First Warbird Workday
Fri Apr 20, 2012 7:24 pm
I've been a frequent lurker, occasional poster on WIX as well as armchair historian and airshow attendee. Having been on this board, I know there are a lot of people here who are definitely "hands on" when it comes to Warbirds. Today was my day to take the plunge. I took a day off from work and then drove two hours from my house to southern Pennsylvania where Jack Kosko and his crew are restoring the Avenger.
Wow! What an extraordinary experience! First off, Jack and his restoration crew could not have been any friendlier or more helpful. After introductions and the requisite picture taking, they let me "have it at" and crawl all over the TBM to my heart's content. I was like a kid on Christmas morning! After building dozens of models as a kid, having read stacks of books, attended more than a few airshows, there is something about being completely up close and personal with a warbird.
The only feeling that could match it was the feeling I got once they put me to work. I was working with bondo and sanding a couple of dents on the leading edge of the right wing and horizontal stabilizer. The whole area was probably no more than 2 square feet, if that, but it took me all afternoon. I really have come to appreciate the thousands of man hours it takes to restore a these planes, and this TBM was originally a flyer. I can only imagine how much more work is entailed in rougher restorations. The work made me feel like I was part of the plane.
I'm still blown away by the experience. Now I have to convince my boss to let me have more time off!
Wow! What an extraordinary experience! First off, Jack and his restoration crew could not have been any friendlier or more helpful. After introductions and the requisite picture taking, they let me "have it at" and crawl all over the TBM to my heart's content. I was like a kid on Christmas morning! After building dozens of models as a kid, having read stacks of books, attended more than a few airshows, there is something about being completely up close and personal with a warbird.
The only feeling that could match it was the feeling I got once they put me to work. I was working with bondo and sanding a couple of dents on the leading edge of the right wing and horizontal stabilizer. The whole area was probably no more than 2 square feet, if that, but it took me all afternoon. I really have come to appreciate the thousands of man hours it takes to restore a these planes, and this TBM was originally a flyer. I can only imagine how much more work is entailed in rougher restorations. The work made me feel like I was part of the plane.
I'm still blown away by the experience. Now I have to convince my boss to let me have more time off!
Re: First Warbird Workday
Fri Apr 20, 2012 9:17 pm
SaxMan wrote:I've been a frequent lurker, occasional poster on WIX as well as armchair historian and airshow attendee. Having been on this board, I know there are a lot of people here who are definitely "hands on" when it comes to Warbirds. Today was my day to take the plunge. I took a day off from work and then drove two hours from my house to southern Pennsylvania where Jack Kosko and his crew are restoring the Avenger.
Wow! What an extraordinary experience! First off, Jack and his restoration crew could not have been any friendlier or more helpful. After introductions and the requisite picture taking, they let me "have it at" and crawl all over the TBM to my heart's content. I was like a kid on Christmas morning! After building dozens of models as a kid, having read stacks of books, attended more than a few airshows, there is something about being completely up close and personal with a warbird.
The only feeling that could match it was the feeling I got once they put me to work. I was working with bondo and sanding a couple of dents on the leading edge of the right wing and horizontal stabilizer. The whole area was probably no more than 2 square feet, if that, but it took me all afternoon. I really have come to appreciate the thousands of man hours it takes to restore a these planes, and this TBM was originally a flyer. I can only imagine how much more work is entailed in rougher restorations. The work made me feel like I was part of the plane.
I'm still blown away by the experience. Now I have to convince my boss to let me have more time off!
There are weekends
Re: First Warbird Workday
Fri Apr 20, 2012 9:21 pm
Wheres all the pictures?????? 
Re: First Warbird Workday
Sat Apr 21, 2012 12:34 am
They only work on the plane on Tuesdays and Fridays. Pics coming soon!
Re: First Warbird Workday
Sat Apr 21, 2012 11:26 am
Yep, you got the "bug" which leads to the "fever"! A very satisfying and gratifying experience isn't it? 
Re: First Warbird Workday
Sat Apr 21, 2012 7:40 pm
Here are some of the pics. I've put more pics under the TBM restoration thread:
In the cockpit. There is no seat, so I kind of had to squat:
DSC_0015 by onyxsax, on Flickr
One of the areas that I was working on. This is the leading edge of the starboard wing:
DSC_0038 by onyxsax, on Flickr
Then I went to work on the Horizontal Stabilizer:
DSC_0039 by onyxsax, on Flickr
Sanding away. I actually look like I know what I'm doing!:
DSC_0048 by onyxsax, on Flickr
More pics in the TBM Thread!
In the cockpit. There is no seat, so I kind of had to squat:
DSC_0015 by onyxsax, on Flickr
One of the areas that I was working on. This is the leading edge of the starboard wing:
DSC_0038 by onyxsax, on Flickr
Then I went to work on the Horizontal Stabilizer:
DSC_0039 by onyxsax, on Flickr
Sanding away. I actually look like I know what I'm doing!:
DSC_0048 by onyxsax, on Flickr
More pics in the TBM Thread!