Warbird Information Exchange

Dave, Ethan and Miguel got the end of the nacelle cleaned out and primed on the inside yesterday and today. Then they placed it back on ready to go. Now if only that last piece would come back from plating to finish the landing gear, the wheel well would be almost done. Could let her down on her own feet again. Oh joy!! JR

Hanging a replacement engine should be a piece of cake, right? Not so with this beast. It was set up for the right side so had to be changed to the left side configuration. Naturally, nothing goes as planned. See next picture for solution. JR

Do these things need explanation? Well, on second thought, sometimes, one needs a bigger hammer or a rubber by-gawd to make things go together. The team has learned that a stern talking to doesn't give satisfying results when it comes to obtaining cooperation from a balky replacement engine. JR

This is a shot taken through the aft compartment door at the electronic equipment that was installed back there. It is one of the areas we will tackle next week to clean up the equipment and re-install them. Some of the instruments were for the camera operator's navigation or to run the cameras that could be installed in the bomb bay. At the last, when the airplane was used exclusively for pilot training, most of the actual camera controls were removed and covers put over the resulting blank spaces on the left hand console. We do not intend to fill those at the present time, but perhaps later if we find some of the equipment. JR

Last but not least department... what happens when you hear an unexpected click like oh say from a camera and you drop your screwdriver deep down inside the tail. That's all I am going to say about that!! JR

Glad to see you have a "proper" U.S. Flag flying. I had a very large one hanging in my hangar and only one person in 20 years ever noticed it! (The difference that is)

Well, OBwon, it would appear that you are the only one who noticed. Have not gotten any comments on the Flag of the Republic or the US Flag besides yours. Make me wonder if people don't know or don't care enough to answer??? Whazzzup? JR

It's the 50 star flag flying in a WWII context that always catches my eye as very wrong.

OTOH, I had a history teacher in middle school who had a 49 star flag at the back of his class as a test of observation.

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Lest Hero-worship raise it's head and cloud our vision, remember that World War II was fought and won by the same sort of twenty-something punks we wouldn't let our daughters date.

I have to agree with both your statement and your quote about 20 something yr old punks we wouldn't let date our daughters who go out and win our wars!! As a dad with 3 daughters, there is a ring of truth in that!! But then one of my daughters went to the AF Academy and paid her dues. Another was married to the AF so she did her part as well. The 3rd went to U of Tx and was the blacksheep of the family to her Aggie dad, but she has seen the error of her ways now that she has her own daughter to raise.
On another note, today is the last day to make comments on the FAA proposal to change or eliminate the historic ride programs in warbirds. There are not all that many comments being sent in so I have to wonder about our community here. Are there just wannabees and talkers here or are there people who will help us take a stand for the continuation of the ride program? After all, if we are serious about preserving and flying these airplanes, there has to be a way of funding them. Somebody has to write the check. Otherwise, we might as well scrap them as was started after WWII. Special K will not be able to give rides without the Exemption. Help us out please! http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComm ... -0374-0001

I have always wondered about a 49 star flag. Was one ever designed? After all Hawaii and Alaska didn't come in the same day did they?
Also has anyone beside our CIC saluted or concieved of the 57 star flag?

The 49 star flag had seven rows of seven stars. Alaska became a state in January '59, with Hawaii following in August so there was a little window there.

I'm sure flag designs covering all the possible permutations of commonwealths and territories becoming states have been worked out well in advance.

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Lest Hero-worship raise it's head and cloud our vision, remember that World War II was fought and won by the same sort of twenty-something punks we wouldn't let our daughters date.

There are those in the Lone Star Republic who wouldn't mind if the US Flag dropped back to 49 stars again!! Just kidding!! But, you are correct about the 1959 addition of Alaska and Hawaii to make 50 stars. The only thing now left is for some upstanding citizen of the Republic to answer the question about which way the Texas flag is facing... left or right?? Hmmmmmm.. Bueller, Bueller, anyone, anyone, Muddy Boots, O2 Ladypilot, Obwon, anyone?? I hate talking to myself. The doctor told me to knock it off so somebody please answer!!! JR in TX

Dr. Robert McDaniel was a B25 pilot and Tuskegee Airman. We are very proud to have him sign our three blades from the Pacific Prowler. These will be displayed in our area of the VFM hangar when the bases are finished. The three Tuskegee Airmen all said they would like to be on hand when Special Kay takes to the air. Can hardly wait for that day!!! It would indeed be an honor to have them there that fine day!! The team has been pulling double duty between the engine replacement on our DC3 and trying to continue the work on K. Got a report today that the last of our brake parts were delivered to the shop so that the brake overhaul can be completed. The plating shop is talking now about delivering our last piece of the puzzle for the completion and installation of our left main gear. Then she will be back on her feet for a little while until we start the right main gear overhaul. Ta dah. I love it when a plan comes together. Let's see, I think this is Plan Number 813. Stay tuned. JR

I'm not a Texan. I still have all my teeth.

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"I knew the jig was up when I saw the P-51D-20-NA Mustang blue-nosed bastards from Bodney, and by the way the blue was more of a royal blue than an indigo and the inner landing gear interiors were NOT green, over Berlin."

How about we make you an honorary Texan? Poof... there you go! You are an honorary Texan now. Feel better? JR