Mon Aug 03, 2009 12:46 pm
That is GREAT news Mike!!!!!!!!!!
Job extremely well done!!!!
Job extremely well done!!!!
Mon Aug 03, 2009 7:03 pm
bluehawk15 wrote:....it's been a while since we were able to make an airshow, or fly-over, but ..... I think the Rose will be ready for the next 60+ years now!
In the context of the bigger picture, Rose hasn't missed squat. She's a seriously beautiful bird, one of my very favorites of all time (along with the P-39, such a coincidence they live under the same roof?). She can have a short little rest if she wants one as far as I'm concerned, for she has been working hard and has earned it fair and square.
Salutes to all of y'all who tend to them!
????
Mon Aug 03, 2009 8:03 pm
The next photos I want to see are of her flying!!
You guys have really kicked *ss getting her in good shape.
Bravo Zulu!!
You guys have really kicked *ss getting her in good shape.
Bravo Zulu!!
The latest update
Wed Aug 05, 2009 8:16 am
From our Maintenance Officer, Ray Clausen:
"I survived a week in Florida and am back and running full speed with
the rest of the guys at the hangar. (A very well deserved break from the Rose - Mike) The cable work has been steadily moving forward and we can see the end of this part of the project coming. We did end up replacing a few more cables that we originally expected. Basically,
it came down to making no sense to replace a cable, then connect the new one to an old one. I have some scary, rusty old cables to add to my show-and-tell box. Once we replace the last cable we can adjust the settings and tensions, then we can close up the trailing edge of the wings and re-install the flaps.
We did find a hydraulic line back there that had rubber grommets
securing it as it passed through the ribs. These grommets had not been
looked at in many years. They were cracked and literally falling apart,
causing a metal on metal chafing issue. Since we really don't want to experience a total hydraulic system fluid loss, we thought it would be nice to replace the grommets. We are giving the entire aircraft another look for similar potential problems. (Again, this shows the level of care the Rose is receiving! - Mike)
The engine is basically ready to go. Once all the cable work is complete,
we'll take her out and run her once more. We will be looking at the
propeller governor movement first. It wasn't adjusted right and didn't give us full movement of the propeller blades. When that checks out, we'll taxi her around a bit to test the brakes and the handling and steering in general.
There was a squawk on the left engine about the cylinder head temperature reading. The electrical lead was broken and I have a replacement on it's way."
As you can see, the punch list is getting shorter, and only minor items are showing up. We'll keep everyone posted, and just for you, Jack, the next photos will be her in the air again!
"I survived a week in Florida and am back and running full speed with
the rest of the guys at the hangar. (A very well deserved break from the Rose - Mike) The cable work has been steadily moving forward and we can see the end of this part of the project coming. We did end up replacing a few more cables that we originally expected. Basically,
it came down to making no sense to replace a cable, then connect the new one to an old one. I have some scary, rusty old cables to add to my show-and-tell box. Once we replace the last cable we can adjust the settings and tensions, then we can close up the trailing edge of the wings and re-install the flaps.
We did find a hydraulic line back there that had rubber grommets
securing it as it passed through the ribs. These grommets had not been
looked at in many years. They were cracked and literally falling apart,
causing a metal on metal chafing issue. Since we really don't want to experience a total hydraulic system fluid loss, we thought it would be nice to replace the grommets. We are giving the entire aircraft another look for similar potential problems. (Again, this shows the level of care the Rose is receiving! - Mike)
The engine is basically ready to go. Once all the cable work is complete,
we'll take her out and run her once more. We will be looking at the
propeller governor movement first. It wasn't adjusted right and didn't give us full movement of the propeller blades. When that checks out, we'll taxi her around a bit to test the brakes and the handling and steering in general.
There was a squawk on the left engine about the cylinder head temperature reading. The electrical lead was broken and I have a replacement on it's way."
As you can see, the punch list is getting shorter, and only minor items are showing up. We'll keep everyone posted, and just for you, Jack, the next photos will be her in the air again!
Wed Aug 05, 2009 11:54 am
Oh, and you will know they are new photos after her return to flight by the "tramp stamp" which will be behind the pilot's windows. 
Wed Aug 05, 2009 1:55 pm
bluehawk15 wrote:Oh, and you will know they are new photos after her return to flight by the "tramp stamp" which will be behind the pilot's windows.
A good photography outfit could probably find a way to fix that on some of them...
Ryan
Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:26 pm
Closer...oh so much closer!!! The cable project is finished! Sure looked pretty, all those shiny cables and pulleys that moved when the cable did.
The team is starting to close her up now! She's been pushed out for an engine run. A couple of minor squawks from that are being taken care of, such as the left prop govenor. Nothing big has popped up, so we are thinking she might fly a week from Saturday (29 AUG)!
We are starting on the paint touch-up this weekend! The big, yellow painted billboard under the horizontals will be going away. The N-number is going to be changed to subdued 2" numbers, and the Commemorative Air Force will still be there as well, but that's all. Oh yeah, and then the CAF Duck tramp stamp brand will be put on behind the cockpit windows.
The team is starting to close her up now! She's been pushed out for an engine run. A couple of minor squawks from that are being taken care of, such as the left prop govenor. Nothing big has popped up, so we are thinking she might fly a week from Saturday (29 AUG)!
We are starting on the paint touch-up this weekend! The big, yellow painted billboard under the horizontals will be going away. The N-number is going to be changed to subdued 2" numbers, and the Commemorative Air Force will still be there as well, but that's all. Oh yeah, and then the CAF Duck tramp stamp brand will be put on behind the cockpit windows.
Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:55 pm
bluehawk15 wrote:The team is starting to close her up now! She's been pushed out for an engine run.
When did they push 'er out? We were up there at KHYI about 1:45 or so and I didn't see any CAF aircraft out of the hangar.
Ryan
????
Thu Aug 20, 2009 4:04 pm
Is there a mandate to put the decal by the cockpit?
It seems that's where they all go.
It seems that's where they all go.
Re: ????
Thu Aug 20, 2009 4:26 pm
Jack Cook wrote:Is there a mandate to put the decal by the cockpit?
It seems that's where they all go.
I know where I would love to mandate them to.
Great work on the B-25. I can't wait to see pics of her returning to flight. You guys hve a great plane for sure!
Thu Aug 20, 2009 7:24 pm
I'll stop by next week on the way to 5C1 for my annual and take a look see at her.....
Lynn
Lynn
Thu Aug 20, 2009 11:59 pm
Please DONT put the tramp stamp on! I beg you. Ill send you something for free if you dont put the stamp on! .....and if you do...make a small thing that would compliment the 2" N number. Maybe a 3" Tramp Stamp under the Horizonal. Give the aircraft the respect she deserves after 65 years of life!
Just my 2 cents...... Would every send them something for free if they dont put on the tramp stamp? Ill even throw in some parts for the 25....
Great work on the progress though, sounds like she'll be flying soon!
Just my 2 cents...... Would every send them something for free if they dont put on the tramp stamp? Ill even throw in some parts for the 25....
Great work on the progress though, sounds like she'll be flying soon!
Fri Aug 21, 2009 8:17 am
Hey Ryan!
I just found out yesterday that they ran the engines on Monday. Sorry for the late news.
Jack, yes, there is a mandate as to where the CAF wings are to be placed. CAF HQ determines the best location, which is the same for each type (markings permitting). If there are markings where they would have the "brand", the location is adjusted as needed. Originally there was much more latitude, but CAF HQ soon learned that it would be better to have a "look of uniformity" for the wings, and that placement close to the pilots would pretty much cinch them showing up in air to air photos (photoshop not withstanding!).
Noizeedave, I'd love to not put the wings on, but the owner (CAF) has said it wants the wings and where and what size. But in return for putting the wings on, they let us fly the plane.
Hopefully the wings will do their job and we will see a big increase in
membership, then we can mandate the wings away! Thankfully they are only decals, easily removed.
Lynn, come on over! Someone is usually there Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
Now that the B-25 is about to return to the air, we are looking for another significant maintenance/restoration project. There might be one in the works, but I can't say anything about it just yet. As soon as I can, you'll see it here, so watch WIX!!!
I just found out yesterday that they ran the engines on Monday. Sorry for the late news.
Jack, yes, there is a mandate as to where the CAF wings are to be placed. CAF HQ determines the best location, which is the same for each type (markings permitting). If there are markings where they would have the "brand", the location is adjusted as needed. Originally there was much more latitude, but CAF HQ soon learned that it would be better to have a "look of uniformity" for the wings, and that placement close to the pilots would pretty much cinch them showing up in air to air photos (photoshop not withstanding!).
Noizeedave, I'd love to not put the wings on, but the owner (CAF) has said it wants the wings and where and what size. But in return for putting the wings on, they let us fly the plane.
Hopefully the wings will do their job and we will see a big increase in
membership, then we can mandate the wings away! Thankfully they are only decals, easily removed.
Lynn, come on over! Someone is usually there Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
Now that the B-25 is about to return to the air, we are looking for another significant maintenance/restoration project. There might be one in the works, but I can't say anything about it just yet. As soon as I can, you'll see it here, so watch WIX!!!
Fri Aug 21, 2009 8:42 am
Way to go Mike!!!
Mazeltov all the way!!!!!!!!!!
Mazeltov all the way!!!!!!!!!!
Fri Aug 21, 2009 3:30 pm
Just off the phone with the hangar. Pushed out and ran engines again today. Just tweaking the engines in. We are going to start prep work for the painting this weekend, but it's going to be a fight between the painters needs (keeping the prepared surfaces clean) and the mechanics need to run the engines!
So far we are still on track for a first flight on Saturday the 29th!!! (crossing fingers, eyes, legs, and knocking on wood!)
So far we are still on track for a first flight on Saturday the 29th!!! (crossing fingers, eyes, legs, and knocking on wood!)