PB4Y on the move

Mon Jan 23, 2006 1:42 pm

Just heard through the grapevine that one of the ex Hawkins and Powers Privateers has been sold - the new owners intend to put some work into it and put her out on the air show circuit! I have no other info but this is great news!

Tom P.

Mon Jan 23, 2006 2:40 pm

What about the one in Texas? Will be airworthy?

So is anyone thinking what I am thinking? B-24 GATHERING!!!

Mike

Mon Jan 23, 2006 2:54 pm

Good to hear that one has gotten a good home (I hope that is) and kept in the air.

Mike
I would assume that this is not the one at Lone Star but one that has been for sale by H&P for a while.

Tim

Mon Jan 23, 2006 2:58 pm

TimApNy wrote:Mike
I would assume that this is not the one at Lone Star but one that has been for sale by H&P for a while.

Oh I realize that. I was just wondering if the intent was for the Lone Star to make theirs airworthy as well.

Anyway... good new for the B-24 family.

Mike

Mon Jan 23, 2006 5:43 pm

Hey Mike... yes, Lone Star's PB4Y-2 is being restored to airworthy condition. I am pretty certain that they intend to fly it as well. Does anyone know where the newly-sold H&P PB4Y-2 is going?

Cheers. Richard

Mon Jan 23, 2006 6:34 pm

So is anyone thinking what I am thinking? B-24 GATHERING!!!

Yes please!

Imagine getting the Shakleton involved (is that still going in the US?) and maybe a Neptune or two and/or some Trackers and there's the making of a great maritime patrol formation....sigh!

Cheers

Andy

Mon Jan 23, 2006 11:31 pm

Hi all,

Great to hear that one of H&P's working aircraft will fair better in retirement. I am also thinking of a B-24 Family gathering...but I also like the maritime patrol thought as well. Either way it would be a great photo op.

Paul

Last edited by Aircraft Mech Paul on Wed Jan 25, 2006 1:46 am, edited 1 time in total.

Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:50 am

What about an ex fire bomber gathering?

Tue Jan 24, 2006 2:09 am

That would be great if they keep it in fire bomber set up, and did drops at shows. I have always been interested in the St Paul CAF red cat that does drops.

Tue Jan 24, 2006 7:48 am

michael luther wrote:What about an ex fire bomber gathering?

That is not a bad idea. You could expand on that and go with an ex-working warbird theme which could alow you to include freight hawlers and the like. You could fill a ramp with DC-3s then, but I am more thinking along the lines of B-17s and Lockheed twins used to haul. You could also have F7Fs that were fire bombers (if there are still any flyers).

Mike

Last edited by mrhenniger on Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Wed Jan 25, 2006 11:55 am

This sounds like a plan to me !

How does this sound as a project working title ~

Thunder Over Michigan 2007 ~ The Old Props Reunion

Thu Jan 26, 2006 7:03 pm

Work on Lone Stars PB4Y is coming along slowly but surely. Weve added the radar blisters back on the nose and the side blister turrets are in. The two top turrets are finished but not installed.

Thu Jan 26, 2006 8:00 pm

Wow, what a bird! Congrats on the progress so far.

Any plans for colours yet? Does the nose turret indicate all over dark blue?

Cheers

Andy

Thu Jan 26, 2006 11:23 pm

Thanks much for keeping us all updated with photos.

Question: I realize this project is keeping the R-2600's. Any idea if there are plans to replace the one-piece windscreen from her firebombing days?

Really looking forward to seeing air under her wings again.

Tue Jan 31, 2006 4:10 pm

Yeah it is about time I joined in with you guys! As far as the paint scheme,...its still up in the air as far as I last heard. I personally think we should go with the tri-color blue. But we have a volunteer that is a PB4Y vet!! His a/c was all dark blue. So its really undecided.
And as far as the windscreen...im not sure. I hope it gets changed out!!! They are also talking about changing out the engines and putting the 1830s back on. They are in the process of all the wiring at the moment. When its all said and done...each crew members position and alot of the equipment should be installed. I just cant wait till the day we have Thunderbird and the PB4Y in the air at the same time.