It Worked!!! ...

[Mark Allen M]

... maybe I can convince someone to give an update on some Navy aircraft restorations.

Last edited by Mark Allen M on Thu Oct 16, 2014 9:49 am, edited 2 times in total.

[Mark Allen M]

It's Friday Chuck ... just thought I let you know

[sdennison]

Know anyone involved with any?

[Mark Allen M]

I don't know anyone.

[Mark Allen M]

Two things I couldn't possibly do here. One is to try to explain what your seeing in these photos (in the technical A&P sense) although it's obvious what the two aircraft are though. Two is to express in any sort of proper appreciation and gratitude towards Chuck Wahl and his highly professional crew for the artwork they are creating. To say these two restorations are anything short of perfection and state-of-the-art restoration skill would be insulting on my part. So courtesy of Chuck Wahl and Vultures Roll, here are a few recent photos of what will certainly be two of the finest examples of an SBD and SB2C to ever be restored. It's quite clear by these photos that Vultures Row has no idea how to restore anything less than award winning. Spectacular craftsmanship all the way.

All photos take by Chuck (who's understandably far too busy to post on WIX himself) so I'm happy and proud to be able to share them with you folks. I wish I could explain what you are seeing but I better not try for fear of insulting Chuck's work and embarrassing myself.

M

[Zac Yates]

Wow. What beautiful work!

[Chris Brame]

Bet they could build a TBD or two if they had the chance...

[Jungmann]

Last picture says it all. Beautiful work.

[DH82EH]

When I saw the title of this thread I thought you got banned again Mark!

This is wayyyy better

Fantastic craftsmanship and some really great images.
Thanks to the vultures row team and thanks to Mark for pestering them in to sharing such insight in to their art work.
Really beautiful.

Andy Scott

[Pogo]

Wow ... what else is there to say...?

I'm especially in awe of the aircraft grade aluminum bent shaft canoe paddle blades -- I want one!



But seriously, they're wonderful pics -- please make sure they know how much we appreciate them sharing!!!

[Mark Allen M]

For those who want to know about what their looking at ...

Pic1. SBD-4 Dauntless getting its tail feathers and final skins.

Pic3. SB2C-1A Helldiver firewall, windshield.

Pic 4. Helldiver fuselage bulkheads. Almost ready for stringers then skins.

Pic 5. Dauntless fairings at elevator to tailcone.

Pic6. Helldiver forward outer wing fold hinge.

Pic 7. Helldiver fuselage.

Pic 8. Helldiver outer wing spar caps. Nearly 13' notice the original one still has a bow even after it was in a wing for years. They naturally bow when you machine off one side of the extrusion.

Pic 9. The Flare tubes in the tail of the SBD-4 Dauntless.

Pic 10. Dauntless with all pulleys and misc parts installed.

Pic 11 more Helldiver outer wing spar caps. 4 LH, 4 RH.

Pic 12. Dauntless top .30 cal gun doors.

[Mark Allen M]

A few more


SB2C wheelwell


SBD wing going back together

[K5DH]

True craftsmanship is alive and well! Great stuff!!!

[LysanderUK]

Surely these are the feet off a Grumman Duck??

[CoastieJohn]

Metalsmithing, like fine woodworking, is a true art very few can well.