I know its been forever since I have posted anything here about 062 but better late than never...I hope
Things have been a bit quiet as we have hit a few air shows. we have some significant ones coming up so we wanted to address our paint problem that has been plaguing us for several years now.
A paint manufacturer was kind enough to donate the paint to us which we greatly appreciate. Unfortunately it turned into an ordeal that has cost the museum and my business, Vintage Aircraft, quite a lot. First the paint that was sent to us, directly from the Aerospace paint factory, had the wrong catalyst which we didn't figure out until we had painted the aircraft. It turns out the only way to remove the paint that would never harden was to scrape it off with razor blades and then wash the residue with acetone and rags. Then we could re shoot the paint.
The paint company was kind enough to rush us out another batch of paint.
I had decided to shut Vintage Aircraft down for a week so we could all go and do the initial clean, prep, prime and paint. Sadly the bad catalyst cost us a another week and was, to say the least, financially very hard to bear.
Although when we rolled the Harpoon out of that hangar after we painted her it just took your breath away as it looked that good. We were very happy with her new/original look. It looked so good that whenever I was stressing out about the position my business was now in I would just go and take a look at the Harpoon and it seemed to take all of the worries away for a little while.
Not long after that paint we made some covers for the cockpit, turret and astrodome to protect the glass and the interior from the harsh sun. It worked but we also soon noticed that the paint had now started to fade away almost immediately. You could easily see the difference under covers and even under the bungee cords that were holding the covers on.
A good comparison shot of the flap that has been out of the sun for the most part. Sea Blue that transitioned to Sea Foam
Here is the door for the GPU and I had just removed a decal so the contrast is pretty dramatic.
More phone calls to the factory and they said that of course the paint should last 10 years not just one. They sent out their paint reps to take a look and they measured the paint and electronically tested it and determined that it was the proper thickness and they figured that we had simply gotten a bad batch of paint.
The company offered and did send us a new batch of paint which is when I started to have flashbacks about putting the manpower out to paint the Harpoon once again. Oh crap here we go again! After expressing my concerns about what we had gone through before they felt bad and said they would try to find someone to paint it for us. What a relief! To make a really long story a bit shorter we spend the last year plus going back and forth and the paint company said well, we can't afford to paint it for you so since we sent you a new ship set of paint we have done our warranty work and you are on your own. Cool, thanks... and we had taken so long for the negotiations over the last year that the paint they had sent was now out of date and past its shelf life.
Here is the frustrating part for me and all of us here at our museum. We are beyond grateful that the paint company gave us the paint in the first place. Then their mistake with the catalyst cost us dearly but they sent another batch. Then the new paint started fading in less than a year. It is hard to get upset when they gifted us the paint to begin with but in the overall scheme of things the paint becomes secondary to the amount of effort and expense that goes into the preparation and then the painting itself. Having to do this all over again so soon is really hard but what can you say to the folks that gave you the gift to begin with. Looking the old gift horse in the mouth...
I wonder if we are going to have to paint the aircraft every year or two. I sure hope not.
We also had ourselves up against a wall with some upcoming airshows and filming for a movie so we needed to get her all fixed up and looking good again. We just buckled down and rallied the troops to get her cleaned, prepped and repainted. First was two weekends ago we put the word out to come and help us clean the ol gal and scuff the paint in preparation for paint. A few showed up and we had about 9 of us began scrubbing her all over.
We were able to get her in what we call the Dog House. A pole barn like structure built on the back of the surviving WWII hangars here at Stockton Field.
And the work begins. Scrubbing her clean and scuffing the paint so the topcoat will adhere properly.
Here is Sydney showing her prune like hands. I don't think anyone had any fingerprints left after we were all done that day
The cleaning and scrubbing crew at the end of the day. Many others came and went throughout the day to lend a hand. Thank you all!
Throughout the next week and weekend we did the final cleaning and prep for the new paint. Going all over the aircraft to remove all traces of dirt, oil or dust. We also masked off the star and bars and everything else that needed protection
Here are the two guys who volunteered to do the actual shooting of the paint. Our own Jordan, painting guru extrodinaire on the left and one of our former employees Cade who shot paint on the Harpoon the first time around. Cade works as a builder and painter for Chuck in Cameron Park on Mr. Slatterys SBD and SB2C. Thanks guys for the shootin'!
We used a paint pot that my Dad bought at a garage sale probably 30+ years ago. An old Binks pot that we used the first time around on the Harpoon and on occasion in the shop. Great Pot Pops! Hopefully he is looking down on us and laughing at the entertaining reality show! I miss you dad
We made a stencil for the occasion and painted it on the backs of the PV-2D shirts for the volunteers that helped out. Painted with the same Non Specular Sea Blue that we used on the Harpoon itself. I hope it doesn't fade too soon!!
Thank you all for coming out and helping. Thank you too for your support whether it is physically, financially, verbally or just in spirit. We all appreciate it.
A very special thanks to you Bill for your ongoing support and help with the Harpoon and everything else. A great bunch of folks for sure!
_________________
To donate to the PV-2D project via PayPal click here
http://www.twinbeech.com/84062restoration.htmWe brought her from:
to this in 3 months:
Help us get her all the way back
All donations are tax deductible as the Stockton Field Aviation Museum is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Tell a friend as the Harpoon needs all the help she can get.
Thank you!
Taigh Ramey
Vintage Aircraft, Stockton, California
http://www.twinbeech.com'KEEP ‘EM FLYING…FOR HISTORY!'
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