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

[gary1954]

Did Roy Stafford sell all of his stash of turrets he recovered in Georgia back decades ago?? anyone know? Bueller?.... Bueller?

[Dan Newcomb]

I hope to see a few WIXers at our air show on the 18th and 19th. For those of you that have followed us for all of these years you will be blown away when you see what we have done this year! We can’t wait to show her off!

Check this out..
http://www.wingsovercamarillo.com/

[Alan Brooks]

We can’t wait to show her off!

Check this out..
http://www.wingsovercamarillo.com/

Hey Dan! No picture tease to get us worked up?

alan

[warbird_patrick]

It was great being able to meet up with you guys at the show. All I can say is these pictures on here don't do that aircraft justice, It is just breathtaking to see this PBJ-1J in person. Great work, and I look forward to keeping in touch with you about our B-25J project and any help I can provide.

Patrick

[Alan Brooks]

Hey....uhm Danno! Is there something missing from this thread???????? From say about 2 weeks ago? I did find a couple of piccies on the net from a couple of the local newspapers..... but we all want the real deal!

alan

[warbird_patrick]

Hi Alan,

When I was at the show and spoke with Dan he side we was moving and would be away from the computer for a few weeks.

Patrick

[Russ Babbitt Jr.]

Gear Up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRCJW8u-UG0&feature=plcp

[Dan Newcomb]

Hi folks,

Well I’m finally on line after my move south to Ventura County. Here are some shots taken at our air show in August. We still have lots of painting to do as you can see. We had a lot of very positive comments on our work. Yesterday for the first time since 1993 the PBJ had a gear retraction. We still have a few leaks in the hydraulic system but the gear cycles beautifully! We also successfully tested the flaps. Life is good! And hey thanks Patrick for the kind words!!!

Dan

[avenger2504]

Wow she is really coming together now. Wish my little project was looking as complete!

[StangStung]

Wow! Looks great!

Can't say enough good things about this project. Thanks so much for the updates! It's almost as good as being there!

[Dan Newcomb]

This week work continued on several fronts. Painting and the prep work that goes along with it took up a lot of time and effort. The parts have to be surveyed, repaired, cleaned and fitted and then primer is applied before the final paint. Also masking things off takes a lot of time. We successfully completed the testing of the mains that was required by the AD. Everything thankfully checked out. We can now put the main gear back together as well as install the new nose gear. Also work continues on the hydraulic system. The accumulators were all rebuilt and bench tested and will be installed next week. The brakes still need to be installed as well as new bearings (56 of them) for the cowl flaps. It won’t be too much longer and we should be done with hydraulics and we will all be very glad of that.

On another note, I have included some shots taken last Monday as I flew down to San Diego and participated in a memorial flight over Fort Rosecrans. I love working on planes but I love flying them as well. I didn’t get to fly this time (formation flying) but I enjoyed the ride all the same. On the way down you will note that we flew over a particularly seedy part of L.A. where they can’t even take the time to remove old signs from the hillside.

Dan

Captain Marc (Daddy) Russell

[b17engineer]

It's such a disgrace to leave signs like that for people to view. Maybe someone should burn it out so the good people of California won't have to live with it (hee, hee)

RICK

[PJ]

I was lucky enough to visit Camarillo last Tuesday. What a fine museum and collection. The PBJ looks even better in person! Can't wait to see her fly! One question...I could see some sort of Lockheed twin on down the ramp towards the tower. Any idea what it is and do you have any pictures of it?
Thanks and wishing good luck on the rest of your restoration.



PJ
PV-2 Harpoon "Hot Stuff"
www.amhf.org

[krislhull]

Thanks for the update, Dan! I look forward to seeing her in person in a few weeks!

[Dan Newcomb]

I was lucky enough to visit Camarillo last Tuesday. What a fine museum and collection. The PBJ looks even better in person! Can't wait to see her fly! One question...I could see some sort of Lockheed twin on down the ramp towards the tower. Any idea what it is and do you have any pictures of it?
Thanks and wishing good luck on the rest of your restoration.



PJ
PV-2 Harpoon "Hot Stuff"
http://www.amhf.org

It is a Lodestar.

http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/N41CW.html