Stuka in Chicago Lowered for Cleaning

[Matt Gunsch]

last time it was lowered for cleaning, if you look close it has t-6 wheels, it was repaired by the EAA.
viewtopic.php?p=21199

[Steve Nelson]

The Stuka must have been lowered at some point within the past ten or fifteen years. I visited the museum in 1999 and it was hanging in a different hall..much higher and covered with a thick layer of dust. It was cleaned and moved at some point in the early 2000s. I think that may have also been when they added the mannequins to the cockpit.

A bit of trivia, the engine is not currently fitted to the aircraft (I assume to reduce weight.) Last time I visited the museum, they had it on display as part of a "stuff we normally keep stored in the basement" exhibit (the Merlin from the museum's Spitfire was sitting next to it.) The Stuka engine has a chunk missing from the side..I don't know if it's combat damage or it was deliberately cut open at some point.





SN

[p51]

Sure doesn't look intentional to me. Besides, once they captured this one, the allies already had seen more than a few Stukas to know how they were built.

[Steve Nelson]

I know next to nothing about the inner workings of aero engines (my brother is the family gearhead.) What would cause damage like that?

SN

[Jesse C.]

The Stuka must have been lowered at some point within the past ten or fifteen years. I visited the museum in 1999 and it was hanging in a different hall..much higher and covered with a thick layer of dust. It was cleaned and moved at some point in the early 2000s. I think that may have also been when they added the mannequins to the cockpit.

A bit of trivia, the engine is not currently fitted to the aircraft (I assume to reduce weight.) Last time I visited the museum, they had it on display as part of a "stuff we normally keep stored in the basement" exhibit (the Merlin from the museum's Spitfire was sitting next to it.) The Stuka engine has a chunk missing from the side..I don't know if it's combat damage or it was deliberately cut open at some point.





SN

My original thought was that one of the engine mounting pads may have broken off when they dropped the bird, but, that is too low for it and it actually looks like corrosion took its toll on a water jacket and it just fell apart

[APG85]

If it was up to me (and it's not) I would put the engine back into the plane...

[p51]

If it was up to me (and it's not) I would put the engine back into the plane...

In all fairness, it'd be a pain to rig it up there with all the extra weight. The public doesn't really get very close to this bird when it's hanging up (I know, as I've seen it in person, I doubt you can get closer than 20 feet to where the engine is, if that. I think the wings tips are relatively close to the walkways if memory serves but I could easily be wrong about that). I can understand why the engine isn't kept in it as the public couldn't possibly see that either way, they way it's displayed.

[ErrolC]

From the website of the people doing the scanning:
http://www.neomek.com/company/news/3d-scanning-stuka/

3D Scanning One of Last Stuka Dive Bombers in Existence
Ideas to Reality by Neomek Neomek is scanning this German Junker Tropical Stuka at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. Armed with a Surphaser, GoScan, Handyscan 700, two Range7's, and Aicon DPA, the Neomek team is tasked with scanning the entire aircraft inside and out. The plane has been temporarily moved to the floor inside the museum. During this time, Neomek is scanning the entire exterior, cockpit, engine, and a large number of individual parts that have been removed from the plane for scanning. The museum is having the Stuka scanned and documented for research and educational purposes.

This plane is one of two complete German Stuka dive bombers left in existence. The other is located at the Royal Air Force Museum in London. The Stuka was a highly accurate and lethal airborne weapon during World War II, bombing and destroying critical targets such as bridges, railroads, shipping lanes and tanks. The Stuka was designed to resemble a bird of prey. Sirens that screeched like a bird were bolted to the wheel covers, which only enhanced this plane's image as one of the most feared Axis weapons.

Learn more about Neomek Incorporated at http://www.neomek.com

[Zac Yates]

Thanks Errol. It's wonderful they're scanning it while they can, kudos to the Museum for allowing it.

[APG85]

It would be neat to see some pictures of the interior/cockpit...