TEXAS RAIDERS- First Flight in Seven Years- Oct. 14, 2009

SPANNERmkV · **Posted:** Fri Sep 05, 2008 2:58 pm

Some pics for WIX...
This is the right wing trailing edge repair. There were some splits in the sheet metal and some previous repairs weren't pretty so we got serious and reskinned about 5 ft. of it. Notice the lovely lattice-work construction of the cross-braces. Built bridge tough!

We had some distinguished WIX visitors- DryMartini and DryMartini Jr. (pictured next to a wheel for scale!)
and some un-distinguished visitors... Rick H... sorry, no photos! :lol:

DryMartini · **Posted:** Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:08 pm

And here is Spanner helping give the WIX Secret Handshake.

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:53 pm

DryMartini wrote:

And here is Spanner helping give the WIX Secret Handshake.

Dude I love it. We have gang signs. Ha ha :lol:

Alan Brooks · **Post subject:** TR 9-08-08

I, along with my oldest daughter Stephanie, and good friend, Butch Matthews, were in Houston today for one of her Dr appt.'s. Afterwards we made a quick stop by Craig Aronson's hanger at Hobby. Lo and behold, who was there working on a MONDAY!!!! None other than the fearless GCW leader, Don (Ho) Price...... Sorry about the extra name tag, but it sounded good! Craig was also about working on several projects. So, here are a few pics from the visit today.....

Notice that the airplane has many jacks in place, while the repair to the compression channel tie is completed. The raw, machined piece is shown in the next two frames.

Don was busy cleaning some items on the airframe, then back working on the top turret frame....

Alan

Alan Brooks · **Posted:** Mon Sep 08, 2008 11:46 pm

Craig has been working on several projects, one of which includes the newly acquired engine test stand. It has been out to a welding shop, being "beefed up" and having several modifications added, including outriggers. Craig said he was going to pickup the test stand either today or in the next few days. So, one really cool item was the test club.....

One item that Scott H had noted previously, was that the spare rudder had been fitted, allowing the new rudder control cables and yoke assy to be assembled.

Also repaired and new metal-smithing noted, to the nose and cockpit areas.... looking good......

Alan Brooks · **Posted:** Tue Sep 09, 2008 12:10 am

Several other projects and pieces noted are as follows... a re-furbed Norden bombsite and bomb hoist, plus a huge pair of bomb shackles for the external wing hardpoints.

Alan Brooks · **Posted:** Tue Sep 09, 2008 12:19 am

I think this is a fairly new installation, it is a working "pumpkin" for the tail gunner..... Don is holding and then turning (easily I might add) the piece for the pics..

Also in another room, were the rebuilt flap drive assy's, plus the rebuilt control columns....

SPANNERmkV · **Posted:** Tue Sep 09, 2008 8:06 pm

Al... thanks for posting some great pics!!!
It was great seeing Stephanie and Butch again...

The turret cuppola now has ospho all over it so it was nice to see it almost fresh out of the bead-blaster.

Our next worry is IKE!
We don't like IKE!
If the storm behaves as projected we will be on the dirty side of it. Most of our stuff is off the floor, but there is only so much dunnage and shelf space.
And then there's the roof. It has seen better days.

Thanks for the pic Dry Martini!

Gotta go take a work break.

SPANNER

RickH · **Posted:** Tue Sep 09, 2008 8:14 pm

Not sure when I became un-distiguished but we did have a distinguished gentleman all the way from England with us. He was in awe of the amount of work and the quality that is apparent in your final results. The old girl deserves it. Don't worry about the roof Spanner, she's been wet before !

SPANNERmkV · **Posted:** Tue Sep 09, 2008 8:28 pm

Just joshing you Rick.
My sense of humor is towards the self-deprecating.
And I figure as long as I'm deprecating meself I might as well have a go at my friends as well.

It was great giving your guest the cook's tour.
It is easy to lose perspective on our progress with the B17 because so often the only tangible result is what is under the fingernails after the drive home or what comes out of the dryer still looking kinda funky-like!
It is a tonic to see people like the Gentleman from UK's reaction.

Drop by anytime and I hope to reciprocate soon.

SPANNER

RickH · **Posted:** Tue Sep 09, 2008 8:53 pm

You guys are always welcome.

Know what you mean by fingernail comment. I go home sometimes lookin' like I've been rollin' around on the floor ! ( And I have, especially while doing brakes or tire changes !) If I don't go home smellin' like 5606 my wife wonders where I've really been !

hahnej · **Posted:** Tue Sep 09, 2008 9:33 pm

you guys are doing a great job!

Django · **Posted:** Tue Sep 09, 2008 9:49 pm

Looking great! Thanks for the updates!!

bomberflight · **Posted:** Wed Sep 10, 2008 2:39 pm

WOW ! Many thanks for all the recent updates and pictures !!

This restoration just seems to get better and better as it comes along

:drink3:

Jesse C. · **Posted:** Wed Sep 10, 2008 2:43 pm

I always get happy when I see the latest updates on the Ol'Gal!

Keep up the good work over there, we do appreciate it!

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TEXAS RAIDERS- First Flight in Seven Years- Oct. 14, 2009

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