Warbird Information Exchange

Scott, first, thank you for the kind words. I only hope to share some fun stuff with our WIXers and help if and where I can. I learned from some of the best in Indy Car racing in the 70's when we built Indy cars in the same way WWII aircraft were built, go figure. So I was very lucky to fall into a time in history that was very special. Designers like Maurice Phillipe (Lotus 72) and John Barnard (ground effects and the Chapparal) were great influences as they commanded the best the fabricators the world had to offer. There are so many warbird shops that set the bar very high and I learn from their pictures and postings everyday and am very proud to be able to play a small part. To be able to say that something I created is a part of one of these fabulous aircraft has great meaning to me.

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

Not a big post today. The #1 "vane" in these assemblies have two vanes to them. I am not sure why but someone out there probably knows. As once they are assembled, there is no real way to paint later so I shot them with, sorry, rattle can zinc phosphate.



Then the back vane got riveted to the clips and the leading vane riveted to the back up with only four corner rivets.





Before I rivet the lower plates to complete these assemblies, I have to track down some Camloc grommets that get installed in these plates. These Camloc grommets also act as locators in the lower structure. I need to make sure that I can do the install properly. I'd hate to rivet these plates on and then find I can't get the installation tool into the vane assembly...

Essentially, these are finished assemblies given the above statement.

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

I'm not sure why this threads been made a sticky. I find nothing interesting about it. No airplane photos and everyone is too complimentary. H*ll it's just photos of a bunch of tin being bent in different directions and shapes. I could post a wheel barrel load of photos of cars I've wrecked over the years to show you the same thing.

That being said .... Lol

Spectacular thread Scott. Easily one of the most valuable and educational threads ever created on this website. A master craftsman taking the time to post his artwork is nothing less than outstanding here and not to be taken for granted by those willing to learn. Thx Scott.

And of course the first paragraph is my usual bad attempt at humor.

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

Thanks for nice words Mark.

So all the prints, for the most part, say "LH shown, RH opposite". I can see why these and probably all warbirds differ a bit as many times there are missing dimensions and data. I can see where individual interpretation may account for some of the variances. For instance, in many cases on these parts, not many angles are called out. Usually, back to geometry class as you may get dimensions for the sides of a part but will have to calculate the appropriate angles. Good thing we grew up in an age where we had to learn math the hard way.

So now I am working on making the RH side catch up to parts made for the left hand side. That includes finishing up parts for the partitions, upper internal skins, oil cooler saddles, etc.

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

Hey Senor Dennison! you started this thread so I expect 'daily' updates
That shop of yours looks a lot like my shop here at the ranch. I better post some photos to compare, but sorry to say there ain't no 'warbirding' going on here (not yet anyway!) ... lol
You find any good machinery yet? Let go my friend!!!!

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

Interesting factoid, all rivets marked in red were exploding rivets








To Mark, not yet, still looking for right deal.

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

Can you show us figure 28, the magnetic riveter as well?

bdk, will post tomorrow. Thanks.

Work continues on making the RH bits now that match LH bits. Oil cooler funnel skin and splice plate were next, because I felt like it. Then on to the oil cooler saddles.

The pattern from the LH side was pretty close to the what was needed for the RH version. Poster board cut to actual shape and fit to the wing section.





I use masking tape to protect the soft skin during all the "puttin-takes". Then start to transfer the rivet hole locations one by one and cleco as I go.





Bear in mind that shaping this skin is easy as it is .025" 2024-0 dead soft. You really have to be careful not to crease or dent just in handling. Once I have the rivet holes transferred and deburred (dimpling will be done prior to heat treating the skin) I fit the splice plate over the joint between the funnel skin and the vane skin.

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

bdk, as promised.

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

I need to go over this thread in more detail once I have the time. Great stuff!

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Keep Em' Flying,
Christopher Soltis
Dedicated to the preservation and education of The Sikorsky Memorial Airport

CASC Blog Page: http://ctair-space.blogspot.com/
Warbird Wear: https://www.redbubble.com/people/warbirdwear/shop

Chicks Dig Warbirds.......right?

Thanks Scott!

Just bought the 26 book set from the Bureau of Aeronautics so now I have some extras if anyone is interested, PM me.

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

A highlight to this long cold winter (-9° on the way to work this morning) was being able to see this work in person. The pictures don't do it justice, he is an artist with metal. Thanks for letting me take up some of your time Scott!

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Always looking for P-51D parts.

WOW magnetic riveting.Learnt something new today

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Those who think it,s impossible should leave the ones doing it alone..
http://www.spitfireprojecta58-27.com/

Don't pay the ransom, I escaped. Had to shift focus for a short time to take care of a wood project committed for my late son. Building a sales counter for T33driver's daughter and her new store.

Face frame for rear counter, six drawers and open shelving.







Drawers R Us

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."