CAF Centex Wing P-39 News

[retroaviation]

I will be meeting with the sponsors when everything is here and evaluated to determine how we want to do this project. I expect it will be short of a full restoration but more than just an IRAN. I'll make it look as close to new as possible...

Not trying to sound cynical here, but PLEASE don't let the sponsors talk y'all into only partially doing something now and pushing you into the "we'll get to it later" method of thinking. That is perhaps at least a contributing factor as to why the airplane is in it's current condition and also why it's costing more money now in order to make it airworthy again.

Y'all have done very well with the Yellow Rose, not only with the actual mechanic work, but with the raising of your standards. It's been impressive to watch. I'm just asking that y'all insist that the same type of attention to detail is done to the P-63 prior to it returning to the air.

Off my soapbox now. I'll just lurk from here on out. Over to you.......

Gary

[bdk]

Spray bars were a post WWII mod done on civilianized birds. As the radiators leak the repair is to plug the one "honeycomb" tube and continue on. After so many repairs the cooling ability of the radiator dropped into the margional range. A cheap fix was to spray water on the radiator while on the ground to keep it cool....Having a new radiator built was cost prohibitive in the 60's and 70's. Todays warbird owners have a bit more money to put into their warbird and can afford to have custom built or new manufacture parts built.

TFC's P-39 (now heading back to the US I understand) has spraybars and it was finished just a couple of years ago.

[b29flteng]

I will be meeting with the sponsors when everything is here and evaluated to determine how we want to do this project. I expect it will be short of a full restoration but more than just an IRAN. I'll make it look as close to new as possible...

Not trying to sound cynical here, but PLEASE don't let the sponsors talk y'all into only partially doing something now and pushing you into the "we'll get to it later" method of thinking. That is perhaps at least a contributing factor as to why the airplane is in it's current condition and also why it's costing more money now in order to make it airworthy again.

Y'all have done very well with the Yellow Rose, not only with the actual mechanic work, but with the raising of your standards. It's been impressive to watch. I'm just asking that y'all insist that the same type of attention to detail is done to the P-63 prior to it returning to the air.

Off my soapbox now. I'll just lurk from here on out. Over to you.......

Gary

AMEN! (what Gary said)

[bluehawk15]

Gee, it's been so long since we've had an update. Our Maintenance Officer, Ray Clausen, has been super busy, as have we all. The fall flying season has had us busy with airshows and fly-overs, as well as Ray going to B-25 school out in CA.

The P-39 required a little minor maintenance, but to do it required pulling the engine. The engine behind planes are sort of like a VW, to do anything on them it's best to pull the engine! The engine is back in now and hoses are getting hooked up. It could have a run-up by this Friday.

On to the exciting news, abet late news. About two weeks ago a recovery crew went up to Ezell's and got the rest of the P-63F parts. I didn't know it as I didn't see the wings around the hangar. They decided to leave everything on the trailer since we had our hangar dinner/dance coming up on the 21st of this month. The trailer is under cover in our storage shed behind the hangar (more like a large two car garage).

Next week Ray plans to unload the trailer in the hangar and start to inventory the parts, then the cleaning, inspection, and repair process will begin. With the crew we have, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see the P-63F flying in Airsho '10!

[bluehawk15]

Hopefully Ray will get some photos taken during the inventory process and post them. I'll try to get a picture or two while everything is still on the trailer, but it might be a few days before I can post them. I should FINALLY be getting high speed internet service way out in the country where I live. Installation is scheduled for the week of Thanksgiving. It will be a microwave system!

[bluehawk15]

Coming up, Ray's article from the December '09 CenTex Wing newletter. But first, some photos of the King Cobra as she sits in the Cobra Den! (Thanks again to Chris "Holedigger" for teaching me how to post photos!)

[Warbird Kid]

Boy those landing gear sure are short!

Nice to see progress. Thanks. Cant wait to see her back in the air. Come to think of it, I just cant wait to see her!

[Ryan Harris]

Hey Mike have you guys thought about putting her back in her correct Bell markings? Basically the only changes we are talking is a correct proportioned star and bar and a big "X" on either side of her nose. She was only ever a test airplane, so it would be cool to see that represented on her.

I miss seeing her around the Texas shows, so it will be good to have her and the '39 back up together.

[bluehawk15]

I'm all for getting the aircraft painted as they were, when possible! That would be left up to the sponsor group though. I think the biggest problem with returning her to that original paint scheme would be money. They have laid out a bunch of money already, and there's a lot more cost coming at them just to get her back in the air, which is understandably the priority right now.

But maybe some day...

[bluehawk15]

By the way, if anyone would like to contribute to getting the P-63F back in the air, ANY donation would be welcome. Send a dollar or more to:

CenTex Wing, CAF
P-63F Project
1841 Airport Drive
San Marcos, TX 78666

Thank you in advance!

[Ryan Harris]

http://www.afwing.com/images/p39/24.jpg

I completely agree with you on the dollars issue. That link is a shot of her while at Bell. Notice that really the only thing to add is the big X on her nose. She already matches the rest of the scheme.

BTW, is the hanger open on Thursdays or Fridays? I'll be in New Braunfels and I thought about running over, providing the snow doesn't hinder things too much.

[bluehawk15]

Maybe Ray can talk them into adding the "X". We have local paint talent that can handle that job!

The hangar is normally open on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. If you get there about 0815, you will see them starting the Yellow Rose. She is going to Randolph AFB for a photo shoot. She should return sometime between noon and 3pm.

Of course, that all depends on the weather! Same for Saturday the 5th, it's our squadron and wing's annual fly day. Flying should happen between 1100 and 3pm, weather permitting.

[Ryan Harris]

Thanks Mike. Looks like I might try to make it over on Saturday to see the P-39 and B-25 fly. Friday would be cool to get shots of them outside covered in snow, however....

[bluehawk15]

I'm not sure the P-39 will fly on Saturday, but you never know! The main reason for the Fly Day is to give rides to the members who don't usually get to fly, and their family and some friends as well.

[Obergrafeter]

Say what you want about the "X", but the important thing is where in the heII is the tramp stamp? I don't care if its in restoration I want that beautiful decal put on now.....got it now!!!!!!!!!!!!!