Wed Nov 17, 2004 11:02 pm
The A-25 is looking awful nice there Mike! Thanks for the update 
Don
Don
Sat Nov 20, 2004 1:17 pm
THANKS FOR THE INFO GUYS PARTS ARE STARTING TO SHOW UP FROM ALL OVER THE PLACE!! KEEP LOOKING THANKS MIKE
Fri Dec 03, 2004 12:09 pm
HI :WELL A LITTLE UPDATE ON THE A-25 PROJECT.BOMB RACKS HAVE BEEN FITTED AND INSTALLED,COMPLETE WITH PRACTICE BOMBS AND YES THE RACKS DO WORK!!WE ARE FITTING THE YOKE MECANISMS ALONG WITH THE ASSORTED HYD.CYLINDERS,VALVES,PLUMBING,RELEASE AND ARMING CABLES,ECT.THE LOWER FIREWALL,AND SECTION BETWEEN THE BOMB DOORS AND FIREWALL ARE NOW IN AND ALMOST COMPLETE.BOMB DOORS ARE BEING FINAL FITTED AND ARE READY FOR PAINT AND RIVETING.MORE ORIGINAL PARTS HAVE BEEN FLOWING IN AND THANKS TO SOME OF THE WIXERS THIS WILL END UP ONE VERY COMPLETE AND AS ORIGINAL AS POSSIBLE A/C!! THANKS TO ALL OF THOSE WHO HAVE HELPED AND THANKS TO SCOTT ON THE GREAT JOB OF PROVIDING THIS AMAZING TOOL FOR ALL OF US TO LEARN AND BENIFIT FROM!!!!THE WING BOMB RACKS ARE NOW BEING REBUILT AND RIGGED,LOTS MORE RIVETING AND PAINTING BUT GETTING CLOSER TO THAT FINAL GOAL!!THANKS AGAIN AND ENJOY THE HOLIDAY SEASON MIKE
Fri Dec 03, 2004 12:26 pm
Mike, I think I speak for many when I say "thank you"--both for your efforts as a restorer and also for your contributions to this board.
Your comment about the increased flow of parts for the project makes me wonder: Are there any bits and pieces of Helldiver for which you are still searching? I'm sure we have more than a few dedicated scroungers here (like me) who would love to help.
Have an exceptional holiday season!
Your comment about the increased flow of parts for the project makes me wonder: Are there any bits and pieces of Helldiver for which you are still searching? I'm sure we have more than a few dedicated scroungers here (like me) who would love to help.
Have an exceptional holiday season!
Fri Dec 03, 2004 1:54 pm
HI THANKS FOR YOUR COMMENTS IF ITS HELLDIVERPART OR WRECKAGE IM INTERESTED,I HOPE TO COMPLETE ALL 4 OF THE A/C THAT I HAVE AND IF THE BUYER OF THE ONLY OTHER KNOWN SURVIVER WANTS IT RESTORED WERE OPEN FOR BUSINESS!!THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL THE LEADS KEEP THEM COMING IN !!MIKE
Sat May 05, 2007 4:11 pm
This is a great thread worthy of being bump after so long.
Sat May 05, 2007 4:18 pm
Hey, Mike what is the latest? I think it is near being moved to Wright Pat.
Sat May 05, 2007 6:28 pm
Any new pics?
Sat May 05, 2007 7:12 pm
glad this thread re-surfaced. mike, a question out of curiosity...... who is the main source of the replacement parts flow???? wisler??? alan bass?? curt aldrich??
Sat May 05, 2007 9:23 pm
Hi,
The A 25 is progressing well, we are in the final stages of completing the airframe repairs. It was decided to replace the flap spars and replace any corrosion in the trailing edge of the center section. My good friends from Wings of the North came up today to help drill the right spar apart and is now ready to be rebuilt. The guys did a great job of drilling lots of rivets and a couple of guys were riveting on the leading edge while yet another cleaned up several parts in the sand blaster. The turret has been disassembled and is being rebuilt to hand operating condition. We're still a few months away but its finally looking like an A 25 again.
As far as parts sources go there is really not much out there. I've found bits and pieces from several sources around the country. The C.A..Fs Cactus Squadron had several SB2C parts for sale mostly firewall forward stuff, this was a great step toward completing the project. Its my goal to make the restoration 100% authentic right down to an original A 25 load adjuster, WWII working 8 day clock, and pilots wiz wheel. We could have cut a lot corners on the project but I would rather risk loosing a few bucks vs. turning out a piece of crap.
Sorry for not posting current photos I've been swamped with annuals and several other projects but I will get some up soon .Thanks again for all the interest and support
Mike
The A 25 is progressing well, we are in the final stages of completing the airframe repairs. It was decided to replace the flap spars and replace any corrosion in the trailing edge of the center section. My good friends from Wings of the North came up today to help drill the right spar apart and is now ready to be rebuilt. The guys did a great job of drilling lots of rivets and a couple of guys were riveting on the leading edge while yet another cleaned up several parts in the sand blaster. The turret has been disassembled and is being rebuilt to hand operating condition. We're still a few months away but its finally looking like an A 25 again.
As far as parts sources go there is really not much out there. I've found bits and pieces from several sources around the country. The C.A..Fs Cactus Squadron had several SB2C parts for sale mostly firewall forward stuff, this was a great step toward completing the project. Its my goal to make the restoration 100% authentic right down to an original A 25 load adjuster, WWII working 8 day clock, and pilots wiz wheel. We could have cut a lot corners on the project but I would rather risk loosing a few bucks vs. turning out a piece of crap.
Sorry for not posting current photos I've been swamped with annuals and several other projects but I will get some up soon .Thanks again for all the interest and support
Mike
Sat May 05, 2007 9:23 pm
Hi,
The A 25 is progressing well, we are in the final stages of completing the airframe repairs. It was decided to replace the flap spars and replace any corrosion in the trailing edge of the center section. My good friends from Wings of the North came up today to help drill the right spar apart and is now ready to be rebuilt. The guys did a great job of drilling lots of rivets and a couple of guys were riveting on the leading edge while yet another cleaned up several parts in the sand blaster. The turret has been disassembled and is being rebuilt to hand operating condition. We're still a few months away but its finally looking like an A 25 again.
As far as parts sources go there is really not much out there. I've found bits and pieces from several sources around the country. The C.A..Fs Cactus Squadron had several SB2C parts for sale mostly firewall forward stuff, this was a great step toward completing the project. Its my goal to make the restoration 100% authentic right down to an original A 25 load adjuster, WWII working 8 day clock, and pilots wiz wheel. We could have cut a lot corners on the project but I would rather risk loosing a few bucks vs. turning out a piece of crap.
Sorry for not posting current photos I've been swamped with annuals and several other projects but I will get some up soon .Thanks again for all the interest and support
Mike
The A 25 is progressing well, we are in the final stages of completing the airframe repairs. It was decided to replace the flap spars and replace any corrosion in the trailing edge of the center section. My good friends from Wings of the North came up today to help drill the right spar apart and is now ready to be rebuilt. The guys did a great job of drilling lots of rivets and a couple of guys were riveting on the leading edge while yet another cleaned up several parts in the sand blaster. The turret has been disassembled and is being rebuilt to hand operating condition. We're still a few months away but its finally looking like an A 25 again.
As far as parts sources go there is really not much out there. I've found bits and pieces from several sources around the country. The C.A..Fs Cactus Squadron had several SB2C parts for sale mostly firewall forward stuff, this was a great step toward completing the project. Its my goal to make the restoration 100% authentic right down to an original A 25 load adjuster, WWII working 8 day clock, and pilots wiz wheel. We could have cut a lot corners on the project but I would rather risk loosing a few bucks vs. turning out a piece of crap.
Sorry for not posting current photos I've been swamped with annuals and several other projects but I will get some up soon .Thanks again for all the interest and support
Mike
Sun May 06, 2007 12:07 am
Mike,
I know it is probably beyond reason to ask if you have had any time to put in on your 'baby' - the ex fire fighter TBM?
Tom P.
I know it is probably beyond reason to ask if you have had any time to put in on your 'baby' - the ex fire fighter TBM?
Tom P.
Sun May 06, 2007 9:02 am
Hi ,
The TBM is on hold until the A 25 is done, but in the meantime I've been collecting lots of parts. It's amaizing that TBM parts are cheaper than T6 parts and are almost as plentiful! For now the push is on to get the Shrike completed.
Thanks Mike
The TBM is on hold until the A 25 is done, but in the meantime I've been collecting lots of parts. It's amaizing that TBM parts are cheaper than T6 parts and are almost as plentiful! For now the push is on to get the Shrike completed.
Thanks Mike
Sun May 06, 2007 9:09 am
Hey Mike is June still looking like when it is going to be moved? Also is the TBM going to be for you or another museum?
Sun May 06, 2007 9:15 am
Hi,
June 1st is our deadline date and thats what we're shooting for but as we all know it doesnt always happen. We are very close so stay posted, as for the TBM its my personal project.
Thanks Mike
June 1st is our deadline date and thats what we're shooting for but as we all know it doesnt always happen. We are very close so stay posted, as for the TBM its my personal project.
Thanks Mike