Stratford Corsair Update!
Sat Mar 29, 2008 5:36 pm
Just an Update!
We all showed up about 11:00am and with the help of Tony and Tim from Three Wing Aviation we started our closer look at Corsair FG-1D 92460.
After measuring the nuts and bolts on the pylon attach fitting we squirted the them with PB blaster. This has been done several times over the last two months. The volunteer with the "big" wrench couldn't make it so we were unable to try turning the nuts. They will be tried in the next 2-3 days.
We then opened the accessory section on the left side of the Corsair.
It was a simple replacement sheet of aluminum that was screwed directly to the Dsuz fastener flange, so there was no hinged door for access to the lifting lug as on every other Corsair out there!
It was screwed on with slotted, pan head screws and once the paint was scrapped away from the screws, they came off fairly easily. There was some slow moving bees and lots of bird nesting material in the accessory section. We didn't clean it out totally, as we just wanted to look at the condition of the lugs and the engine mount. It looks sound and even though the corrosion on the wing area of the spar is bad, as it enters the accessory section the ex-foliation only continues about 12 inches or so. The middle, top part of the spar (the highest part) looks pretty sound.
The lugs are in place put rusted in the stowed position. We squirted PB Blaster on them and closed the panel back up. Didn't bother to open the right side as it had the same appearance as the left, and we know know that it'll open up fairly easy, even if we have to shear the heads of the screws off any tough ones.
We next tackled the lifting tube, which was covered by a very simple sheet of aluminum with four Phillips head screws. It was oily/dirty in side but had no apparent corrosion in the area. Once we sealed that back up we went for lunch!
I was surprised at how much was still in the accessory area. From my limited knowledge, about the only thing missing was the tank (oil?) mounted to the firewall. The brackets were there and there was a lot of duct work coming from the rear of the engine. Throttle linkages etc., were still in place but disconnected.
It was a good first day look at the aircraft and I'm hoping the planning and lift go smoothly from this point on.
I'm having trouble with posting pics right now, so go to Flickr to see some photos of today's exploration!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11465521@N ... 956720231/
I'll keep everyone posted.
Blue skies,
Jerry
We all showed up about 11:00am and with the help of Tony and Tim from Three Wing Aviation we started our closer look at Corsair FG-1D 92460.
After measuring the nuts and bolts on the pylon attach fitting we squirted the them with PB blaster. This has been done several times over the last two months. The volunteer with the "big" wrench couldn't make it so we were unable to try turning the nuts. They will be tried in the next 2-3 days.
We then opened the accessory section on the left side of the Corsair.
It was a simple replacement sheet of aluminum that was screwed directly to the Dsuz fastener flange, so there was no hinged door for access to the lifting lug as on every other Corsair out there!
It was screwed on with slotted, pan head screws and once the paint was scrapped away from the screws, they came off fairly easily. There was some slow moving bees and lots of bird nesting material in the accessory section. We didn't clean it out totally, as we just wanted to look at the condition of the lugs and the engine mount. It looks sound and even though the corrosion on the wing area of the spar is bad, as it enters the accessory section the ex-foliation only continues about 12 inches or so. The middle, top part of the spar (the highest part) looks pretty sound.
The lugs are in place put rusted in the stowed position. We squirted PB Blaster on them and closed the panel back up. Didn't bother to open the right side as it had the same appearance as the left, and we know know that it'll open up fairly easy, even if we have to shear the heads of the screws off any tough ones.
We next tackled the lifting tube, which was covered by a very simple sheet of aluminum with four Phillips head screws. It was oily/dirty in side but had no apparent corrosion in the area. Once we sealed that back up we went for lunch!
I was surprised at how much was still in the accessory area. From my limited knowledge, about the only thing missing was the tank (oil?) mounted to the firewall. The brackets were there and there was a lot of duct work coming from the rear of the engine. Throttle linkages etc., were still in place but disconnected.
It was a good first day look at the aircraft and I'm hoping the planning and lift go smoothly from this point on.
I'm having trouble with posting pics right now, so go to Flickr to see some photos of today's exploration!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11465521@N ... 956720231/
I'll keep everyone posted.
Blue skies,
Jerry
Sat Mar 29, 2008 8:55 pm
Jerry, just curious did you find any old beer cans in there?
Sat Mar 29, 2008 9:21 pm
Heat the Nuts and bolts up with a torch, see if that helps break them loose, just be careful and have a fire bottle ready just in case
Sat Mar 29, 2008 9:40 pm
I musta been snoozing, what's the plan for this Corsair?
Sat Mar 29, 2008 10:05 pm
Ken;
No beer cans yet but there was a 37 year-old gum wrapper!
Maxum;
The plan is to take it down, stop the corrosion, restore it and place it back on the pylon. It isn't the best choice for long term preservation, but it is better than doing nothing and it eventually falls off the pole.
Info on the FG-1D:
http://www.warbirdregistry.org/corsairr ... 92460.html
Jerry
No beer cans yet but there was a 37 year-old gum wrapper!
Maxum;
The plan is to take it down, stop the corrosion, restore it and place it back on the pylon. It isn't the best choice for long term preservation, but it is better than doing nothing and it eventually falls off the pole.
Info on the FG-1D:
http://www.warbirdregistry.org/corsairr ... 92460.html
Jerry
Sat Mar 29, 2008 10:29 pm
Put that wrapper on ebay, Jerry from someone who grew up in lordship , and worked at bridgeport for many years just want to say thanks to you and your crew. Your doing a great thing for the airport and the Vets and workers.
Sat Mar 29, 2008 11:23 pm
kenlyco wrote:Put that wrapper on ebay, Jerry from someone who grew up in lordship , and worked at bridgeport for many years just want to say thanks to you and your crew. Your doing a great thing for the airport and the Vets and workers.
Thanks Ken;
But there is a lot more people involved than just me. As a matter of fact, Nick Mainiero, the man who was pretty much singularly responsible for finding, and choosing the FG and then getting to CT, is on the committee for it's restoration.
I also have to say that I don't really have the skills to oversee the restoration project as I do have a lot of other commitments. It's going to take a lot of donations (and gum wrappers on Ebay!) before this project is finished.
So on behalf of all involved, thank you Ken.
Jerry
Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:33 am
CAF Corsair wrote:Jerry,
Thank you to everyone there for taking on this very difficult and delicate task.
All my best,
~ Tracey
Thanks Tracey!
I wish you could've made to the Show back in 2005. You would've loved it!
Jerry
Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:55 am
HERES AN OLD NEWSPAPER CLIP.
