Warbird Information Exchange

Gary

Save all these scraps. Cut them up and sell them. I'd buy a peice or two. I have a couple of Glacier Girl pieces and have them mounted on the wall. Would be real nice to have some Diamond Lil on the wall

Couple questions for ya. In the stock picture of the Belly gun postion. What are you planning to do about the Double windows that flank the gun position on either side of the fuselage?

Also do you know where the "D" greenhouse came from?

Thanks

Shay
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Semper Fortis

I grew up in Harlingen and watched them put the glass nose on. I wasn't aware that the nose was too long, I was just happy to see that old solid nose come off. It may be too long but it's better looking.


Aero

I can't speak for Gary, but I'm sure those as well as the upper Radio operator windows will be installed. We have the frames all ready made up. All we need to do is remove the factory installed plugs and reinstall the window assembly in the factory locations. My question to Gary is if the hydraulic cabinet will be removed and install the hydaulic resorvoir in the original location in the forward bombay? This will open up the cockpit for the navigator position.

I'm glad that this thread has generated so much positive energy for Gary and for the B24 and, by extension, the CAF. I will say that it is remarkable to see what one guy with the talent can accomplish...you all who've commented about the craftsmanship Gary has exhibited don't know the half of what this guy has accomplished. Keep the kudos coming his way.
And Gary, although my contribution of the star and bar is still not on Fifi (I do pay attention when I'm in the hangar) I've located an oxygen tank for you that I believe matches what would have been installed in the B24. I'll bring it out this weekend.
Old Shep

I've never been a fan of the CAF and had little interest in the B-24A or the B-29. Whenever they came to town or I saw them at a show I just ignored them. But honestly, Gary has really changed my perspective on all three. Maybe his enthusiasm, hard work and positive attitude is contagious. I'm sorry now that I live so far away.

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Don't touch my junk!!

I wouldn't spend any time or money "simulating" bomb doors,this plane doesn't need to fake anything. The oddest makes it great.

Thanks again Gary and good luck.

Wow! I get back to work this morning and there are a barrage of questions for me. I'll see if I can answer most of them, sorry if I missed yours, just ask again and I'll get to it.

Chris, I agree that there are certainly fewer and fewer parts on the airplane. I am pretty much done with the disassembly (other than inspection panels and so on), and will start back with the fabrication process. I am starting to lose sleep about getting what I've got torn apart put back together by April. But there is a method to my madness. I wanted to get many of these projects started in the direction I was looking for just in case I actually had someone come and help. That way it would be a fairly straight forward fabrication/assembly process vs. trying to explain the details of each project. For example, I built only the four corners of the radio operator's floor supports. There are six more that need to be made. But if someone comes along that can do sheet metal work, he/she could simply see what I've got installed already and run with it.

Oh, and I don't consider this a "restoration." It's more of a refurbishment. The guys at shops like Ezell Aviation, Tri State Aviation, and Pioneer Aero (in New Zealand) do real restorations. I'm just cobbling up something to try to improve this old airplane.

I do intend to put all of the original window positions back in and remove all of the transport windows. There is a link to our presentation of changes in the first few pages of this thread that should show a better idea of what I have planned for that part of the program.

Thank you for everyone trying to track down parts for us! I appreciate the thoughts and will follow up on those items that we can use.

Steve, I would very much like to move the hydraulic tank back into the bomb bay. However, I am not going to be taking anything else apart right now unless I get some helpers here. Frankly, if I get to that project or not relies completely on other people at this point.

Old Shep, yeah, yeah, I know I haven't put the star and bar on the B-29 yet. Remind me before we fly it again, okay? It IS appreciated, just not installed. I'll make sure it gets on there. Oh, and I'll happily take a look at that oxygen tank you've got for us.

Jack and everyone else with the great comments...thank you. I'm not posting all of this for the "atta boys", but they sure are nice to read. I'm posting all of these updates because I know y'all must surely love these old airplanes as much as I do. I'm obviously insane with my constant will to improve things. I just wish I had the skills that I needed to do all of it myself. I'd love to have the ability and knowledge of Nelson Ezell, Gerry Beck, or the like. But until then, I'll just do the best I can. And until y'all indicate otherwise, I'll keep on sending you updates.

Gary

Gary,

Does it look like a full paint job is still possible before next season, with the current lack of extra man power?

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Michael Luther
Yankee Air Museum's
Air Show Director
THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN

As long as I'm in charge of this project, this airplane WILL have different paint on it before it leaves here for tour. There still needs to be some decisions made by our financial officers before I can officially move forward though. We simply don't have the huge amounts of money sitting around to do this nonchalantly. FIFI pretty much soaked up everything we had funding wise. However, even if I have to scuff and paint this thing myself, it will be something different. Like much of my work, it may not look the best, but it'll be different from what it has been.

Gary

Gary, if it comes down to you painting Lil, gimme a shout. I'll bring my DA and my spray gun. I'm not bad, painted a few airplanes and some mil trucks in my time...........just remember. runs make it more authentic!

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Long Live the N3N-3 "The Last US Military Bi-Plane" 1940-1959
Badmouthing Stearmans on WIX since 2005

Be careful what you offer Jeff. I may just take you up on that.

Gary

I think we might just haft to add "LIL" to our line up for next years show

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Michael Luther
Yankee Air Museum's
Air Show Director
THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN

What F-82 is that in the background?

This would be alot of work... BUT what about pulling the skin with the nose art and auctioning it off for more improvements to the the aircraft? She is an icon afterall, and I'm sure someone would want it. Or just hang it up in the museum for posterity.

You know, that's really not a bad idea at all. The only thing is that there will be a firing squad after me if I don't get this airplane done by spring. There is just no way I can do all of that extra work in addition to the self induced work load I've currently got.

Thanks for the idea though. Keep 'em coming!

Gary