What's happening at FHC? Lots of pics and videos!

[Fight2FlyPhoto]

Great photos as always, Mark and thank you for all the research and knowledge that you provide! And yes, there were several White 32's. I didn't get a look at what BuNo this one was, but must be similar to that very one in your photo. Corey was just starting to measure the position based on photos, one of which you can kind of see laying on the horizontal stab in my top pic. The finished product will look just like that bird in your photo. As soon as I get wind of it leaving the paint shop you can bet I'll be back down there to get photos!

[Mark Allen M]

Your very welcome, I tend to be heavy on research and short on knowledge haha. Cannot wait for more of your outstanding photography. What is it with you guys way up there in the PNW. Between you and Spooky the Cat, it would be hard pressed to find better warbird photographers. Thank you again for taking the time to show us that fantastic collection.

M

[Fight2FlyPhoto]

FHC just made the following FB post regarding the Hellcat:

The scheme was chosen to honor a local ace. Lt. Reuben H. Denoff flew in the invasion of North Africa, fought with VF-9 in the Pacific, and then joined VF-12 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Randolph. The Hellcat, adorned with the Randolph’s distinctive striped “G-symbol” tail, will fly this summer as part of the FHC’s Free Fly Days. Denoff finished the war with a total of five confirmed air-to-air victories. Eventually, he settled in Kennewick, Washington and worked for McDonnell Douglas Laboratories in Richland. He passed away in 1988

[Mark Allen M]

Again great choice with Mr. Denoff, certainly worthy of the honor with the FHC. here is VF-9 on board the USS Essex ...


F6F-3 Grumman Hellcats of VF-9 lined up on the flight deck of the USS Essex CV-9 1943


F6F-3 Hellcat from VF-9 launching from the deck of the USS Essex CV-9 1943


F6F-3 Grumman Hellcat of VF-9 landing on the flight deck of the USS Essex CV-9 3-25-1943


F6F-3 Grumman Hellcat of VF-9 launching from the flight deck of the USS Essex CV-9 1943

Commander Reuben H. Denoff would eventually become CO of VBF-12 onboard the USS Randolph

[Mark Allen M]

Here is a second VF-9 apparently in 1945 with the USS Lexington, nice scheme here too.


F6F-5 Grumman Hellcats of VF-9 preparing to catapult a flight of F6Fs from the flight deck of the USS Lexington CV-16 2-25-1945

[12XU2A3X3]

question on running engines. are warbirds (generally speaking) run with engine area access panels of as a preemptive matter in most cases (should an adjustment need to be made) or are they removed base on the nature of a suspected problem. with the viper, doors and panels are opened (per T.O.) as required for a job.

[Fight2FlyPhoto]

Usually they've got panels/cowls removed if they think they're going to have to do some tweaking.

[The Inspector]

Usually they've got panels/cowls removed if they think they're going to have to do some tweaking.

Or spot where a fluid may be leaking from, to spot a fire on an initial startup, myriad reasons

[spookythecat]

Your very welcome, I tend to be heavy on research and short on knowledge haha. Cannot wait for more of your outstanding photography. What is it with you guys way up there in the PNW. Between you and Spooky the Cat, it would be hard pressed to find better warbird photographers. Thank you again for taking the time to show us that fantastic collection.

M

Aww...shucks. Thank you. I wish I were closer and more free to pop up to FHC but i'm very glad we have Jason to keep us posted on what's going on at Paine Field.

This has always been a favorite paint scheme of mine an am really looking forward to seeing it come to life.

[Fight2FlyPhoto]

Some more movement over at FHC as they moved the Hellcat to the paint shop.


IMG_9929_stitch by fight2flyphoto, on Flickr


IMG_9938 by fight2flyphoto, on Flickr


IMG_9950 by fight2flyphoto, on Flickr


IMG_9978 by fight2flyphoto, on Flickr

Not sure when it'll be done, but you can be sure I'll make a valiant effort to get there first!

[CH2Tdriver]

Make sure to tell them that after they apply the decals, another spray of gloss clear coat will seal them in nicely. I prefer a little Tamiya flattening agent to tone down the gloss to give it that realistic scale effect.

[k5083]

Too bad it's too late to tell them they should have mixed in a little white for scale effect. Doesn't look like they pre-shaded the panel lines either.

August

[StangStung]

:D Too bad it's too late to tell them they should have mixed in a little white for scale effect. Doesn't look like they pre-shaded the panel lines either.

August

This made me laugh.

Thanks for the pics!

Not trying to start a fuss on paint, just asking as I can't recall - this is a "representative" scheme, correct? This isn't the same Hellcat that was on the carrier during the war?

Anyone know the history of this particular airframe (cliffs notes version would suffice).

[Fight2FlyPhoto]

Haha, nice ones about the decals/modeling! You should have seen Corey's reaction when he finished adding one of the "32" masks and a docent asked him why the other side said 23. LOL

I was curious if they had to use one of those little kid pools to soak the decals in.

This made me laugh.

Thanks for the pics!

Not trying to start a fuss on paint, just asking as I can't recall - this is a "representative" scheme, correct? This isn't the same Hellcat that was on the carrier during the war?

Anyone know the history of this particular airframe (cliffs notes version would suffice).

Yes, she was built in '45 (IIRC) as a -5N, then converted to drone -5K. No combat history, so they chose to go with this scheme to recognize a local ace, noted above, who lived in Kennewick, WA.

Right now the sun is out and it may actually be a decent day. I'll hop on over there this afternoon to see if they plan on running anything.

[Fight2FlyPhoto]

Unfortunately on this first cloudless, WARM day (well, maybe hit 50* with no wind) in 2013, no planes left their hangars for engine runs. Each passing day this construction nears completion is a good day for me, as it means fewer distractions to worry about in either photos, video, and/or audio. So, I took advantage and snapped some shots of a wonderfully exposed Daimler-Benz 601.

I don't know how the majority of you folks feel about black and white photos, but I must admit, the following do look really nice that way! I'm posting the color ones here... if you wanna see the BW click on any of the photos to go to my Flickr page. And as always, if you want to stay as up-to-date as possible with my various adventures, check out my Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/Fight2Fly

Enough of that, here are the pics:


IMG_9743_4_5Enhancer by fight2flyphoto, on Flickr
I was glad to see they were working on the 109 this early in the year. Unfortunately I missed the gear swing. Hopefully I'll be able to be present during engine runs.


IMG_9827_8_9Adjust by fight2flyphoto, on Flickr


IMG_9869_70_71Adjust by fight2flyphoto, on Flickr


IMG_9818_19_20Enhancer by fight2flyphoto, on Flickr
Ammunition boxes for the MG 17's


IMG_9851 by fight2flyphoto, on Flickr
Before they took the Hellcat out yesterday, I took this shot of the P&W 2800.


IMG_9776_7_8Adjust by fight2flyphoto, on Flickr
Zero, Hellcat, Mitchell, 109.


IMG_9788_89_90Enhancer by fight2flyphoto, on Flickr
The P&W powered Franken-Zero.