PV-2D Harpoon 84062 (Tanker 101) comes back to life

Chappie · **Joined:** Wed Dec 19, 2007 9:40 am **Posts:** 987

Taigh, she is really looking great. I love your attention to detail and tireless effort in returning the Harpoon to her original configuration.

Cheers,
Chappie

Taigh Ramey · **Posted:** Mon Apr 30, 2012 9:01 pm

We pulled out the batteries and APU from the aft fuselage which removed a lot of weight far aft of the center of gravity so we needed to balance out the nose heaviness. So, purely for CG reasons and nothing else, we were forced to install the Martin 250CE top turret...

Out came the turret from storage which is sort of new old stock and still has cosomline on the armor plate. Its dusty but is really in good shape. It powered up and runs too.

Then the plug over the turret well on the Harpoon needs to come off

A sun roof?

We mooched a couple of guns from another turret in the museum until we can get the replicas purchased and installed. Hefting 60 pound guns inside the fuselage up to the turret when it is installed is not a lot fun so lets get them in place while the turret is on the ground.

Larry is fitting and securing the turret mounting ring

The coolest part of this whole turret project for me is using the original equipment and tools. Any excuse to fire up the C-2 Wrecker truck. I'm sure there is some kind of a service conflict by using an Army Air Force truck to put a turret in a Navy aircraft but what the heck. Too cool:

Larry and Ricky are guiding the installation and are having almost as much fun as I am

Backing a 40,000 pound, 67 year old wrecker truck up to the Harpoon with 67 year old air brakes (we did rebuild them) is a bit intimidating. This trucks top speed is something like 27 MPH it is geared so low so it could back through the fuselage without much hesitation. No pressure...

A Lockheed Martin turret sling/frame was another cool original tool that sure came in handy

Kenny checks out the new CG changing device

Next is fitting the new turret dome. There is a lot of trimming and fitting the dome to the turret. Only about a dozen trips with the dome back and forth from the top of the fuselage to the shop made me realize that next time I will fit the dome when the turret is on the ground. The dome will have to come off again for more trimming as there is still a conflict with the full elevation which didn't show up until the dome was bolted down. Azimuth is good though.

Here is the inside view. The turret matches our vintage interior very nicely

After wiring up the power to the turret the fairing can be installed and secured and there you have it: one Martin 250CE installed. Looks pretty darn cool.

Dan Johnson II · **Joined:** Tue May 04, 2004 1:49 am **Posts:** 659

Wow! Absolutely amazing work. I really appreciate you sharing this all with us.

cco23i · **Posted:** Mon Apr 30, 2012 11:19 pm

OUTSTANDING!!!! :drink3:

Chappie · **Joined:** Wed Dec 19, 2007 9:40 am **Posts:** 987

The turret looks fantastic. What's the story with the B-29 tail turret in the warehouse?

Chappie

shepsair · **Posted:** Tue May 01, 2012 6:58 am

Looking good. Really been enjoying this thread.

Mark

N3Njeff · **Posted:** Tue May 01, 2012 8:04 am

Hey Taigh, How many hrs you got on it since leaving her nesting spot???

Your have my kind of sickness when it comes to using original equipment

A 1953 Diamond T wrecker sure does make it easy for playing with big toys.

peter · **Posted:** Tue May 01, 2012 8:44 am

Taigh, what were the chances of finding that Circuit breaker box at a trade mart well done! As far as the pictures of the turret installation goes.. Watch out the beast is armed!! Great stuff one of the best resto threads on here!!

Taigh Ramey · **Posted:** Tue May 01, 2012 8:55 am

The B-29 tail turret is one of several turrets we have in the museum's collection. We also have a working CFC system and will soon get the tail turret up and operational too.

Yes, it's nice to have some heavy iron to help out with projects like this. We needed to go out and get a lot of heavier tools for the Cletrac's and the Wrecker truck than what we use on the warbirds.

I can't recal how many hours we have flown on the Harpoon since we got her up and running. Ill check and let you know.

Here is a video that my daughter Maggie shot. It was her first air to air and she did pretty well. Its raw and unedited but you can see Ken spinning the Martin turret around. Some real nice scenes. Jerry was flying the Beech as the photo ship. It was a great weekend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzSJPZFYx3E&feature=youtu.be

Thanks for the kind words. All of the folks who work hard on the old gal appreciate it as do I. It's a lot of fun saving warbirds and getting them back in the air and equally as fun to put the puzzles back together by finding all of the bits that make her look like she used to.

Travisd80elcam · **Posted:** Tue May 01, 2012 9:22 am

Taigh, AWESOME update. I couldn't agree more with a lot of the guys here, great work and Thank You so much for keeping us updated. I really enjoy reading this thread. Quick question, with the turret and associated fairings installed, is it water tight in that area or will the turret have to be covered? OH before i forget, love the video.

Travis

peter · **Posted:** Tue May 01, 2012 9:26 am

Wow Taigh that raw video is fantastic, you just need to install some blank firing 50 cals in that top turret for effect!

N3Njeff · **Posted:** Tue May 01, 2012 9:45 am

Taigh, were you able to get up and take the turret for a spin? :lol:

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7818

Great video and great location, SF is my second home. May I ask what would be a "ballpark" pricetag on your finish paint scheme? If it's not for publc knowledge I'll completely understand. Just curious.

Redtracer · **Posted:** Tue May 01, 2012 1:01 pm

We sure kept the West Coast safe from invasion Sunday afternoon. I shot down 2 Japannese hanggliders and 2 Japannese paragliders while we were patrolling up the coast. I think they were trying to make it in under the radar and were headed for thoses hidden airstrips in the alfalfa fields outside Pomona! I also got me a float plane just outside the mouth of the Golden Gate! I guess that would make me a turret Ace? I just have to figure out how to get Taigh's Daughters to confim'em for me! What a great day! :drink3:

RV8er · **Posted:** Tue May 01, 2012 1:34 pm

Redtracer wrote:

I think they were trying to make it in under the radar and were headed for those hidden airstrips in the alfalfa fields outside Pomona!

Ha! I got that... 1941, nice!

Just gotta throw in my vote for this being the best thread on WIX... I just love watching this thing come back to life. The evolution from abandoned fire bomber to its current state is just cool to see with all the great photography and the witty writing/storytelling to accompany it.

Good stuff guys, keep it up! Wish I were there to help...

John

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