Worlds only USMC Mitchell PBJ-1J Restoration CAF's Semper Fi

[Dave Fish]

While removing a skin from the right inboard flap we found August 1944 stamped on the inside. Working on old airplanes is like finding buried treasure sometimes.

Dan's right...some buried treasures are really neat, like this one with the month and year I was born.

[skymstr02]

Looks like the fabric guys are working on a T-6 rudder.

[Tekb25j]

You know I didnt even see the date when I took that piece off. Go figure. Well I wish I could have been there Tuesday but I hade to go fishing for targets for the Navy. Outstanding job. I am going to try to stop by for a while Thursday for a little bit and try to get the tail ready for a little bit of primer . I will be there next Tuesday .

[mentormarc]

Hi Guys,

Wish I could be there next Tuesday. Lots of noise making you can do.

Marc

[Tekb25j]

I just had to look at that forward skin yesterday. Man let me tell you that was a awsome sight. It sure has been a long time. There is a light at the end of the tunnel after all it may take a little while longer but when its done it will be the talk of the town for sure.

[Dan Newcomb]

I will be heading down to CMA tomorrow to work on the PBJ. I will also check on the status of the planes that we are sending to Warbirds in Action at Minter Field. I heard that the Bear might not make it. I will update this on Wednesday.

Dan

[Dan Newcomb]

Yesterday was a very productive and satisfying day. Jeff, Scott, Ken and Tim and some unshaved fat guy in a Hawaiian shirt put the lower forward skin up and by quitting time we had most of five stringers shot. It’s going to take at least another workday to finish it. We still have quite a bit of work to do aft before we can put the rear skin up.

Dan

PS: Talk about dedication. Scott drove up from Lomita, bucked rivets all day long, drove home, packed and took a 10:25PM flight to Sydney. It is a 141/2-hour flight and as I write this at 10:00AM the next day he is still 2 hours out.

[retroaviation]

Awesome! Keep those updates coming!!!

Gary

[Dan Newcomb]

The fat guy in the Hawaiian shirt rarely gets photographed for obvious reasons. Thanks to Tim we get to see what happens when the chubby little fellow screws up a rivet!

Thanks Tim…

[Dan Newcomb]

Work continued on the right wing lower forward skin. I just love shooting rivets over my head! In fact its almost as much fun as getting aluminum shavings in my eyes. Yes I wear eye protection but it still happens occasionally. We also removed a skin panel on the right side near the forward crew door, which will allow us access to replace a stringer. The stringer was Swiss cheese. We have to hand make the stringer because it is a non-standard angel, 72degrees I think, but we’ve been there many times before.

Dan





Bucker Boy gets the call to fly to Sydney

[Alan Brooks]

Once again, great work on the bird...... keep the updates coming....... along with the B-24, it helps to keep the fires burning....... Alan

[tulsaboy]

Dan,

Is that a B-26 in the background of the picture of Bucker Boy? And if so, whose?

kevin

[Alan Brooks]

Hey Kevin, the B-25 in the background is the Challenge Publications B-25, "Executive Sweet". I believe she is now based at Camarillo, vs Van Nuys, from a few years ago...... Alan
Dan or Don, anything else to add? New info is always welcome.....

[tulsaboy]

Thanks, Alan. Just about gave me a heart attack, thinking it was a B-26. Excited, but nevertheless...

kevin

[Dan Newcomb]

Yes that's Sweet she has been on our ramp at CMA for several years. When she fires up us PBJ guys get misty eyed!

Dan