Fighter Factory FM-2 Wildcat

[fighter_ace06]

thanks Craig, I got the package. Looks pretty good.

[CraigQ]

thanks Craig, I got the package. Looks pretty good.

You bet Conrad, anytime, glad to be of help.

Craig

[CraigQ]

Looking great! I only saw it flying as the show closed for this past years Warbirds Over the Beach. I didn't see it mentioned yet, but what is the plan for the colors? Is there a picture of the planned paint scheme, or is that a secret?

Not sure what the final markings will be at this time, have only seen a possible. As for the paint unless something changes it will be back to its original 3 tone scheme as the factory.

Craig

[Bill Greenwood]

BDK, I asked the factory rep for Simple Green at EAA Osh, about the difference between the grocery store formula and the aviation version, and what they said was the addition of the anti-corrosive chemical. They did not say anything about any other difference, but I didn't really delve into it more.

[sdennison]

We still haven't revealed the name of the stripper used on the fuselage and no that is not a Tiger Woods joke. Classified?

[CraigQ]

We still haven't revealed the name of the stripper used on the fuselage and no that is not a Tiger Woods joke. Classified?

Sorry 'bout that. it is by PPG, Eldorado Systems PR-5044,



Craig

Last edited by CraigQ on Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:02 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Obergrafeter]

You can get the stripper from the manufacturer in San Antonio, but still have to go thru (give credit) to a retailer.

[CraigQ]

Couple of pictures of name found on the fuselage under the (original) paint.

'Raymond'


'Skirym'


Craig

[marine air]

When I was in the Tenn. Air Guard, we used to use Simple Green our our factory new C-130H-1's when they were on the wash rack to remove exhaust smoot and other difficult stains.
It was discovered during Isochronal inspection that there was severe pitting on the flap tracks and bearing assemblies for the flaps. This was attributed to Simple Green not being properly cleaned off after each wash. They had to replace parts on several of the aircraft.
They still used Simple Green with caution on the problem areas but would flush those areas very thoroughly , for an hour or two after washing. The C-130's were only two years old at the time.

[mh53eflyguy]

Looking great! I only saw it flying as the show closed for this past years Warbirds Over the Beach. I didn't see it mentioned yet, but what is the plan for the colors? Is there a picture of the planned paint scheme, or is that a secret?

Not sure what the final markings will be at this time, have only seen a possible. As for the paint unless something changes it will be back to its original 3 tone scheme as the factory.

Craig

Thanks Craig..... By chance, were you a PR in the Navy at one point? I met someone that works at FF named Craig at PVG a few months back, if I have you wrong, it was the gentlemen that was buying/learning to fly the Aeronca Chief.

I've digressed, so this paint scheme is completely a thing of the past...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/19178908@N ... 877058302/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/19178908@N ... 877058302/

I know this has been said, but I liked it! It's great that its undergoing a full repaint too so to see if there is any corrosion. I hope to be back in VA when she returns to flying status (visiting and hopefully not stationed there again)

Cheers!

[CraigQ]

Looking great! I only saw it flying as the show closed for this past years Warbirds Over the Beach. I didn't see it mentioned yet, but what is the plan for the colors? Is there a picture of the planned paint scheme, or is that a secret?

Not sure what the final markings will be at this time, have only seen a possible. As for the paint unless something changes it will be back to its original 3 tone scheme as the factory.

Craig

Thanks Craig..... By chance, were you a PR in the Navy at one point? I met someone that works at FF named Craig at PVG a few months back, if I have you wrong, it was the gentlemen that was buying/learning to fly the Aeronca Chief.

I've digressed, so this paint scheme is completely a thing of the past...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/19178908@N ... 877058302/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/19178908@N ... 877058302/

I know this has been said, but I liked it! It's great that its undergoing a full repaint too so to see if there is any corrosion. I hope to be back in VA when she returns to flying status (visiting and hopefully not stationed there again)

Cheers!

Hmm, that wasn't me and I'm the only Craig I know of that works at the FF, at least for the past 2 years. It may have been someone over in Pungo at the Museum though, which although that's where the ac live (when not in mx here in Suffolk) and is a separate entity from the FF, is often referred to as the FF. There will be another airshow in May, hope you can make it back up this way (as a 'tourists"!) and see the FM-2 flying.

Craig Q

[mh53eflyguy]

Hmm, that wasn't me and I'm the only Craig I know of that works at the FF, at least for the past 2 years. It may have been someone over in Pungo at the Museum though, which although that's where the ac live (when not in mx here in Suffolk) and is a separate entity from the FF, is often referred to as the FF. There will be another airshow in May, hope you can make it back up this way (as a 'tourists"!) and see the FM-2 flying.

Craig Q

My memory is failing me already! I forget the guys name. I'll likely be amidst training down here in Pensacola, but If I can make it up I'll be there, crashing at the in-laws place!

[CraigQ]

A little update with some pics of parts and components ready and waiting for their time to be installed back in the ac.
One of the carb alt air boxes,MLG gearbox,fuel strainer housing, fuel selector valve and some lines.

Gear retract handle/box,rudderpedals and assorted cockpit pieces

Vac tank, carb ducts, seat, oil cooler

Oil cooler air ducts, some MLG pieces and center beam engine supports

New dust boots for the control cables & aileron torque tubes


And a signature I found while taking a look up behind the pilots headrest armor


Craig Q

[Holedigger]

Those parts look better than factory fresh. Need to drop em on the floor a couple times, maybe tie them to a PU Truck and drag them around a while so they look "authentic"! Great Pics! Thanks

[Bill Greenwood]

Marine air, re the corrosion from the Tenn Guard using Simple Green; it seems to me, not sure at all, but as I recall that when Simple Green was first on the market, it was just grocery store formula. It seems to me that it was a few years later, and around 5 years ago that I recall them coming out with the aviation version which says approved for aircraft on the bottle and has the added corrosion inhibitor in it.

I have never seen or heard of any corrosion from using Carbon X ( made by Arrow Magnolia) which cuts grease well and also exhaust. Neither of them are good for paint, or your skin, unless you dilute them.
If you have good paint and just want normal cleaning without a lot of carbon or baked on grease, I like Fleet Wash made by the same firm. It is used diluted and washes off normal dirt and it leaves a bit a shine with a slick finish sort of like a liquid wax, which is then water and dirt resistant. Fleet Wash will not cut carbon, but it does not take the wax off paint or dry out the paint or your skin like Simple Green or Carbon X does. Fleet wash seems mild as for as fumes go, though I still wear goggles for eye protection.

Last edited by Bill Greenwood on Sun Dec 27, 2009 1:01 am, edited 1 time in total.