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News on Aluminum Overcast (maybe)

Mon Mar 14, 2005 11:29 am

A certain WIXer (who shall remain nameless...ok, it was Steve Dennis) paid me a visit Sunday to exchange airplane bits. He had a chance to examine AO over the weekend. One would think he'd have shared some photos with me, but , well how should I put it, he didn't.

In Steve's defense, he is getting a little bit older.

Maybe (just maybe) if we all ask nicely, Mr. Dennis will share what he knows with the rest of us.

Ball's in your court, Buddy! :P

Mon Mar 14, 2005 10:21 pm

Hi Dan,

Ooops, :oops: I knew there was something I forgot between dinner and unloading/reloading the truck and trailer.

Yes, I did get a chance to see Aluminum Overcast this weekend, and can happily report that she is on her way back together now. They have opened her up pretty good to inspect everything and replace what was bent in the gear up incident, and are now fabricating new fairings, skin panels, etc. for reinstallation. They hope to have her back in the air by the convention (end of July).

The EAA has a MASSIVE parts stash to keep A.O. flying for many, many years, as was made evident by the wall of pallet racking filled with B-17 parts stacked to the ceiling in the back of the hanger.

I have digital photos of her that I took on Saturday showing some of the work being done, but I don't have a Webshots account, so if somebody wants to host them, I would be happy to post them that way, or....I can send shots to whoever wants them individually. (I will send some your way Dan. :D )

Now if I could just get all of my Fairchild PT parts organized as nice as the EAA has their B-17 stash, I might be able to make some progress too. :lol:

Steve :wink:

Tue Mar 15, 2005 2:42 am

Steven M. Dennis wrote:The EAA has a MASSIVE parts stash to keep A.O. flying for many, many years, as was made evident by the wall of pallet racking filled with B-17 parts stacked to the ceiling in the back of the hanger.


Hey Steve, think they could use another supercharger? I have a sweeet B-22 just collecting dust! Been thinking about commissioning Motoart to make me a nice table out of it! :lol:

Tue Mar 15, 2005 8:02 am

That is great News!

Great job to EAA, Can't wait to see her again.

Tue Mar 15, 2005 8:12 am

Steven M. Dennis wrote:...but I don't have a Webshots account, so if somebody wants to host them, I would be happy to post them that way...


Send them my way Steve, I'll create and album.

Mike
mrhenniger@hotmail.com

Tue Mar 15, 2005 9:30 pm

"Send them my way Steve, I'll create and album."

Thanks very much for your kind offer Mike. I will send them your way.

Steve :wink:

Tue Mar 15, 2005 9:36 pm

B29Gunner wrote:Hey Steve, think they could use another supercharger? I have a sweeet B-22 just collecting dust! Been thinking about commissioning Motoart to make me a nice table out of it! :lol:


Hi Trevor,

Probably only if you donated it for a nice tax write off, as I seem to think they have quite a few superchargers in store, but....you could certainly ask. I know they have a very nice B-29 nose gear leg with wheels and tires, along with an engine, B-29 engine mount, and roll around work stand on display. Maybe they'd trade? :wink:

Steve :)

Wed Mar 16, 2005 12:04 am

Listen to him, Trevor!

C'mon, what would you really rather have: a supercharger table or a Superfort nose gear table?!?

I think we all know the answer to that one... :P

Thu Mar 17, 2005 3:49 am

Dan K wrote:C'mon, what would you really rather have: a supercharger table or a Superfort nose gear table?!?


I like the way you think Dan! 8)

Did you buy that TBY windshield assembly from Jay? I remember looking at that thing a few years back. He was trying to explain to me what it was, but all I could remember was something along the lines of "Consolidated---TBY--Seawolf--Very Rare!" I'd never heard of one before! :oops:

Thu Mar 17, 2005 1:07 pm

Steve's pics are now posted...

http://community.webshots.com/album/297244951mDqbNn

Mike

Thu Mar 17, 2005 2:41 pm

Thanks Steve & Mike for sharing and posting.

Yes, Trevor, I obtained the windshield assembly from Mr. Wisler. Another is owned by a small museum in Allentown, PA (where the TBY production line was located), and a third is still for sale. Maybe I should buy it and corner the market. :roll:

Believe me, there are plenty of days I wish I'd chosen a simple project like searching for B-29 bits! :wink:

Thu Mar 17, 2005 9:17 pm

Thanks for hosting my pics Mike. I appreciate your extra effort to help out all of the time.

As everyone can see, they are banging away on the 'ol -17. It will be good to see her back in the air.

The one good thing about this incident was that Fuddy Duddy was able to put some serious air under her wings last summer. I am sure the owners appreciate the extra income they received from the EAA in that agreement.

Steve :wink:
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