Warbird Information Exchange

Gary, I like the pocket watch....

Lynn

Try here.
http://www.jamesriversteel.com/floor.htm

Thanks, I'll give 'em a try.
Gary

I can see Gary now trying out the new guns.

gary, This does not show the actual height but it gives an idea.

Yeah, I have that same drawing. I to know that the floorboard just aft of the current entry door is the right height, so that is what I went by when making the bulkhead for the "new" waistgunner's floor. I think it'll be pretty dang close to what we're looking for.

Thanks for the cool waistgunner pictures. Do you have any from the inside? I'm also needing inside pictures of the tailgunner's compartment.

Gary

Gary, doesn't the CAF have a ban on gas guns anymore?

Good question. I'll have to check. Personally, I am not a big on the gas guns myself, but there are others I work with in the Squadron who like the idea. I have been listening to all of the opinions, as mine isn't the only one that counts. However, if there is indeed a CAF ban on those types of guns, then that's what we'll go with.

Thanks for the input.

Gary

Just a thought on the propane guns, We had tossed around the idea for our AC-47 gunship and got to thinking about all the gas fumes that around the plane. When it's sitting at a show in the Hot summer time, at least on a goon you can see the fumes and just one little spark and KaBoom !!!

I appreciate the input on this gun issue. Like I mentioned before, we are just thinking about it, so these posts y'all are making are helpful to us.

Gary

Here's this morning's project. I started back on the tailgunner's compartment, as some material and sheet metal equipment arrived late yesterday afternoon. I know it's crazy how I go from one project to the next, but it keeps the job from getting monotonous. Sorry if this jumping back and forth is confusing to anyone.

The first step in making the lower portion of the tailgunner's compartment was to make a posterboard outline of the upper bows for duplication. Frankly, I screwed up with this particular project right from the start. I should have just made a form block out of wood or similar, so that each of the three bows would have been made from the same mold. The way I've done it here takes much longer and allows for more mistakes. Anyway, here's the process on the last bow...

I measured the length of the other bows and cut out a straight piece of bulb angle...


I just used the new shrinker/stretcher that we got yesterday, but discovered right away that just because you have decent equipment, with pnuematic actuation, it doesn't mean you can get in a hurry. I scrapped one piece within minutes of starting it. The key here is to take your time!...


I used the posterboard pattern after each application of the shrinker. I worked from an index point in the center and went outboard, one half at a time. You can see here how it slowly starts to come to shape...


Here it is after the shrinking is complete. It is extremely time consuming to get this right and you have to not be afraid to just start over if you have screwed up too badly. I got lucky here and this particular piece has no imperfections from the pattern over .040". That should suffice for this installation...


After the shrinking is complete, I had to polish the marks from the shrinker jaws out of the aluminum. A scratch is a potential crack...


And here is the piece clamped onto the airplane. I'll get it clecoed into place and start on the lower sheet metal part of this project next...


Gary

I wasn't really invisioning propane firing guns when I mentioned it. I just merely stated that it was an option they had.



Can you say why (if) there is a ban? Were not talking about firing blanks through an actual firing mechanism. These replicas from what I saw are completely different on the inside of the reciever. No bolt, Firing pins etc. etc.



I think there are plenty of people all over the country that have there grill tanks out in the hot summer sun, do so without incident. Beyond that I think it boils down to proper maintenence and saftey procedures. I would love see you guy's AC-47 do a pass at an airshow with all 3 gatlings breathing flame. Then again I can only imagine how much propane 3 M61A1s (if that's right) would use in one pass. Better become good friends with Hank.

Shay
_____________
Semper Fortis

I think I just spotted this year's Christmas present.

Gary, where'd you get the slick pneumatic shrinker/stretcher combo?

_________________
It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

Gary,

If you find yourself in need of someone to help you bang rivets after the first of the year. I would be glad to pack my bags for a visit to Texas. Besides...after being up here in the Northeast, I would welcome a bit of a winter thaw <grin>. My specialty before I began my inspection career, was heavy structure work. PM me if you need any thought's or ideas.

Paul