Tora Tora Tora mods

[mexchiwa]

Was just wondering what all the modifications were on the Tora Tora Tora aircraft. Were wing planforms changed any? Any info appreciated. Thanks.

[kennsmithf2g]

Air Classics had a nice article on the modification about the time frame that the movie came out. The only wing modifications my fuzzy recollection seems to remember are wing tips.

Kenn

[Oscar Duck]

On my Tora Zero, the leading edge profile was changed to a straight one removing the T-6 wheel bulges and also the wing root trailing edge was heavily modified. Compared to a standard T-6, the mods are quite subtle in some cases and extensive in others...flies faster and a bit better than a regular 6..

[mexchiwa]

A bit better - awesome. I was specifically wondering about the Kates. Does anyone have a pic from above, maybe?

Thanks

[kennsmithf2g]

Hi,

Check out the current issue of AIR CLASSICS. Mine just came an it has an article about some of the conversions.


Kenn

[mexchiwa]

Will look at it, thanks.

[Randy Haskin]

This is also on the TORA website, concerning the modifications made to the BT-13 to make a Val replica:

Two dummy gun ports consisting of 1½-inch tube installed on top section of ring cowl.

Eighteen stainless steel 9-inch by 9-inch cowl flaps added to ring cowl.

Carburetor air scoop relocated from side of accessory section to bottom of accessory section.

Common air scoop for oil cooler and carburetor installed on bottom of accessory section.

Dummy exhaust stack added on left-hand side of accessory section.

Both side cowlings on accessory section modified to vent accessory section air overboard.

Engine mount bolts replaced with NAS149 OH-28 bolts.

Raise cowling forward of canopy 1½ inches.

Installed dummy bombsight forward of windshield.

Installed 26-inch extension plus in fuselage aft of the rear canopy.

Rear canopy rail raised 7¼ inches and rear canopy cut down to match.

Rear canopy modified to fold up.

Two-foot-3-inch antenna mast mounted on top of rear canopy.

All cables to tail surface controls extended 26 inches.

Each wing tip extended 24 inches.

Installed fiberglass pants on main gear.

Installed fiberglass dorsal fin 30 inches long.

Installed dummy dive brakes under both wings.

Rear cockpit seat reversed.

Gun rest added to rear cockpit.

Changed fuselage contour aft of canopy – raised 2½ inches at top and narrowed 3 inches at bottom.

Replaced R-985 engine with R-1340 AN-1 engine s/n ZP105915 – supplied by 20th Century Fox.

Propeller replaced with 12D40 Hamilton Standard supplied by 20th Century Fox.