The FHC (ex P Allen) to reopen …

[bdk]

By high standards I mean having custom cloth wire no longer available within the aerospace industry recreated and then marked with a wire marking machine. Not necessarily over-restored, but restoration to a no-compromise level of authenticity.

Other things like the Me-262 engines had new turbine blades manufactured out of modern longer-life alloys. Not so much over-restored, but rebuilt to achieve a more modern level of safety, reliability and longevity.

His demands were high and aircraft were being restored to standards beyond what had previously been done.

Sounds a bit like what the collector car world calls "over restored", that is making something too perfect.
I base that after seeing photos of some of the B-17 components that were restored before that project got put aside.
The photos showed very bright polished metal and workmanship better than what the aircraft had when it rolled out of Boeing's Plant #2.

I'm not sure of the accuracy of making a wartime German type a paragon of perfection considering they were being hastily assembled by a probably demoralized workforce (possibly slave labor) being subjected to round-the-clock bombing.

[DoraNineFan]

By high standards I mean having custom cloth wire no longer available within the aerospace industry recreated and then marked with a wire marking machine. Not necessarily over-restored, but restoration to a no-compromise level of authenticity.

Other things like the Me-262 engines had new turbine blades manufactured out of modern longer-life alloys. Not so much over-restored, but rebuilt to achieve a more modern level of safety, reliability and longevity.

Does anyone know the specification on those new turbine alloys? When FHACM gave the Me-262 presentation, there wasn't a representative there to give details on the engine restoration.

[JohnB]

By high standards I mean having custom cloth wire no longer available within the aerospace industry recreated and then marked with a wire marking machine. Not necessarily over-restored, but restoration to a no-compromise level of authenticity.

I understand. I'm sure no one has trouble with newer parts being fabricated out of modern material.

My point was rather if we took a factory new Mustang (or whatever) to Oshkosh, it would likely not win a Silver Lindy.

The same way an assembly-line built Superbird (or whatever) would be lacking compared to the work of some of the restoration shops seen on cable TV.

So in some ways, chasing perfection is like chasing rainbows.

[kalamazookid]

Stopped by FHCAM while on my vacation trip today. Had a great visit! Talked to several docents who said that several aircraft are being prepared for flight and the expectation is that they may be flying publicly next summer. As previously shared on the museum's Facebook page, the Hellcat was taxied and run up last week. The Me 262 is also on site and in the process of being assembled. They just hung the engines yesterday.

I'll have pics to post sometime next week. Didn't bring my laptop to dump my memory card and post anything while I'm out here.

[kalamazookid]

Photos below of the Me 262 and Ju 87 projects at FHCAM, taken this past Saturday. I'll limit my photos in the thread to these two since I think they're probably the aircraft everyone is most anxious for updates on. If there's something you want to see more of, just let me know and I'll see what I have.

Full gallery from my visit: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjANLxx.

IMG_9471 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_9478 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_9480 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_9481 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_9488 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_9490 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_9492 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_9505 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_9514 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_9515 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_9521 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_9526 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_9528 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_9530 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_9532 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_9533 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_9542 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_9550 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_9556 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

[phil65]

Wow...

Thanks,
Phil

[Chris Brame]

Thanks! Got any shots of the B-17E?

[Matt Gunsch]

Thanks! Got any shots of the B-17E?

It is in pieces, and in storage.

[Thomas_Mac]

Thanks for the pics Matt, great to see things happening again with that collection. Will be interesting to see what happens with it over the next few years.

[Zac Yates]

Thanks Matt, it's great to see the 262 almost in one piece again!