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

[Dan Newcomb]

Here is a little video of the engine test on the Spit. It sounds pretty good considering it’s a V-12. Personally I would prefer the sound of a pair of Wright R-2600s.

Good job guys!

Dan


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26rJkfAysos

[Dan Newcomb]

I just posted a Spitfire update in the main forum. I think it will fly in the show tomorrow!

[Dan Newcomb]

It has been a very busy summer at the hangar with a lot of things happening and we had several distractions both good and bad. First the entire hangar has been in a state of chaos all summer while the new firewall and office space on the east side was under construction. All of our desks and office equipment had to be moved into our work areas to make room for the construction. Working and moving airplanes became a real challenge. Space is always at a premium but this coupled with the addition of the Mustang really had an impact. The QB air show and the Camarillo air show as well as several other events in the museum hangar slow things down. Also it is vacation time so crewmembers are otherwise occupied for weeks at a time. As mentioned we now have a Mustang and finally after too many years our Spitfire is back in the air. All things considered it was a great summer!

Now while all this was going on progress continued on the PBJ. This is an attempt to bring folks up to speed. As spring turned to summer we finished rebuilding the right wing. We need to attach the wing to the airplane to drill out the new attach angle but before we can do this we have to rebuild the structure in the left fuel bay.

If you have been following this thread you know all about corrosion and that the worst area we found was in both main fuel bays. We spent over two years rebuilding the right bays thinking that the left side was good to go. Well once we started looking at the left side we found we weren’t going to get off quite that easily. We had to replace six hat channels and two webs. This little job has taken all summer to get to the rivet shooting stage. After we finish with the bays we will once again have enough structure to move the airplane. We plan on hanging the right wing in a few months as well as getting the wiring done. Soon we will start surveying the left wing. If it is in the same shape that the right wing was in that will mean another years worth of work on that assembly. Meanwhile work on the nacelles and the nose flooring and several other projects goes on. We have a great crew and one day I hope to look at the parts storage shelves and find them empty!



Dan

[gregv]

Dan

been following this for some time, always interesting to see what you guys have been up to. Great work so far!

Was reading my old Squadron-Signal "B-25 At War" book yesterday, and noticed that some PBJ-1J's had tail hooks and wingtip radar pods; any idea if your aircraft ever had those installed? If so, any plans to reinstate these items?

Just curious.

thanks for the ongoing updates!

cheers

greg v.

[Dan Newcomb]

Only one had a tail hook that I am aware. I Googled the following..


PBH-1H 43-4700 (BuNo 35277) was modified for aircraft carrier catapult launch and arrest retrievals. The first landings and catapult takeoffs took place aboard the USS Shangri La (CV-38) on November 15, 1944. Although the experiment was successful, no further work on a carrier-based Mitchell took place since American advances in the Pacific made such an aircraft unnecessary.

This model depicts exactly what our plane will look like. Radar pod and rockets. This should satisfy the acurate paint freeks.

Dan

[gregv]

Dan

thanks for the response. First thing I saw when I checked this thread was the pic of the model showing the radar pod

Interesting info on the hooked example, thanks for the info!

cheers

gv

[Dan Newcomb]

Congratulations to friends and fellow wing members Chris Rushing and Ken Gottschall for their 3rd and 4th place finishes in the Silver T-6 Race at Reno!

[Dan Newcomb]

We had a big crew this week and made good progress. We are focusing on getting the bird ready for the electrical wiring. The fuel bays are now finished and ready for paint. We will get the right nacelle back in place in a few more days. We pulled the nose back off to give better access for the wiring. We still have quite a few little details to finish before we can wire but we are getting there!

Dan

[Django]

Lookin' good!

[Holedigger]

Looking good, lots of progress made, she is looking more and more like an airplane! Great Job Crew!

[Dan Newcomb]

Gee I wonder what happened to my last two months worth of postings?

[Alan Brooks]

Hey Dano!

I think the greatest, latest WIX crash got you... (and many others too!). Great work on the girl in blue and may you girls and guys be blessed with $$$ to get all of those various tanks ordered!!!! Then for engines, carbs, props, accessories......... and on.... and on..... I know the SoCal Wing will get this done!

Alan Brooks

[Dan Newcomb]

Thanks Al. We spent yesterday with Jeff Nelson from Custom Connections of Arizona setting up a wiring schedule for the bird. It looks like work will start in mid March!

Dan

[Dan Newcomb]

Unfortunately the web crash on this site wiped out two months of updates and pictures. Yesterday we started to set up for our right wing installation that should take place next week. I love putting big parts on airplanes!

[SPANNERmkV]

Putting big parts on is BIG FUN!

When are you going to paint the Invasion Stripes?

Keep up the great work!

SPANNER