New TBM Restoration - Wings Are Back On. First Flight Soon!

[johnrfuentes]

Hi Gang,

We are in the process of restoring the cockpit instrument panel.

We are looking for a World War II Navy Waltham CDIA instrument panel

clock.

A working clock would be nice.........We don't want to be late for that

airshow start time!

[DaveM2]

John

Check your PMs


Dave

[T-6G Pilot]

The clock in question

[johnrfuentes]

Clock found Thanks Guys!

[jet1]

I'm with mike. I love the TBM

until a canopy panel blows out in mid flight. .... that gets your attention!!!

[johnrfuentes]

Ok Gang,

Need any info on where we might find some of the knobs that are used in the TBM for the cowl flap/oil cooler/wing fold we are missing one. Like the one above this Flap Handle in the Photo.




Or like the one in this photo to the right of the pressure gauge.

Last edited by johnrfuentes on Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:07 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[johnrfuentes]

http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt15 ... TBF-13.jpg
Rear Compartment

http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt15 ... DAMAGE.jpg

Grumman Strength


http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt15 ... nnipeg.jpg

ConAir Photo---Tanker 9 MAAM Jack Kosko Team Restored
Tanker 18 NCS-CAF Jack Kosko Team Current project

Last edited by johnrfuentes on Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[johnrfuentes]

BuAer No. 91426 In Canadian Navy



ConAir Winnipeg circa 1975 Ours is Number 18 previous Kosko Restoration is Number 9!









Hagerstown, MD 2004

[img]http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt15/TBMpilot
CF-MUE_a.jpg[/img]

Last edited by johnrfuentes on Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:18 pm, edited 3 times in total.

[johnrfuentes]

[johnrfuentes]

Fighter factory TBM-3E May 2009

[Dave Lindauer]

I've always had a soft spot for Canadian Aventers. I've always thought that they were the best looking of the turretless TBMs.

When I was about 14 or 15 I would ride my bicycle 10 miles to Simsbury Airport (Connecticut) to look at the last couple of Simsbury Flying Service TBMs. Previously there had been something like 7 or 8 flying there, parked in a neat row close to the road. My dad used to slow way down as we drove past so I could see them! (Not much, but very exciting to a blossoming warbird fan.)

After pulling up on my bike, the airport staff let me climb all over the last airframe (engineless & wingless), with the restrictions being that I shouldn't take or break anything, not touch any of the other private airplanes and stay away from spinning propellers. How times have changed!

[jaybird]

Hmmm... there seems to be a trend in restoring TBMs in out-buildings and pole barns! Nate Mayo's shop in MA looked very similar when the Collings TBM was restored.

Speaking of TBM restorations, anyone know how Charlie Cartledge's TBM rebuild is going?

Ryan, he has a few pictures here:

http://charliestbmrestoration.blogspot.com/

[avenger2504]

Ok since a few people have posted some Avenger shots here is one of TBF-1 NZ2504 now in the Air Force Museum here in Christchurch New Zealand. Photos of her running were taken in 1979 not long after the engine was brought back to life after 20 years of gate guard duty!! They obviously did a fine job inhibiting the engine in 1959!!







Thats me in the cockpit..18 years old!! All the hydraulics worked (wing fold,flaps etc)

She was initially restored in the target tug markings seen here but is now displayed(with turret) as NZ2521 which was shot down over Rabaul by Anti Aircraft fire.

[BillB24]

According to the copy of the Aircraft History Card that I requested from the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum a few years back, TBM-3E BuAer 91426 was accepted by the Navy on August 3, 1945. It spent it's operational life with the Fleet All-Weather Training Unit - Atlantic (FAWTULANT) at Key West, FL, until 1950. After Overhaul & Repair at Norfolk and San Diego, it served the balance of its U.S. Navy career at the Naval Air Reserve Training facility (NART) at NAS Willow Grove, PA, until July 1952. It returned to Norfolk and was stricken from inventory on 22 October, 1952.

There is a copy of the History Card in the TBM Restoration Log in the hangar at Jack Kosko's farm.

Bill B.
Kosko's Krew

Last edited by BillB24 on Tue Mar 02, 2010 8:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[BillB24]

Getting ready for removal of the prop and engine for overhaul. 3/2/2010.