Warbird Information Exchange

Part 4:

Left wing lifted from the trailer. By this point, the sun had come out and warmed the ramp up to a balmy 30 degrees:

DSC_0140 by onyxsax, on Flickr

The Avenger gets pulled back out into the sunshine:

DSC_0148 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Once again, a team effort:

DSC_0153 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Team effort part 2:

DSC_0157 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Not quite there! You can see the hinges are still a few inches off:

DSC_0165 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Lined up and putting in the hinge pin...it might was well have been the golden spike!

DSC_0171 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Part 5:

Wing is attached and folding back to secure:

DSC_0177 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Securing the wing:

DSC_0179 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Basking in the sunshine:

DSC_0183 by onyxsax, on Flickr

The crew that made it happen (photo by Eileen Douglas CAF NCS via BillB24):

HGRWH1 by onyxsax, on Flickr

This pic reminds me of the old Black Sheep Squadron intro:

"...They were a collection of misfits and screwballs who became the terrors of the South Pacific..."


Sure has been fun watching the old girl come back together. Any chance she'll visit Wisconsin or Michigan this summer?

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

Now that's funny!

To answer some questions on what's left: Frank from the Fawn Grove crew is going to be coming into Hagerstown to connect up the hydraulics and the flight controls in the wings, the starboard elevator needs to be installed, radio gear needs to be installed in the radio compartment to help with some "ballast" for the weight and balance...then there's the obligatory ton of paperwork and cosmetically, some of the paint needs to be touched up...that's just the stuff I know about. Maybe some of the others can chime in?

I'm not sure of the timetable of when we'll see engine runs, taxi tests and flight testing, but I imagine she'll be going to her new home in Culpeper by the onset of Spring. I'm pretty sure she's going to lead a pretty active life once she gets down there. I don't know if a Midwest trip is in the offing...that would be up to the members who are going to be flying her (and feeding her!).

I've said it before, but you all have done a GREAT job with this airframe!

Please take photos of the radio gear once installed. Also, if you are still looking for anything PM me and I will see if I can help...

Taylor
CAF Life Member

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Taylor Stevenson

Well done!

WUNERFUL WUNREFUL WUNDERFUL
Wish I had been there to help

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"There are ways of doing things. You just have to figure them out!"

Hip Hip Hooray! Looks excellent. What a milestone you've reached and all involved should be beaming with pride!

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A&P/I.A., A.A.S./Aviation Maintenance technology
Warbird salvage/recovery
One day I'll get that P-40!

Looks good to me!

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Jonathan Loveless
JL Aero: Aviation Flight Helmets

Great team effort. She looks fantastic in that paint scheme (well blue IS my favorite colour!)

Wow!! I'm at a loss for words. These Navy Blue paint schemes seem to do something for me. From which CV is the scheme from. I ask knowing it's been talked about but don't want to search through 20 pgs. of updates. Again, a very fine job, guys.

~J~

VMTB-143 "The Rocket Raiders" was a USMC unit that was stationed aboard CVE-107 the USS Gilbert Islands 1944-1945.

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JohnGlen Fuentes

CAF Life Member
NCS Executive Officer and CAF Check Pilot

Grumman TBM Avenger
Corsair FG1D
Hawker Hurricane Mk IIB
PT-26, BT-13, AT-6, AT-19, L-4. L-5, L-9 AND DHC-1

After spending the long cold winter (and early spring) outside, the TBM has been moved into an unused portion of the former Fairchild factory, alongside the Hagerstown Aviation Museum aircraft. Many thanks to Topflight Inc for allowing us access to the building. CAF National Capital Squadron Maintenance Officer Mike Hogan has taken the lead in coordinating the volunteer and contractor efforts to ready the plane for flight testing.





Pilot John Fuentes points out work to be accomplished to get her ready for inspections and testing.

Looking good. A great job all the way around!

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

awesome work.... when the date of the first flight is known can you post the date if any of us are able to come see it.

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"According to the map, we've only gone 4 inches."