PB4Y-2 survivors

[WIXerGreg]

The YAM airplane does have full waist turrets on both sides now. They had one in place for quite a while but couldn't find the opposite side, they did find a shell for the missing side and both sides are complete in and out, and installed now. They have turrets for the nose and tail also and are in the process of completing and mounting them. They've hand built everything for the nose turret mount.

They've recently replaced the landing gear (hence being able to tow it to the ramp), done some structural repairs inside related to the crash or salvage damage, and they also have a set of R-1830 cowls to install. She'll be coming inside out of the weather when the new museum building is done.

I guess I didn't get a shot of the two together on the ramp either but I intended to.

[ChrisAldridge]

I may create a specific project thread for the museum's PB4Y-2. I do have photos to share of recent progress.

[N4073F]

Holy cow, that's a neat picture of the two tails...and to think that's the first time since the spring of 1975 that those two birds have seen each other.

CS

[marine air]

If it weren't for the airshow attendees, you could imagine it to be a B-29 parked next to two B-32 Dominators somewhere in the Pacific at the end of WW II.

[kennsmithf2g]

[lucky52]

Do they or will they fly?

[CoastieJohn]

To clarify...what is the BuNo of the blue one? Gracias....

[Lon Moer]

Do they or will they fly?

To clarify...what is the BuNo of the blue one? Gracias....

The silver one, BuNo 66302, is flyable and flew during the air show
The blue one, BuNo 59876, [edited] is display only

Last edited by Lon Moer on Thu Sep 03, 2015 10:43 am, edited 1 time in total.

[GARY HILTON]

I hauled the blister turrets to YAM from Borrego Spgs a few years back...They look great! Hey Pooner...is that the old nose turret (Erco) that I hauled from your hangar?
I sure wish that I could have made it to Osh and TOM...missed seeing you and your terrific bird, as well as our Harpoon...Oh well, maybe I'll get a chance to add some needed ballast in your 4Y in the future....a fat guy can dream...
G

[Warbird Kid]

The blue one, BuNo 59876, will be flyable soon

WHAT?!??! I thought this was a wreck that came to the museum in like 17 giant pieces or something and was reassembled? Definitely not in flyable condition last I saw. Has that changed?

[Kos]

This is how she looked upon arrival at the YANKEE AIR FORCE (not Yankee Air Museum, which came later)

[Lon Moer]

The blue one, BuNo 59876, will be flyable soon

WHAT?!??! I thought this was a wreck that came to the museum in like 17 giant pieces or something and was reassembled? Definitely not in flyable condition last I saw. Has that changed?

My misunderstanding. I thought the whole intention was to return it to flying.

[Warbird Kid]

The blue one, BuNo 59876, will be flyable soon

WHAT?!??! I thought this was a wreck that came to the museum in like 17 giant pieces or something and was reassembled? Definitely not in flyable condition last I saw. Has that changed?

My misunderstanding. I thought the whole intention was to return it to flying.

I want this to be true sooooooooooooooo much.

[WIXerGreg]

The YAM plane will stay static and will be going into the new museum building.

[seabee1526]

Work is moving forward on the YAM Privateer. The starboard outer wing was removed and a half dozen damaged skin panels were replaced, leading edge was also worked on...finishing up some riveting, painting of the upper and lower markings and then to reattach sometime this summer.

Both the front and rear turrets are being working on, finishing up internals and working on glass for the rear turret, the front is being put back together with the possibility of making it functional and finishing touches on the glass are being made. The scratch built mount is ready to be test fitted and then the metal-work will begin to finish it off.

Ammo cans and tracks that feed the turrets are being worked up for installation.

Body work will continue this summer.

External electronic blisters and lowerable "bathtub" work will probably start next year.

Birdcage cockpit glass, engines and cowls tbd.

Quite a nice collection of maritime patrol craft with the PB4Y-2, EC-121 and the P-2 Neptune coming.