Warbird Information Exchange

Hey Guys

Thanks for the kind words. 10618 left for Wisconsin today - into a nice head wind

Missed you at the New Garden Airshow and stay tuned for BT photos

Steve


We did get the flap out of the fuselage - took 20 minutes

Boy, it only took us something like 45 seconds to slide it in there. Are you sure you read the fine print on the unloading instructions?

Say Hi to your Dad for me.

Steve

P.S. Where in Wisconsin is the '-26 going?

Hey Steve,

You are correcet about the Denest's, fine folks and really know their stuff.

The aircraft is coming to Waukesha and will hopefully get here today. I'll try to get and post some photos. My understanding is that the local chapter of the CAF purchased it. Henning has way more knowledge than I but there seems to be a program being put in place that will allow pilots the chance to be checked out in the aircraft and then "rent" it.

Henning, can you fill in the blanks?

_________________
"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

The PT-26 was sitting on the ramp here in Huntington, Indiana this morning when I came to work at 7:00am.

Thanks Scott and Tim for the updates. That sounds like a pretty neat program that the CAF is planning. Would love to know the details when they are made public.

Steve

The latest I got from our local CAF PT-26 project officer is this little gem of an airplane should arrive at (my home airport) Waukesha County Airport (KUES) around noon today. Cool!! Lots of excitement and new energy coming to this CAF unit as a result of this aquisition. The detailed photos I saw of the restoration on this aircraft were breathtaking so my hat's off to Mark and Joe as well for truly outstanding craftsmanship! I'm thinking real serious about throwing my hat in the ring to fly it--make me a real pilot flyin' one o' them taildragger gadgets.

On the flip side, I heard the Cavanaugh folks were supposed to be up here to load up the PV-2 Harpoon project they bought from the CAF. Anyone know if that's the case?

Does anyone know if the plane has arrived??

Here's the updates I've gotten so far today.......

Noon Wednesday Update:
Carl called in from Mount Pleasant, Michigan. (http://www.airnav.com/airport/KMOP) They were refueling and continuing to head north to stay out of the approaching rain. They are almost clear of the rainy weather area. Now they are headed for Mackinac, MI (134nm) to cross over to the west side of Lake Michigan. Then they will head southwest aiming at KUES again. What an adventure they are having!
This puts an ETA at 6PM to 7PM range. I will continue to update all concerned.
Regards,
Gary Otto

10:30AM Wednesday Update:
Carl and Joe called this AM and confirmed they are looking at some bad flying weather between Indiana and Wisconsin. They were considering a longer route north to Mackinaw then down the west side of Lake Michigan to avoid the weather and sitting idle at the airport all day. With the goal of getting the plane home and training Carl Gollnick along the way, Joe hoped to get some training and checkout work done with Carl while on the good side of the weather.
I am awaiting an update on their status, but needless to say, we are not going to see them arrive at noon today, and their ETA is “up in the air” until further notice.
I will continue to post updates as I hear back from our crew.
Regards,
Gary Otto

10PM Tuesday Update:
Carl called in from Huntington, Indiana ( http://www.airnav.com/airport/KHHG ) to advise that they arrived safely just before dusk and are only 180nm (as the crow flies) away from home. Of course, they have to fly on the west side of Chicago so they will have to fly a bit further than 180nm to get home. Their second leg was right at 3 hours and they had a steady 10-15 knot headwind. Carl is taking lots of photos so he can share the flight experience with the rest of the WI Wing after the trip.
The weather forecast for the morning is a bit shaky, so Carl will call to advise actual conditions and their plans for the last leg of the trip.
I am anticipating a noon arrival unless AM weather delays them further.
Carl says the PT continues to fly steady, burning 10GPH and using 1-2 quarts of oil per hour. The radio works super and the intercom is great.
Joe and Carl grabbed a courtesy car to the hotel and are resting for the final leg home in the AM.
I’ll post an update in the AM, and anyone can call me on the cell for the latest report.
Regards,
Gary Otto


4PM CDT UPDATE
Carl called at 3:30PM from FWQ western Pennsylvania, just SW of Pittsburgh. They experienced much stronger headwinds than forecast and only averaged 70 knots on their 2 hour 46 minute first leg, burning a steady 10GPH. They have traveled 190nm and have over 400nm to go. They have ruled out a Tuesday evening arrival and are aiming at Northern Indiana for an overnight stay. They plan to be airborne by 4:30 CDT.
This puts their estimated arrival at late Wednesday morning, probably closer to noon. Of course, weather will play a factor too and could further delay arrival.
I will update everyone later this evening with their overnight location and a better estimate of arrival time on Wednesday.
I’m guessing that a noon arrival is pretty realistic. Hope to see you at the airport when they arrive!
Regards,
Gary Otto

Saw the truck there loading up at lunch time. Don't know how much was going or more than one truck, but they were definitely loading up some really big round motors.

_________________
"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

The PT-26 arrived KUES WI safely at 1945 local time. It's an exciting time in the CAF WI Wing. It was great meeting CAF pilot Joe Broker and getting a little aircraft orientation. Should be fun to fly.

I saw this beauty up close and personal today! All I can say is WOW!

I'm signing up for my membership in this wing. What excitement here at KUES.

Here's a couple pictures. Remember, I'm a "Rockape" not a photographer. Don't mean to take liberties in posting these but she's too cool not to share.

_________________
"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

Very nice.

I'd like to look her over the next time I'm in the area, but it doesn't look like they parked at the CAF hangar. Wazzup?

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

Good call, Dude. Temporary home until all is ready, but she's here and in good hands!

What a Sweetie!

_________________
"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

At the WIXLA meeting, check on whether we still have the right to say 'airplane'.
I'd like to know more about a PT-23. That's the first photo I can remember seeing of it and only became aware of its existence when a sixtyish friend told me she used to fly one. Is it basically a PT-19 or 26 with a round motor?

Doug

_________________
"I love the smell of 100LL in the morning."