gear doors have had all skins removed and new ones made. We're currently waiting on construction of a new larger media blast booth so we can blast the actual structure of the doors. Once that's completed we can then rivet the top skins on and again have the work inspected, then pop rivet(cherry lock) the bottom skins on.
Wing Tips: both wingtips are currently on hold. Port, because of a bracket we need to have made/replaced. Starboard, because of some major corrosion issues on the rear ribs/stringers. We'll have to find a way to make these new larger ribs and stringers.
Engines: A few months ago we had Paul Draper from Roush Racing come in to have a look at our 4 Merlins. After seeing the condition of all engines he said they would be able to do them for us at a cost of about $150,000 per engine (this would be to full airworthy certification). So for now we're going to crate up the engine we currently have torn apart and inhibit the other three until we are ready to take the major step of getting one of them overhauled.
New Blast Booth: As I mentioned above we're currently waiting on the construction of a new media blast booth. This one is going to be quite a bit larger giving us the abilitly to complete some larger components on the aircraft. (Vertical stabs, rudders, fuel cell doors, etc.)
Current Plans for the next two years: - Removal of #2 prop and engine off of aircraft
- Complete paint stripping of aircraft
- Mount the aircraft properly onto jacks
- Remove outer undercarriage door and valances and complete restoration of them
- Remove undercarriage completely
- Build the required jigs for the different sections of the aircraft and lower the aicraft onto them
- Remove tail section of aircraft and bring into hangar workshop for complete restoration
(by the end of 2013)
If there's anything I missed off the list I'll add it on Thursday when I read through it again. Things are slowly progressing as funds come through and volunteers learn new skills. Hopefully we can secure some more substatial funding in the near furture but for now we have to rely on the donations from the public which we greatly appreciate!
Cheers
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