FLYING UNDERWATER RECOVERIES

Tue Nov 29, 2005 12:33 pm

Tue Nov 29, 2005 12:37 pm

Tue Nov 29, 2005 3:17 pm

Those are some fascinating photos... many thanks for posting Bearfan.

Brad,... thanks for the info. on the other wildcat. I'm very glad that I was wrong about the corrosion issues. Why is the aircraft in storage/display at MoF though, and not being flown?

On another note, I thought you might like to see a photo I took of the airworthy F4F-3 at the MAPS show this summer.

Cheers,
Richard

Tue Nov 29, 2005 8:14 pm

The gentleman that owns the F4F, John Dimmer, is a big supporter of the MOF. When they opened the personal courage wing a couple of years ago, they planned on putting their own FM-2 on display. Since it wasn't finished in time, Mr. Dimmer offered to loan his F4F to them. He also owns an FM-2 that he flys pretty often, so he isn't lacking for Wildcats to fly. I specifically asked him if he intended to get the F4F back and fly it and he said that was definately his plan. As a side note, he enjoys flying the FM-2 more than the F4F; partially because it's a little bit faster.

I'd also like to mention that Mr. Dimmer has also been a big supporter of our museum down in Olymipa, the Olympic Flight Museum. Over the years, he has given us complete freedom with both of his Wildcats, his SNJ and Stearman. We've had all his planes on display in the museum at different times over the years and have always used them in our airshows. He has also been very good to me and gave me the keys to his hangers so that I could mess with his airplanes whenever the mood struck me.

Tue Nov 29, 2005 8:34 pm

Here is a picture of Mr. Dimmer's FM-2.

Here are some pictures I took of the F4F in Olympia a few years back. When the restoration was finished, about 65% of the original -86 engine was being used. A few years later a rod let go during the run-up, being the victim of an unknown hydraulic lock at some point after the rebuild. The engine was pulled off and I believe it was rebuilt and put back on. If not, then a new engine was installed. I really can't remember for sure, but I'm pretty sure the engine was rebuilt. Either way, it did fly for several years with most of the engine it had when it crashed. The baggage door is autographed by George Hahn, the gentleman that was at the controls when it ended up in the lake. It's also autographed by the restoration crew and General Joe Foss.

The plane is painted in the markings it was wearing when it crashed. The cockpit is nearly 100% stock. The only exceptions I can think of are the radio and transponder discreetly installed on the right side wall, the pre-oiler and ELT. The supercharger is deactivated, it has a hydraulic prop versus the original electric one. Demilled guns and ammo are installed, the gun sight works, all the original radios are in the fuselage and the pilots relief tube is still there. It does have disk brakes instead of the drum and shoes, but it still has the original 12volt electrical system. There is also no external power connection so it is a pain to start. I've ran the battery down before trying, but I did finally learn to hold my mouth right and get it on four or five blades.

Tue Nov 29, 2005 8:56 pm

Brad, thanks so much for sharing these great pix. What a restoration. :shock:

Wed Nov 30, 2005 8:13 am

Brad wrote:The gentleman that owns the F4F, John Dimmer, is a big supporter of the MOF. When they opened the personal courage wing a couple of years ago, they planned on putting their own FM-2 on display. Since it wasn't finished in time, Mr. Dimmer offered to loan his F4F to them.

Wed Nov 30, 2005 11:38 am

Hi Brad... great pix, thanks very much for sharing! You mentioned that the original radios were fitted... do you mean the actual radios that were in the plane when it crashed?! If so, all I can say is WOW! That's really amazing that they would be good enough to restore (to static of course).

Cheers,
Richard

Wed Nov 30, 2005 5:52 pm

AMAZING!!!!

Wed Nov 30, 2005 8:46 pm

Those restorations really are amazing........and how many aircraft are still at the bottom of the lake?

Wed Nov 30, 2005 11:09 pm

Rob, My hearts healthy. I thought it was about 170 in Lake Michigan. Also what about the other Great Lakes? Thanx!

Wed Nov 30, 2005 11:49 pm

OK, There must be some more flyable or soon to be flyable underwater birds. Rob? Wixers?

Thu Dec 01, 2005 12:43 am

Well, the US Navy hasn't released many others. The only other lake birds I can think of under active restoration is Harland Avezzie's TBF Avenger. I remember there being two very beat up SBD's for sale a few years back which had come out of Lake Michigan, but the took for ever to sell, and I have no idea if they are being rebuilt to fly or not. Kevin Smith's A-24 is being restored using wings from a parted out Lake Michigan bird if that's anything to go by.

Cheers,
Richard