Warbird Information Exchange

Randy, speaking of the heater stopping a shell, check this out. Stainless steel and very thick. No wonder it stopped one on 666. Any recollection of how long it took to fix it and put her back in the air?
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It took some time as I remember, because that was one of 5 hits he took. One round went right through the prop about a foot from the tip, one through the heater, another one either through or close to a the rear spar, one through the ADI tank, (I think that's what they called it) and one through the tip tank, in and out. I remember them talking about the fact that the tip tank still had fuel in it, and they would have had a problem if it had ignited, but the round went in the bottom and out the top through the tank skin. I remember looking at the prop the next day and as I remember, there were scorch marks around the hole, indicating that it would have been an incendiary round. They were probably very lucky indeed. Ironically, all the hits were on the right side of the plane. Joe said they weren't shooting at him, but at his navigator!

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Randy Ryman
Project Big Eagle
NKP Thailand 1966
http://www.coastcomp.com/av/florence/florandy.htm

Ewwww, that was closer than I thought.. multiple hits. The ADI (anti-detonation injection) fluid tank was outboard in the leading edge area near the tip tank. The fluid was a mixture of alcohol and water which was injected at high power settings in the engines. Unfortunately, we don't have 115/145 octane fuel available that would require ADI so we will never get the full power out of the 2800's that they were designed to produce. Using 100 LL, will have to limit the manifold pressure for take off power. On the other hand, it might help our engines last a little longer. We just need to make sure that we get the pressure carbs set up so that the enrichment valve opens for enough fuel to help cool the engine at the higher power settings. Long live the Pratts! BTW, that story about the bad guys shooting at the guy in the other seat must be true. I have heard other Nims tell similar stories. Understable though when your fangs are out and you want to make a gunfight out of a close encounter with 37 mm or higher. In concentrating on flying, aiming the .50's and pulling the trigger, it is very easy to not see those 7 round clips coming up at you. Just ask Tim when you see him about making a second pass and finally seeing what was coming up. His NAV was the target on the first pass. It's a funny story now, but.... ask him about it. Cheers, JR

.............. Understable though when your fangs are out and you want to make a gunfight out of a close encounter with 37 mm or higher............
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Well, fortunately for everyone involved that night (on our side), they were only about the size of .50 cal. coming up. I think if it had been 37,s it might have been a less fortunate outcome.

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Randy Ryman
Project Big Eagle
NKP Thailand 1966
http://www.coastcomp.com/av/florence/florandy.htm

Now, about what else to do besides installation of the right main... well, back to the nose gear. We have already done considerable work in there by overhauling the nose gear, replacing some hydraulic lines and getting it ready for a gear swing test. The nosewheel will be removed and checked... probably overhaul the wheel while we are at it. Anyway, can't wait to crank up the new hydraulic mule and give her a go at swinging all 3 gear at once just like it is supposed to .... sooner or later. Some adjustments may be required! Then we need to decide about how to paint the rest of the nose gear well. It's always something... and NO, Broomrider, we will not paint it pink on your behalf. Save yourself the trouble of suggesting it. OK? This is a manly airplane!! JR

Please excuse my absence. I have not been feeling myself lately. Had a sudden craving for flies and hopping around. Turned out the Broomrider took umbrage with my teasing about her broom and the next thing I knew I was green all over with warts. The only good part about that was the fact that I was able to gross out more girls than usual. Well, now that I am back to normal and have your attention, let me announce that the GGA will be having a Militaria Show on May 18-19 at the VFM Hangar, Meacham Field, Ft Worth. Vendors, please contact Dana at greatestgeneration@yahoo.com for tables or outside display areas. Re-enactors and military vehicles are welcome as they will be part of the show. The B-25, DC-3 and A-26 will have tours available and some will be giving rides probably, weather permitting. Two of the former A-26 K crewmen will be present to visit with you. Uniforms and other military equipment will be shown and sold by vendors. Be sure to put this on your to do list!! Help us keep em flying! JR

And I would be remiss if I didn't mention the B-25 ground school. The first class has filled up for April 27th. The other class dates are still available if you are interested. May 11, June 8 and now we have added June 15. This one day class reviews the B-25 systems, servicing, flying profiles, operations and preflight inspection. If you ever wanted to get your hands on a Mitchell, this is your best opportunity. Please contact Dana at greatestgeneration@yahoo.com or check out our website: http://www.gga1.org She is also running a special if you sign up for the DC-3 course at the same time. The first class on the DC-3 is May 4. Be there for a great time with your favorite airplanes! Remembering the Doolittle Raiders...... JR

The mission for tomorrow is for our Sparky's to sort thru the rest of this wiring to see if we can install the original gauges that were substituted along the way since 1972. We found new thermocouples for the cylinder head temps in the 3 in 1 gauges so that will be a big step forward. The other business of the day will be to get that right main gear installed. Come on out and watch the team work. K lives at Meacham Field in the Vintage Flying Museum hangar on the SE corner of the airport. We love to have visitors come by and see what we are doing to bring her back to life. Every weekend is like an Easter egg hunt! We always find something else to fix! Cheers, JR

Here is an easy Mystery of the Week question! What is that silver knob for on the cockpit windshield sill? I will tell you what it is not... the larger silver knob forward of this and not in the picture is a hydraulic control for the windshield wiper which we have discussed before! So how about it? Any guesses?? JR

iPod jack?

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Magister Aviation
It's all in my book

Lock knob for removable cockpit spot light

Yeppers, mount for the Type C-4A cockpit light... the kind on a curly cord that can be taken off the mount, changed from red to white light and zoomed to spotlight or wide area. There was one on each side. Over the HCM trail, all the lights were usually turned off even in the cockpit, but during the bombing run, the NAV could take this light and dim it way down so he could call off the altitudes since the pilot was literally flying by trying to focus on the target or marker in the dark. It would be kinda important to know the altitude depending on the terrain and the type of ordnance being dropped, huh? So this was a very important tool in the cockpit and we are looking for two good lights to put in these mounts. Gotta have it right!! BTW, K got an IPad for Xmas so if we can get a Garmin GDL 39 to go with it, we can have GPS navigation so we don't get lost trying to go across those very long distances in Texas. Far better than what the guys had back in the 1960's.... basically a National Georgraphic map and a TACAN bearing. JR

Does this look like what you need Jim?

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Randy Ryman
Project Big Eagle
NKP Thailand 1966
http://www.coastcomp.com/av/florence/florandy.htm

I'd share mine but I need it................so I'll be selfish....LOLOLOL.....

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I am rather surprised. Do you need it for your broom?? I thought you could fly in the dark with no instrumentation needed? What happened, the Feds catch you buzzing AF 1 again? There is a TFR in the DFW area on Wed. Maybe HE is coming back to administer the spanking or whatever punishment they give for that nowadays??? JR

[quote="NImrodA26 Does this look like what you need Jim?[/quote]

Yes Randy, that is exactly the one we are needing!! Cool... ain't it pretty? JR