Fighter Factory FM-2 Wildcat

[CraigQ]

With the sudden upswing in FM-2 projects, I will go ahead and put a few pictures up on what's going with the FF FM-2. We got started on it back in mid September when it was flown over from the MAM at Pungo to the MX hangar. First up was just cleaning off years of accumulated oil,dirt and other grunge, this alone took up 3-4 days. After that it was all disassembly before going back to stripping and cleaning individual parts and components.



Getting the engine QEC ready to pull


Engine QEC removed and relocated


MLG & Sta.2 all opened up now


Wings off and support stands attached for gear removal


Stripper slathered on and cocooned in plastic for the night



Next day, paint comes off in sheets and then later all clean!



More done since but this will give a good start.
Craig Q

[Ryan Keough]

Wow, I never thought I'd see the day when the paint was removed off that bird... after years of seeing Lex fly it around looking like it literally was last painted (and cleaned) during the war, it's nice to see someone paying attention to her! Great stuff! Keep us up to date!

[TAdan]

I saw this Wildcat at the MAAM WWII weekend a few times and it is one of my favorites. I just loved that weathered look.

Glad to see it getting some attention... but all that grunge gave it some real character.

[CraigQ]

Wow, I never thought I'd see the day when the paint was removed off that bird... after years of seeing Lex fly it around looking like it literally was last painted (and cleaned) during the war, it's nice to see someone paying attention to her! Great stuff! Keep us up to date!

From what we cleaned off of it and the layers of paint, I wouldn't doubt it. But with lots of simple green, varsol and more plain old get after it scrubbing it came clean. I was especially happy to get rid of the pre/early war rudder stripes and red dot national insig. I'll post more as it takes shape.

Craig

[C VEICH]

Compared to the rest of the airframe the motor looks like brand new! I have to agree with TAdan about the weathered look, I like it. As far as I'm concerned the Shuttleworth Spitfire Mk.V never looked as good as it did before they stripped it down and repainted it the last time either.

[RMAllnutt]

That skin looks totally original.... you can see it's got that nice grey anodized look.... don't see that much these days! Probably in great condition too! She will look good cleaned up, but I'd have loved to have seen what here WWII markings were... as they probably were still under all those layers of paint. Oh well... I'm sure she'll be getting lots of great care with you guys though, and can't wait to see her flying again. Do you have a squawk list of what needs to be done?

Cheers,
Richard

[m charters]

I recall watching that Wildcat have an unfortunate run in with a sign in Hamilton on 30L, if i recall Lex had a spare wing shipped up, replaced and flown out. Nice to have spares!
Good to see it in getting a face lift, but it did look very authentic all of these years!

[bdk]

But with lots of simple green, varsol and more plain old get after it scrubbing it came clean.

You know this I'm sure, but for other folks, it is NOT okay to use the regular supermarket Simple Green on aircraft. There is an aircraft variety that is safe for aluminum and high strength steel. High strength steels are especially vulnerable to cracking as a result of the chemicals contained in the consumer variety.

[Baldeagle]

Many years ago when I flew at Old Rhinebeck Lex brought the FM-2 in one day, no problem on that short grass strip.
Got to sit in it too-




-

[Mark V]

She will look good cleaned up, but I'd have loved to have seen what here WWII markings were... as they probably were still under all those layers of paint. Oh well... I'm sure she'll be getting lots of great care with you guys though, and can't wait to see her flying again. Do you have a squawk list of what needs to be done?

Cheers,
Richard

The original paint was largely removed decades ago apart from the area under the inner wing which gave a clue to the original (tri-color) scheme. Rest assured a great deal of effort is beng made to get the new paint done 100% accurately to represent this aircraft at delivery or in early USN service. What remained of the original paint and stencilling was carefully photographed and measured.

[CraigQ]

But with lots of simple green, varsol and more plain old get after it scrubbing it came clean.

You know this I'm sure, but for other folks, it is NOT okay to use the regular supermarket Simple Green on aircraft. There is an aircraft variety that is safe for aluminum and high strength steel. High strength steels are especially vulnerable to cracking as a result of the chemicals contained in the consumer variety.

bdk is correct about the simple green,. We get it in 50 gal. barrels.
Someone asked about a squawk list, the answer is yes, a long one,. That is the reason for all the cleaning and stripping, aside from a new correct for the airframe paint scheme.

Craig Q

[51fixer]

I recall watching that Wildcat have an unfortunate run in with a sign in Hamilton on 30L, if i recall Lex had a spare wing shipped up, replaced and flown out. Nice to have spares!
Good to see it in getting a face lift, but it did look very authentic all of these years!

I believe it was Al Sheves who flew that up that year.
He had a FM-2 that is now with Tom Camp.
He had to trade wings and Tom ended up rebuilding that wing.
Rich

[Pat Carry]

Nice photos. This is the one from Pennsylvania rite?

[sdennison]

What stripper did you use?

[PbyCat-Guy]

I like the sprockets and bicycle chains for the gear retraction system, looks great, can't wait to see the result. I aggree with the others, I like the old weathered and beat up look, looks more authentic.