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

DCarr · **Posted:** Sat Dec 13, 2008 7:04 pm

Despite the destractions of the staff and wing meetings, we had another valiant day on the maintenance front.

We worked on reinstalling our #2 air diverter box, the #4 exhaust, the fixed pitch prop shaft plug, #4 firewall electrical wiring, and tensioning #4 throttle mixture and prop controls. It was one of those days where we did a lot of work, but didn't get to finish any big ticket items.

Two of our members also delivered their very impressive external oil system for our test runs. I was expecting a drum with some bungs welded in the side, but see the pictures of their tank below:

We're on track for an end of January engine run. That will be fun...

-DC

Alan Brooks · **Posted:** Mon Dec 15, 2008 1:48 am

Hey guys, we were in town, but some of Stephs' appointments were running way late...... so...... anyway, I did get these shots, kinda on the cr@ppy side, but its all that I have........ I'll let Don guess how I got these piccies.... :lol:

David, nice looking aux oil tank..... if all else fails, we can get some shrimp or crawfish, throw in some shrimp and crab boil, and have a party......... seriously, great work....... can't wait for you guys to turn a prop....... Now the question is who is going to be first....... one of TR's B-17 engines........ or one of the newer, greatly improved B-29 engines for Fifi!.......The race is........... ON!

SPANNERmkV · **Posted:** Wed Dec 17, 2008 4:37 pm

Alan Brooks wrote:

I'll let Don guess how I got these piccies.... :lol:

Al...did you taxi up in the GULFSTREAM and tell 'em you were going to transient park JUST to get them to open up the hangar doors again?
Shame on ya! :wink:

Last night was the Frozen Chosen part II as the stalwart Maintenance Maniacs had a teeth chattering evening of installing control columns in the cockpit, pulling the air-filter out of a frigid nacelle, removing throttle and mixture linkages for care and cleaning and hooking up hoses and wiring.

I was under-dressed for the affair but everyone was working until well past 10:00 PM.
And such language?
I doubt if Ridgewell ever heard one worker admonish another, "OH DADDY!" (That was our lovely waist gunner Kara to Papa George.)
Of course someone pointed out there was probably a reference or two to MOTHER at the various hardstands on a cold winter's night.

We are starting to scare ourselves with the amount of progress.

DCarr · **Posted:** Fri Dec 19, 2008 5:06 pm

Following Alan's cue:

I'll wager Mr. Gary Austin a six pack that one of TR's 1820s will be making smoke long before any stinky old 3350...

-DC

retroaviation · **Posted:** Fri Dec 19, 2008 5:52 pm

It'll be nice to see one of those cute little baby radials running. Those 1820s of yours are like engines, only smaller. ;-)

Gary

SPANNERmkV · **Posted:** Mon Dec 22, 2008 1:18 pm

retroaviation wrote:

It'll be nice to see one of those cute little baby radials running. Those 1820s of yours are like engines, only smaller. ;-)

Gary

Yeah 1820s are positively GREEN compared to those carbon belching, polar bear drowning, global warming beasties on the B29.

Speaking of which, I could use some global warming at the moment. I am temporarily in Ol' Virginny where the high is expected to be 32 degrees.
Now granted I am sure there are other WIXens who can top that, but I am a South Coast wimp when it comes to cold anymore.

Merry Christmas ALL,

SPANNER

RickH · **Posted:** Mon Dec 22, 2008 1:28 pm

Spanner even though your from the Gulf Coast being home right now wouldn't help you much. It's currently 35 deg at EFD and 37 deg at Clover, er...Pearland Regional.

SPANNERmkV · **Posted:** Sun Dec 28, 2008 9:41 am

I'm going to have to stay GONE more often!
While I was away the troops went and stole a march on me!

Notice the TEST CLUB for running engine #4!
(Tom R. - you will be pleased to see that sanity has temporarily reigned in Houston!

)

More pictures soon!

Happy New Years ALL friends of TEXAS RAIDERS!

SPANNER

bomberflight · **Posted:** Mon Dec 29, 2008 4:43 pm

Very best wishes for 2009 to you Don and everyone that has helped "TR" over the last 12 months :drink3:

My GCW membership renewal will be winging its way across the pond to the USA very soon !

N3Njeff · **Posted:** Thu Jan 01, 2009 9:25 pm

OK, the holidays are over!!! Get back to work!!!!!!! My request is a vid clip on youtube when #4 starts up for the 1st time!!!!!!!! With these tough times......................You gimme that vid and I will send a check for $50.00 towards TR!!!!

On to other aircraft......................What do you need for that N3N???

SPANNERmkV · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2009 12:27 pm

Non-photogenic UPDATE:
Gary Austin, David Carr and I went to the local FSDO and found what where we are deficient in paperwork vis a vis the FAA.
ALL of that is doable.

And Gary gave us some more helpful hints on prepping for the engine start-up and general best practices on other stuff.

We are repainting the throttle and mixture control rods...DARN I wisht we had done that before the engines were hung!

Jeff... we will try and post some start up video on YouTube You betcha!

I am off to go pick up boxes of yellow tagged instruments.

We be taking care of bidness down in Texas!

SPANNER

DCarr · **Posted:** Sat Jan 10, 2009 1:17 am

Getting close: fixing the #4 air box...

-DC

Alan Brooks · **Posted:** Sat Jan 10, 2009 10:04 am

David, you have CHANGED SO MUCH! :shock:

SPANNERmkV · **Posted:** Mon Jan 12, 2009 4:10 pm

Rosie the Riveter 2009! ^

David and Chuck and helpers got a head of steam up Sat. and hooked up the external oil cooler system and pre-oiled #4 and spun her with the starter motor. All noises were pronounced to be within acceptable limits.
Al Maxwell came out and loaned his good ear!

That got me so excited I proceeded to stay until 9:30 Sat. torqueing spark plugs and installing cigarettes. (I really need a life!!!) Royce Mills, a retired C-97 mechanic kept me company.

I scratched myself up so bad Friday night I had to take Sunday off but I intend to go put the throttle linkages on with shiny new AN hardware tonight. Will post pictures of the shiny green linkages in place when the photographer sends 'em to me. (Viva Photobucket!!!)

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11324

Alan Brooks wrote:

David, you have CHANGED SO MUCH! :shock:

Surgery turned out well I guess. I may have to join up and start commuting from Chino- just don't tell the wife what I'm up to!

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

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