Worlds only USMC Mitchell PBJ-1J Restoration CAF's Semper Fi

[Dan Newcomb]

I can't get the Sea Blue paint in the spray gun fast enough.

[Dan Newcomb]

Here are some photos from yesterday’s wing joining. Scott took a few of these to prove to the world that I really do occasionally do some work on the bird. I failed to get any shots of the wing hanging in the air as we were all a little busy at the time but I think the pictures give some idea of the event. I am so glad that we waited a week before we tried this. It gave us time for Jeff to track down the proper lifting eyes and for all of us to think things through. The rigging worked out extremely well. It was a long but very rewarding day. Most of the crew went over to Bandits for dinner to end our day.



Dan

[the330thbg]

Brilliant progress.

We are all proud and equally exicited at your work!

She is looking amazing!

[Dan Newcomb]

Here is a quick update. Work continues on the right wing attach angle and when that is finished we will take the wing back off and finish on the bench. In the mean time we decided to start cleaning and inspecting and repairing the left wing. Jeff Nelson’s crew will most likely be out next month to start on the electrical wiring.

While I have the time I would like to mention that over the last several months we have had the good fortune to add several new and very talented members to our SoCal Wing. Four of these folks were integrated into our PBJ restoration. I have just started my ninth year on this little project and things have never looked brighter.

Dan

[Dan Newcomb]

Yesterday was another very productive workday. John and Bill are really making great progress on the flooring for the nose section. Ken continues working with Dave on the wing fillets. Jeff and I finished fabricating our first structural repair on the left wing and it is ready for installation. I’m off for Loozeeanna to spend a few days in Cajun Country so it will be a couple of weeks before I get back to CMA.

Dan

[mustangdriver]

She's really looking great!

[Dan Newcomb]

Last Tuesday the boys got together and pulled the right wing back off after drilling out the attach angle. We have a fuel tank on the way and after we install it and finish shooting and bolting on the wing it will go back up on the airplane for good!

We had to pull the PBJ out of the hangar and turn it around before we could think about permanently attaching the right wing as we have limited space. Until we are ready to attach both wings permanently we can stay tucked away in the corner.

Life is good!

Dan

[Alan Brooks]

Dan.... very nice work indeed...... just keep on going.....so when is hangar #3 going to be built? You guys have run out of room..........lolololololo..... Great stuff.......... just great stuff....... alan

[Craig59]

Looking great. Thanks for the update!

[Django]

She looks good outside!

[Rocketeer]

Can't wait to see the day that all six CAF B-25's are airworthy!

[Dan Newcomb]

Work on the right wing continued yesterday but in the afternoon three of us took a little break. I have not had so much fun in years. The weather over Ventura was fantastic! We had clear skies and smooth air. Jeffie sat up front and John and I were in the waist. We flew up a canyon and out over the beach. It was fun watching the people wave at us. We flew back to CMA for some pattern work and did four takeoffs and taxi backs. We were very light with half fuel so the thrust was impressive. Yes, I am a lucky man. Someday baby it will be us! Thanks to John, Dana and ex-F-15 driver Todd for a wonderful afternoon!

Dan

[T33driver]

Dan,

While taking a retired USAF pilot and former T-33 Instructor Pilot up for a ride the other day, some of his buddies showed up to watch him fly. One of his buddies named Tony was a PBJ mechanic in WWII in the Solomon Islands. After the war Tony joined the WI ANG where they had a TB-25 radar trainer for the squadron's F-89 Radar Observers (WSO/RIO types). The ANG commander noticed his records indicated he'd been to a North American "factory school" for B-25/PBJs and asked him to be the crew chief/flight mechanic for their TB-25. After the unit's F-89s were replaced by KC-97s, he went on to become a flight engineer on that aircraft. He was pleasantly surprised when I gave him the correct answer as to what a PBJ was, and honestly I had no clue 'til a few years ago when you started this restoration thread. Let me know if you might be interested in corresponding with Tony the PBJ vet and I'll try to facilitate that. Otherwise, keep up the great work and I look forward to more posts on the PBJ's progress.

[Django]

Sounds like the perfect day!

That's really cool Paul.

[Dan Newcomb]

Paul,

I hope Tony has a computer and if he does I think he would find this thread very interesting along with the links to the SoCal website. In all my years of working on this project I think that I have only met two people that ever worked or flew PBJ’s. If he ever comes out our way we would do our best to provide him with a “special” tour. Executive Sweet parks next to our hangars and I’m sure we could arrange a tour of her as well.

If Tony has any photographs of his PBJ days we would love to see them.

He can contact me by mail:

Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing
Camarillo Airport
455 Aviation Drive
Camarillo, CA 93010


Dan