Warbird Heritage Foundation A-4B inspection to Airworthy

[z24nemesis]

Congrats guys, BEAUTIFUL flight!

-Andy

[z24nemesis]

Chase

Scooter Flight

[CAPFlyer]

Congrats on your group's accomplishment!

[RickH]

David, just wondering,...why did ya'll overwing the fuselage tank instead of singlepointing ? Why no drops ?

[Sabremech]

Hi Rick,
Yesterday was the first time we actually filled the airplane with fuel. We wanted to limit the problems we could encounter not being at home. Pretty much no one would want to take the fuel back out of an airplane that hasn't flown in 18+ years. The drop tanks need some work as there is some noticeable corrosion on the fins. We also wanted to eliminate another source of problems away from home. I have some other armament pods to hang on the wings. I'm still looking for a 300 gallon drop to put on the centerline pylon and convert it to a baggage pod. Any ideas where I can get one?

David
WHF Maint

[RickH]

Dave, all of the travel pods for the centerline were made from 400 gal centerlines. They are noticably shorter than the 300 gal. wing tanks.

I'm looking for additional Aero 20 wing racks, got any spares ? We have an advantage with our later model wing, we have additional outboard stations where we hang the smaller AF style travel pods. We have one of the 400 gal travel pods but it makes things pretty draggy. We also have the benefit of the longer nose.

If you have an empty autopilot bay that makes a handy baggage compartment. The nice thing about these aircraft is that you really have to go out of your way to get out of the CG envelope.

[Sabremech]

Hi Rick,
Couldn't we use one of the smaller drops (say 150 or so) on the centerline pylon for a baggage pod? I couldn't imagine it causing a huge drag effect so long as it fit the hooks properly.
David

[RickH]

Dave the NATOPS should give you the drag number for 3 bags. Never seen done what you describe. Might work.

look in the combat equipment book and see if any thing like that is listed as usable on the aircraft.

[Sabremech]

I want to thank all of you that have followed us through the process of getting our Scooter airborne. It took us longer than anticipated as we worked on it mostly Saturdays only, with one off each month, and delays in getting components back from overhaul or repair where we didn't work on it at all for 10+ months. It's indescribable to see it lift off and fly for the first time since we put our hands on it. Certainly one of the most memorable days in my A&P career. Here's a few pictures of N49WH at home base.





Thanks again from all of us at the Warbird Heritage Foundation.

David
WHF Maint
http://www.warbirdheritagefoundation.org

[RickH]

Dave, congratulations on a great job ! Is Paul going to ICAS ? If he is tell him to look me up, I'll be manning the CF booth.

[Sabremech]

Not sure if he is, but if he does I'll let him know to look you up.

David

[henning]

Congrats dave! Glad to see its home! I know its the culmination of lots of efforts from you and the gents! Pass along
the tidings to everyone there.

So what did you have to kick out of the hangar to get that and they skyraider in? or did they all fit?

.

hh

[z24nemesis]

OK, so when does the A-4 vid come out like the sabre promo?

I love it!!

[Sabremech]

Plenty of room Henning. You know mechanics, we like to take things apart. The Skyraider is in the maint hangar in pieces right now undergoing it's condition inspection. The F86 rolls in to the other side of the maint hangar next week for disassembly. We'll clean up the Skyhawk when we get a chance. It's that very busy time of year for us. More so this year than past years. Sure helps to have the Skyhawk home though. Andy, I haven't had a chance to view the video yet. I'm told I did an OK job, so look for it on our website in the very near future. I'll make a post here when I know it is available.
Thanks again guys for all the kind words.
David
WHF Maint
http://www.warbirdheritagefoundation.org

[MX304]

How do the maintenance requirements (frequency) of the A4 and F-86 stack up?