Hello all! Hope you are each doing great. Today was our annual C-47 Ground-School session, were we discussed safety, flight procedures, and the 2012 airshow season schedule. The day went very well, and we also got a lot of work done! Here's the rundown...
Aircraft-
C-47- If you heard two R-1830 engines humming over WNY yesterday, then you heard our C-47! She flew over and over again yesterday in her 1st flights of the year. We are very excited to have our D-Day Vet back up for, what looks to be, another exciting airshow season. The flights yesterday went great as well!
C-45- Today, John W., Taro P., Loren H., Hugh, Super Dave, and I all worked on getting the Expeditor back in the air. The props have returned from overhaul, so we busied ourselves by re-installing the cowlings today and safty-wiring everything up tight. Dave was busy making a part to help torque the props down once they are re-installed. See pics below for details, the '45 shouldn't be on the ground much longer.
C-119- The '119 static restoration crew has been making great progress! Be sure to check for their updates on our message board.
Buildings and Grounds-
T-Hangar- Sheet after sheet of drywall have been hung in an effort to convert our original hangar into an interactive museum display facility. The progress that has been made most recently is staggering! See pics below to get a visual of the epic improvements being made.
America at Home Exhibit- Our WWII-era home exhibit is shaping up! Naomi has completed the floor painting, and has now begun to install the artifacts and displays. The new "America @ Home" should be even better than the last, see pics below for more.
2012 Geneseo Airshow- It is entirely possible that there will be more additions to our airshow aircraft roster very soon! Stay tuned here for the latest (
http://1941hag.org/Geneseo-Airshow/airshow_aircraft_2012.html). The "Greatest Show on Turf" 2012 is shaping up to be a great one!
P-51B "Lucy Gal" Project- Thanks to Naomi and John S., I now have a display case for the project in the "America @ Home" exhibit! I am planning to set it all up soon. Also, the May WWII Can/Bottle collection drive was a success today with a pretty fair turnout of contributions. Stay tuned to find out how much was made at the drive, as well as for more details about the "Red Jugs for the Red Tail" fundraiser @ Geneseo 2012! (
http://fighterfund.blogspot.com/2012/04/red-jugs-for-red-tail.html)
Raublyn Hopkins- As you all heard, our dear "Raubie" passed last week. She was the wife of our late chief mechanic Ed Hopkins. Her memorial service was this past Tuesday in her hometown of Dansville, and it was very well attended. Family, friends, and museum members/volunteers all paid there last respects and remembered the life of this great woman. RIP Raubie, we love and miss you.
Pictures- Here's what you missed today in Geneseo!

Our D-Day Vet C-47 "ready for battle!"


The C-45 with cowls re-installed, props are next to go on.

Here are the C-45's propellers.

Ever wonder what makes that prop feather? Here's the innards.

The face of the T-Hangar, now sans hangar doors!

Renovations inside the T-Hangar.

What a transformation!

New paint in the "America @ Home" exhibit.

Living room area in "America @ Home."

"America @ Home" kitchen coming together.

"Lucy Gal" display case! Soon to be quite filled...

Results from the May WWII Can/Bottle Collection Drive. Can't wait to see how much we brought in this month!

Two of our members beautiful aircraft, flown in today for C-47 ground school. On the left, a Cessna 195, and on the right, an Aeronca 7AC "Champ."
Blue Skies and Tailwinds...