Hoping to find out the Identity of the Branson Harpoon

[GARY HILTON]

Hercrat, I am not sure which is the down strut. I don't have the manuals for the Harpoon anymore, so if you could describe it to me.

Do you have a PV, or an L-18/C-60/Lodestar? They are different, but some of the Lodestars (Howards) used the PV-2 main gear. I have a complete set of gear for the Lodestar.

G

[GARY HILTON]

This is what the Poon looked like on our arrival
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t120 ... 1361414486
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t120 ... CF1040.jpg

[GARY HILTON]

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t120 ... CF1041.jpg
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t120 ... CF1042.jpg
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t120 ... CF1043.jpg

[GARY HILTON]

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t120 ... CF1044.jpg
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t120 ... CF1047.jpg
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t120 ... CF1049.jpg

[GARY HILTON]

I have never seen a Harpoon nose like this one. No sign of any machinegun mounts, there is a large hinge that swings the fiberglass nose section straight up. The rear part the attaches just in front of the cockpit, is solid except for lightning holes.
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t120 ... CF1052.jpg
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t120 ... CF1053.jpg

More pics as she comes aparthttp://i158.photobucket.com/albums ... CF1054.jpg
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t120 ... CF1055.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t120 ... CF1056.jpg

[GARY HILTON]

As stated before, we were fairly disappointed at the condition of the airframe. We got the wings cut up today and a little loaded on the trailer. We are supposed to be getting some foul weather this evening, but are still planning on getting some work done tomorrow even if it is crappy. WE are having to cut the airframe in small pieces in order to get the aluminum as clean of iron, steel, or any other ferrous metals to get the highest value for the aluminum, to cover our expenses. At least we got to see the Titanic, or the half that didn't sink here in Missouri. By the way, I didn't get a picture of it, but the replica Mustang is back up and looking good.
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t120 ... CF1051.jpg

[hercrat]

Hercrat, I am not sure which is the down strut. I don't have the manuals for the Harpoon anymore, so if you could describe it to me.

Do you have a PV, or an L-18/C-60/Lodestar? They are different, but some of the Lodestars (Howards) used the PV-2 main gear. I have a complete set of gear for the Lodestar.

G

Gary:

What a mess! Poor Poon has seen better days that's for sure!
We have a PV-1 and are striving (against big odds) to make it airworthy. You can see it at www.rcafventura.ca if you already haven't seen it.
Anyway, back in 1961 an AD was issued concerning the Main Landing Gear Lower Drag Struts. They had been found understrength from manufacture. Explains why you see so many Ventura's on their belly pics!
The PV-2 struts were a recommended replacement. The part number is 125715 on the Poon. A hardness test on this strut will not be necessary according to the AD. The strut will weigh about 15.5 pounds.
We Rockwell tested our struts and they failed so we're not installing them! Been on the scrounge for PV-2 struts since.
We'd appreciate a set if they are there! I've got the PV-2 IPC on the laptop if you need a diagram.

Best Regards:

Tony Jarvis

[GARY HILTON]

Tony, please send the diagram. This Harpoon only has the stbd landing gear. As you can see, sitting on her belly, it's not at the best angle to see what all is in the wheel well. Hopefully I'll get a good view tomorrow.

[hercrat]

Gary:

As requested! The part we need is #4 on this IPC scan. We could also use the attachment that #8 bolts into at the spar. No number in this scan but you can see it were #8 attaches to the spar web.
#4 is the most important however!

Thanks for your help and your generous offer to help anyone on WIX with parts. It takes a lot of effort and time and I am sure I speak for the entire group by saying we really appreciate it.

Tony

[B 25 C]

Gary
I can't open the photo links and I have photo bucket. Could you post a picture.
Thanks

[GARY HILTON]

Sorry, but I am not computer literate....I don't know why photobucket does not show the picture, or how to change it, but will look it over...

[Wildchild]

This is what the Poon looked like on our arrival

I have never seen a Harpoon nose like this one. No sign of any machinegun mounts, there is a large hinge that swings the fiberglass nose section straight up. The rear part the attaches just in front of the cockpit, is solid except for lightning holes.



More pics as she comes apart

[GARY HILTON]

Thanks Wildchild......everything has been painted over, but rubbing on the rib I can vaguely make out some numbers. Sux, cause I didn't bring my Lockheed book too. What I can make out looks to be the last four digits of the Lockheed s/n...it could be 1468 or 1488 (15-1468/15-1488) What I do know, is that the Poon came from Borrego Springs over 15 years ago, Grasso brought her back east and set it up here in Branson. From what I understand, Carl Scholl bought two Harpoons in Calexico and trucked them to Borrego Spgs. He does not remember the serial numbers from the two aircraft, but there were two listed in the Marston Lockheed Twins book that were in Calexico, Ca. I am positive that this PV is one of the two. Any thoughts on this?

G

[Taigh Ramey]

1468/37502 was the stock and original fuselage that the CAF in Milwaukee picked up from falcon field for the interior fittings and subsequently scrapped so I doubt it was this one.

I have nothing on 1488.

Remember to look for a small plate with a construction number on the forward side of the throttle console. It is a metal strip with the number embossed on it. Attached with two screws.

Also a black stencil on top of he tinted zinc under the pilots sliding window. Or the large white construction number on the wing root on the first rib outboard of the nacelle, both sides.

[Andy Marden]

According to "The Lockheed Twins", 15-1488/37522 was N6647D, damaged by a hurricane in Belize around 1964 and last heard of there in July 1976.
Unlikely I would think.
Andy