Worlds only USMC Mitchell PBJ-1J Restoration CAF's Semper Fi

[Andy in West Oz]

Been a while since I checked in to see how you guys were going. I was not at all surprised at the quality of the work - well done.

[lestweforget]

Just want to comment on the amazing work you people are doing. It truly is a labour of love. I would love to see it in person someday (but doubtful.) Thanks for keeping us updated, and I wish you all the best.

[Dan Newcomb]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the kind words. Work continues on the right wing but flight schedules lately have put a temporary dent in our work force so things have been a little slow the last couple of weeks. Daddy and Bucker Boy should be back next week and Jeff and I will make some noise banging rivets.

Dan

[wwiiaviator]

Just want to comment on the amazing work you people are doing. It truly is a labour of love. I would love to see it in person someday (but doubtful.) Thanks for keeping us updated, and I wish you all the best.

Ditto that.

Ryan

[Dan Newcomb]

Hi Guys,

Yesterday we cranked! Jeff, Ken, Marc, Scott, Jerry, Al, and "new guy" Bill joined me for a great day of work. Scott (Bucker boy) finally got home after a 20-day trip. We made huge progress on the right wing but that wasn’t the best part. Not even close!

The best part happened early in the morning sitting around the table in the O-Club! Our “conversations” and bantering and what my wife would call “male humor” that would probably gag the average maggot put me in stitches! It reminded me why I make the trip week after week. I love you guys.

I include of shot of Bucker sitting in his office at his day job.



Dan

[the330thbg]

What airline does he fly with?

[Dan Newcomb]

[Dan Newcomb]

This is what Daddy flies. Bucker Boy (Atlas 744) calls it a light twin!

[Dan Newcomb]

But Mike has them both beat.

[Dan Newcomb]

Hi folks,

Jeff couldn’t make it yesterday but just about everybody else did. My drive down wasn’t too bad considering the weather and the snow in the pass was beautiful. I was the last to arrive so the coffee was ready and Bill brought in a dozen gut grenades so after the huge sugar rush I finally woke up after my two hour commute.

While the other guys busied themselves with the PBJ Scott and I did a little job on the Zero. We installed the hardware for two lifting points located in the cockpit. Now the airplane can by hoisted into the cargo hold of the ship that will take it down for the air show in New Zealand.

Scott and I shot several rivets in the right nacelle and the new ring that Al and Marc made looks great. After that we went back to work on the right wing.


All of the small ribs and spacers on the lower trailing edge are now riveted to the skin. I had to hit the road before they were finished but Marc and Scott shot up the last few. Before they went up Bill cleaned up the areas and shot everything with gray primer. Jerry is making up the last replacement rib inboard and it should be ready soon. Marc also spent a lot of time getting the new upper outboard skin prepped. Kenny, I didn’t forget you but I can’t remember what you were working on at the bench.


I just talked to Daddy and he is on his way to LAX to fly to Narita. Scottie will launch Friday for (it changes by the minute) Chicago, Honolulu, Sydney, Shanghai, Dubai, and Anchorage and other exotic places. Jeff should be back next week.



Dan

[Taylor Stevenson]

Dan,
Thanks for the update! I'm glad a CAF fighter is making it to NZ! Quick off topic question, whats the status on the spit?
Taylor

[Dan Newcomb]

Hi Taylor,

It is good to hear from you. The Spit has a half dozen people working on it so she is not being neglected. I understand that they had issues with the engine installation. I gather some things just didn’t match up like they were supposed to. I’m not an engine guy and although I have helped with work on round engines I have never worked on a Rolls so I am not qualified to have an opinion on that subject. I think they had a clearance issue with a fuel or oil tank forward of the cockpit among other things. Anyway it is taking longer than we all expected but hey, that seems to be the norm in this business! Next time I’m down I will try and get some meaningful info. I know there is a lot of interest in the Spit and the wing still intends on flying this season.

All the best,

D

[avenger2504]

You guys are doing some great work there. Wish I could help but my commute is a b***h (I'm in New Zealand).
But thanks for allowing the Zero to come here for the Wanaka Show. I think the formation of an ex RNZAF P40 and Corsair in formation with a real Zero will be simply amazing to see (and for the veterans something they never thought they would see again!) Actually this will be the second Zero to fly here. The first one was post-1945 of one the RNZAF brought back from the islands. She was only flown here once and now resides in the War Memorial Museum in Auckland.

[avenger2504]

Dan,
Thanks for the update! I'm glad a CAF fighter is making it to NZ! Quick off topic question, whats the status on the spit?
Taylor

Must be a trend as we had a CAF Wildcat at Wanaka a few years ago. I'd love to see a B17 fly here as we had a few visit during the war.

[DaveM2]

Being reported here that the Zero is being held at US Customs as a 'weapon of war'. Same thing happened when Doug Brookers Spit was due to be shipped down (it missed Wanaka by over a month because of the delay) Hopefully the same thing won't happen this time around

Dave