Planes of Fame P-39

Dan Jones · **Posted:** Mon Mar 14, 2011 1:35 pm

The other day I ran into something on the internet that said that eventually, the Air Museum planned on restoring their Airacobra to flying condition. After seeing it myself again, I was wondering if that was actually a plan or just someone speculating out loud? Not that it couldn't be done (they're certainly the folks to do it) but that sure looks like a job and a half.

Ray Clausen · **Posted:** Thu Mar 17, 2011 8:25 pm

We have a flying P-39 here at the CAF Centex Wing's Cobra Den hangar and I've had a close look at the P-39 in Chino. It does look like more speculation than planning, but if anyone could get that bird back in the air, its the crew at Planes of Fame. Those guys are amazing!

k5083 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 17, 2011 8:29 pm

When Dave Price's P-39 was restored to static condition, it didn't look any more likely to me to return to flight than POF's. But then it happened. So I wouldn't count it out. Especially now, with so many P-39 projects underway that must have generated a lot of learning.

August

steve dickey · **Posted:** Thu Mar 17, 2011 8:39 pm

Serviceable gear box's are the main issue for 39's from what I understand :?:

Ray Clausen · **Posted:** Thu Mar 17, 2011 8:58 pm

I don't know about the gear boxes, but just try and find a set of main landing gear wheels or brakes....

warbird51 · **Joined:** Fri Jan 14, 2005 1:18 pm **Posts:** 263

steve dickey wrote:

Serviceable gear box's are the main issue for 39's from what I understand :?:

Is the P-63 gear box the same? I do believe, I have a P-63 gear box in a crate.

steve dickey · **Posted:** Fri Mar 18, 2011 9:10 am

That I don't know, but since they are two distinct A/C I'll bet they are not interchangeable. :wink:

So I think the same problem is with the 63's. But I'm not known for being an expert, so over to the experts. :roll:

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