collecting Warbird parts and meeting WIXER's

[Project Warbird]

This past weekend I drove 1400 miles round trip to pick up parts and meet some WIXER's. First stop was in PA to meet up with Nathan Milarta to swap out some parts. He got my B-50 cowl and a few other parts, and I got a drop tank.





Then it was off to Ohio to meet up with Tom Friedman for the night. After a late night talking Warbirds and a few beers, it was up early to head over to meet up with Leon Cleaver.



After loading up the C-45 and other parts, and having a great time catching up with Leon. It was off to Wakeman Airport to do some Warbird picking. Ended up getting a R-1820 tank engine and some other great parts.





Tom and I after a long day of loading and reloading parts.



Life is good when you can still go out and try to save our aviation history one part at a time and have such great people to help you. Thank you fellow WIXER's. Make sure you keep an eye out on my web site. I will be listing some of these parts soon.

[tom d. friedman]

where is the ben gay?? eric is a hoot, very knowledgeable, & the ratchet man when it comes to tying stuff down. we loaded near 10 hours. his heart is definitely in the preservation of aviation history........ practically a fanatic. we did all that loading on 3 hours of sleep, right down to the near 1500lb 1820 engine. he most definitely knows his way around warbirds, right down to the plumbing. my door is always open to him.

[Nathan]

It was nice meeting you Eric. Hope that drop tank finds a good home. Thanks for the B-50 cowling. Sure took up the truck bed! Eric is definitely very knowledgeable. I was a fumbling idiot, thankfully Eric saved me and helped me lock down the load on my truck.

And Tom, it was very nice to finally talk to you on the phone. Can't wait until we can meet up and talk warbirds with a few beers!

[Woodsy Airfield]

Gents - Interesting how some of the aircraft pieces/parts make the rounds. Just so they aren't tossed. I'm rather amazed at how much Eric gets moved on a trip - no empty spaces left. I know Tom and Nathan are Gunnn-Hooo on getting in there and helping or collecting....What a great day in seeing everyone again...We'll keep an eye open on Project Warbird ... Leon

[Chris Brame]

What is the difference between a B-50 cowl and a C-97 cowl? I thought they were the same.
Any idea which B-50 this cowl came from?

[Woodsy Airfield]

Chris - To answer your question - I attended a large aution at Kalamazoo Air Zoo Michigan on October 28, 1995 at their Airport location. I believe I was the only bidder on the Cowl. As I recall, I made an inquiry and was told that the museum had an R-4360 on display, which was a supurb display and that the cowl was originally to be displayed with it. A change of plans made it surplus to their needs...

[Nathan]

The cowl on the C-97 and B-50 are the same. I was told specifically that this came off a B-50. But it really don't matter I guess

[Thomas_Mac]

Chris - To answer your question - I attended a large aution at Kalamazoo Air Zoo Michigan on October 28, 1995 at their Airport location. I believe I was the only bidder on the Cowl. As I recall, I made an inquiry and was told that the museum had an R-4360 on display, which was a supurb display and that the cowl was originally to be displayed with it. A change of plans made it surplus to their needs...

Here's a picture I got of their example a few months ago. Took a few minutes trying to sort out all the plumbing before I gave up

http://i.imgur.com/pYj81mR.jpg

(I tried having this show up on the forum and it was beyond massive)

If I recall correctly there may have been another example on display alongside it but my camera battery was on its last legs.