Warbird Information Exchange

Just a couple of quick updates on CAF stuff. One of the birds that we have been waiting on for several years has been the Southern California B-25J. This was the former Craig Tims Big Ol Brew. The plane suffered extensive corrosion from its time of inactivity down in Harlingen and has presented itself as a major groundup restoration, although the severity of the corrosion has far exceeded original expectations. The plane was going to carry the name "Pride of the Yanks" but this may have changed. This B-25 is a for real PBJ, which would fit nicely with all of those Navy birds in the hanger. But anyway, THIS Saturday on the History Channel is a program on their PBJ. Here is the link to the So Cal webpage on the PBJ, its a real cool story behind the plane and the people involved.
http://www.orgsites.com/ca/caf-socal/_pgg8.php3
Also on display at Camarillo is the Ward family's P-51D "Man O War". Still a great looking airplane. Down a little further south at Riverside, the C-53D Skytrooper has flown. I think she will be at Midland this year. The following link has some updated photos.
http://www.inlandempirewingcaf.org/our_ ... rooper.htm
The Swordfish is still in Arizona, but may heading to the restoration shop soon. Speaking of Arizona, still waiting to hear of taxi tests or a near first flight on their B-25 "Maid in the Shade" this is a true WW II combat vet. Speaking of bombers, finally some really, really good news on Texas Raiders. The airplane is is being re-wired and should be on the gear soon. The latest update I got from my inside source, is that they looking to fly in Jan 07. Follow the link to the Gulf Coast Wing page and look in the mid right hand page for the link to pics for April and June. Looks like she may stay at Hobby in Houston. More on that part later.
http://www.gulfcoastwing.org/
Not to give away the farm, but there is the possibility that the CAF will be adding a SEVENTH B-25. The Sea Fury will be having an engine change. Don't think it will be ready this year, but ya never know. On a more somber note, the remains of FM-2 N-681S were sold. Alan

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Just call me Al.

Gary Hudson and I ferried "Big Ole Brew" from Pensacola to Conroe to Harlingen, and it had bad corrosion on the wing attach angles at that time. During the week long pre-flight, I drained about 6 gallons of water from each rudder. Sitting on the ramp at Pensacola, is not condusive to long life on aluminum based vehicles.

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If God had wanted man to fly behind a flat motor, Pratt Whitney would've built one.

Alan, just so you know, the last I heard, I'm supposed to be in Memphis somewhere around late August/early September to put the engine on the Sea Fury. If you're interested in more updates on that little project, I'd be happy to give them to y'all as I get more news.

Gary Austin
Crew Chief, B-29/B-24 Squadron
Commemorative Air Force

Alan,
Do you have any word on where the remains of FM-2 N681S are headed? Those of us back here in VA that used to help maintain that Cat before it's unfortunate accident would like to know.
On some other CAF news, Lockheed Lodestar N30N that was involved in a landing incident last August is starting to make progress in her restoration. The props, engines and one landing gear have been removed to allow for the structural repair that will allow her to be back up on her own gear in the coming weeks.
Bob Fryer
Old Dominion Squadron/CAF

Showing now at 9:00 PM on the west coast, then 6:00 AM on Sunday.

Turned out that at 6:00 was the show on the Lake Murray, SC B-25C recovery. I had forgotten that the early 25's carried the remote operated belly turret. Then at 8:00 was the Perserving History on 25's. Aero Trader's shop was first up and then they went to Southern Cal's hangar. I found the end the best when the veterans from 25's were taken up and sat at their old stations. At one point, both cockpit seats were filled by the heros and then they even got to drop a couple practice bombs.
Both were very nicely done.
Bob

Hi All,

I got a chance to watch BOTH of the B-25's programs that the History Channel did. Both on the Lake Murray B-25C recovery and the new one pertatining to the restoration efforts. The flight video that they shot was amazing. Heavenly Body looked stunning in their inflight shots. Especially with the shot of the take-off roll and lift off. The video almost made the old girl look like she was going vertical after take-off.

I ordered the video about the rescovery of the B-25C....but I will be oredering the video about the restoration efforts. I think they are both well worth the price....great video's both of them.

Paul

And this would be which Sea Fury?

T J

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Make my day, punk!

TJ, this would be the one. Donated this year to the CAF.
http://www.warbirdregistry.org/furyregi ... wj288.html



Skymaster, this is one guy that I truly miss. I was working airshows with Steve Palmer (Point Five Video) for many, many years, and Gary and Steve were literally joined at the hip. Gary made several mods in the back seat of Snoopy (T-6) for Steve for filming. They shot some incredible footage from that airplane. Gary was just one heck of a good guy and a darn good stick to boot. I didn't know the B-25 had been sitting in P-Cola that long prior to being flown to Harlingen. Sounds like another interesting story!

Gary, I would be pleased if you could, would, keep us updated on the Sea Fury...... I know you just want to be the one to test flight this baby..... since you just so happen to be checked out in one! Stephanie says she want to climb back into FiFi again.... this time her dad (me) may remember to take a pic of two of her inside the bird!

A couple more updates to go when I get confirmation..... Alan

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Just call me Al.

Al, you know me..you may not realize it. I was partners with Gary on Snoopy, then got the O-2A..remember Mineral Wells?

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If God had wanted man to fly behind a flat motor, Pratt Whitney would've built one.

DZ is that you??????? Last I heard and talked with ya', you were leaving Lone Star for Continental. So, how did you end up in Mississippi? Alan
Sorry for the long delay in the reply, but I'm in the middle of another 4-5 night stretch, with 12 hour night shifts...... Been a busy summer.... all of those parties from halloween thru new years, lots and lots of premature babies..........

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Just call me Al.

Working graveyards for five years was getting really old. Now with a government aircraft maintenance contractor.

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If God had wanted man to fly behind a flat motor, Pratt Whitney would've built one.

Gat an email back the other night from Dan Newcomb of the SoCal Wing. Dan is one of the crew members of the PBJ. The new name will be simply "Semper Fi!" He stated, " What else could we call her? She is the last known PBJ, the real deal." She will have the right side wingtip radar pod and a full set of rocket rails, complete with appropriate rockets... Unless the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has something to do with it! OOOps, wrong forum...... here is a model of what she will look like...
She might look pretty cool with all of those other Navy birds in the hanger!

Also a quick update on the Spitfire.... She has required a bit more work than originally hoped for... the main gear has just been re-installed, header tank and radiatiors have been overhauled, new wing attached bolts purchased, but the engine is not quite yet ready..... A coolant pipe popped off during a flight.... the pilot got it down quickly, but she was already getting hot..... engine got tight, but did not seize. More stuff when I get it... Alan

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Just call me Al.

Being a C-46 nut, I couldn't help but notice China Doll's nose sticking in that photo. Got any full pics of her? I've seen pics of her before, but nothing recently.

I have yet to see a C-46 fly. I would love to make it to Midland some year to see her...maybe I'll wait until the B-29 is back in the skies.

Hey, I had been wondering what ever happened to Big Ole Brew ('n Little Ole You). Years ago, she spent some time at Addison Airport on the north side of Dallas. Hadn't seen her in ages. I have some 35mm snapshots of her around somewhere in my completely chaotic photo "archives".

I'm sure I have some ancient photos of China Doll around here somewhere, too, but don't ask me to find 'em!

Cheers!

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Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida