MAAM P-61 Updates

[TimAPNY]

Looks like the MAAM post several most pictures of the progess on the P-61. Looks great and I'm very happy that they are postings some updates here and there for us to enjoy.

To the MAAM
Great pictures, Please keep them coming. Some of us love to see some of those detailed shots.

http://www.maam.org/p61/p61_rest.htm

Tim

[wls3]

Tim,

Thanks for the link with the updated info.

Looks like they could use some Hoppe's #9
on the bore of that 20mm.

Bill

[Ken]

For anyone "in the know" here are a few questions:

First, from the photos posted on the MAAM web site, it looks like she is coming along great. To what level is this airplane going to be stock? I see the engine mounts are grey - is this accurate - or just a long-life powder coating?

I know there are always money, parts, and modern safety issues ... but compared to (for instance) the P-51 Upupa Epops where eVeRyThInG had to be STOCK, what level is MAAM realistically shooting for?

Second, some photos show a P-61 scale model with nose art on display. Is this the nose art the airplane wore in theatre or was it too new to acquire nose art? So - the question is, will the airplane wear its accurate WWII markings (even if there were none) or will it wear a representative scheme?

I'm not going to care either way the answers come in - just seeing a P-61 fly will be treasure enough - but I do want to understand what I'm looking at from an accuracy standpoint.

Ken

[Django]

It didn't have any nose art when it crashed.

I've often wondered if it is going to end up as "Lady in the Dark" judging from some of the things I've seen come from the Museum. Seems like it would be as good a representative scheme as any.

[PbyCat-Guy]

I saw it this weekend, at it looked fantastic. i ended up being able to chat with one of the museum's volunteers, and he said that $80K and 2-32 years at it will be flying (if the funds are available). He also said that when it makes it's first flight, the museum will be expecting 20k+ people to show up to witness it, which I believe (it'll be the only flyable P-61). I believe that the engine mounts were powder coated white. I didn't ask what stock it will be in, or what the goal is.

[k5083]

I suppose it was a typo, but I'd say "2-32 years" is about the right range.

$80K? It didn't look that close to me this weekend. It will be a Big Deal when done though, that I agree with.

August

[warbird1]

They could make a killing for that airplane by selling "flight experiences". They should have a "pre-sale", by selling "flight experiences" before the machine is finished. They could then have enough money to finish it off in no time. I, for one, would certainly fork over 2 or 3 thousand for a flight in it. I'm sure there are many others that feel the same way. Anybody know how many seats will be in it when it's all finished?

[hang the expense]

I'd be up for that as well.Wow,just wow.

[Tinknocker]

The 61 is going back to as original as possible! However the aircraft came through mostly with no primer just the finished paint. The aircraft were not expected to last during war time. The museums will have primer! All the original equipment from the radar to the piss tubes will be installed to the original specs. The vert. stabilizers were made to be universal during the war to speed up production so each has holes not being used from one side to the other, and the musuems has been built to do the same. The details are being put into it from the best pictures, plans, original pieces, and the recollection of those who flew and maintained the aircraft. As for nose art, the only person who has a clue of that would be the museum president!

[Steve S]

Based on what an engine rebuild costs these days 80K to finish doesn't sound all that bad- Hopefuly they will be able to rais the money fairly soon.

[gary1954]

I'd spend what little money I have on gas to be able to drive up and see this example start,taxi, and take off. Awsome, just awesome!

[k5083]

Does anybody have any shots of the P-61 taken at this past weekend's WWII show?

There was a nice clean pre-event one posted in the first of the WWII Weekend threads. Below was the best I was able to do with the event underway.

August

[vg-photo]

That'll be something to see when it flies again!

[Tinknocker]

[/img]


I have others of the progress if anyone is interested!

[daveymac82c]

Of course we're interested!!! Looks like it's going along.... keep it up everyone working on her.

Cheers,

David