The b-29 that would not die

[phil65]

Before pic's

[whistlingdeath77]

[Jerry O'Neill]

here's some more detailed info on the B-29.

History of the NEAM B-29:
http://www.neam.org/index.php?option=co ... icle&id=65

Virtual 360 degree cockpit tour:
http://www.neam.org/index.php?option=co ... cle&id=852

[whistlingdeath77]

How much of the b-29 is actually flyable and what is deemed non airworthy?

[Jerry O'Neill]

I'm not sure much is airworthy. The tail was swapped with another B-29. The spar ends were ripped and bent in the tornado, so a spare spar was sourced from Aberdeen and cut to repair the damaged ends. I'm also not sure if AN hardware was used so there's no way I'd try to fly that without a total tear down and a spar rebuild.

[whistlingdeath77]

Agreed jerry. Does anyone know that if all possible the engines could start and run up? Could the aircraft support its own electric without being plugged in? Does the yoke and rudder pedals still connect with the alerions and rudder? Things of that nature

[phil65]

I’m pretty sure the engines are toast, not sure about the other stuff.

Phil

Last edited by phil65 on Thu Jan 23, 2014 9:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Ken]

The panoramic cockpit view is excellent. The team that accomplished all that work should be very, very proud.

Ken

[whistlingdeath77]

I wonder how much work would have to be done to turn those engines over. Where does the line stop when it comes to a restoration? Such as saying, our plane may never be airworthy but we can still make certain parts operational. Engines and lights work, bomb bays open and close etc. who has the call on that?

[Jerry O'Neill]

The engines would have to be rebuilt, but the controls are rigged.

[Cherrybomber13]

It's really simple, as soon as you introduce Av Gas into a museum like NEAM your liability insurance goes from silly to lock the doors were out of business. Monkeying around with the 29s engines just to turn them over for the sake if turning them over or running them and she's kinda landlocked in the hangar, indoors, would be an accident that would happen, not about to. Like at the CASC, if and when we do ever get a runner (plane or engine) it will be at the airport on the ramp or in a separate hangar.

How far is to far? Exterior restoration of an engine is all that's really required. You toss in the price of 4 rebuilt engines into a restoration budget and you are holding fundraisers for the next decade. At best pickle the engines and clean it up.

That's my 2 cents.

[whistlingdeath77]

Could or do the flaps retract and come down?

[Jerry O'Neill]

I'm sure they can retract and extend, but it's probably manual and those things are big and heavy!

[whistlingdeath77]

Can the props turn?

[Cherrybomber13]

If you pull the rope hard enough...