Latest NASM / Garber Restorations

[Swiss Mustangs]

DaveM2 and Jase - will do so later tonight (my time = GMT+1)

Martin

[APG85]

In theory, it would seem that Flak Bait should need little in the way of restoration - just some preservation. I wonder what the stall is on getting it put on display. I visited the Garber facility twice in the early 80's. I didn't see the other components of Flak Bait but the tour didn't take you into all of the buildings. I did see the Enola Gay laying on mattresses!

[Jerry O'Neill]

Jase;
Yes, it is Sherman. A great guy and a good friend. I'll pass on the hello and give him your best wishes!
Jerry

[Swiss Mustangs]

Photos as promised





Martin

[skymstr02]

In theory, it would seem that Flak Bait should need little in the way of restoration - just some preservation. I wonder what the stall is on getting it put on display. I visited the Garber facility twice in the early 80's. I didn't see the other components of Flak Bait but the tour didn't take you into all of the buildings. I did see the Enola Gay laying on mattresses!

I was working in building 10 at Silver Hill, on the P-61 in '98 for a week, The Swooze was over in a corner, Kennedy's Convair was in front of it, and the remainder of "Flak Bait" was in the opposite side. While I was there, the "Enola Gay" fuselage was at the Mall, and the wings were in restoration at the Garber Facility.

[Jase]

Outstanding! Please note this page http://b26marauder.com/b26/b2610.html

I had the pleasure of meeting him at WW2 weekend 3 years ago, and concur totally with your comments! He really is a great guy.

Regards

Jase

Jase;
Yes, it is Sherman. A great guy and a good friend. I'll pass on the hello and give him your best wishes!
Jerry

[bfowlernj]

All,

I asked my contact at NASM about "Flak Bait" - here is his response:

"There is nothing in the works right now on Flak Bait. My GUESS is that nothing will be done until we get the new restoration facility. And that is now looking like early FY09. The only thing's scheduled to start up (as soon as the P-61 gets done) are the rest of the He 219 and the F-105. There are a lot of other aircraft coming over this year (which is as far as planning goes), but they are mostly done or just finishing up."

Take care...

[APG85]

What's the story with the P-61? Are they restoring it or just moving it for storage at Dulles? Thanks.....

[bfowlernj]

All,

Again, from my contact at NASM about the P-61:

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- Redo all of the control surfaces--clean, corrosion (nothing bad) control, and fabric.
- Clean up everything--a major task in itself.
- All new plexiglas nose to tail
- Engines being cleaned outside (cylinder heads, cases, ignition harness, etc (I'm working on that a bit)), maybe touch up some of the paint on the nosecases), drained oil--they seem to be fairly well preserved. I've got the two generators and starter unit on both of them that I'm cleaning (dirt and major corrosion on the mag parts), treating, and giving an internal preservative coat only.
- Sand down entire tail end to get to all the markings (USAAF, USAF, NACA) and leave them on as they are--no overpainting, cleaning up, etc. The NASA stuff is the most interesting.
- Do some sheet metal work where fork lifts have penetrated (basic hangar rash), crinkled wing tips, etc.
- Not going to repaint the aircraft; not going to rebuild a top turret or the radar compartment; etc. This is a major conservation effort."
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Take care,

Brian