Warbird Information Exchange

Steve,

Which one? Mark and Flat are correct about TE392, but you can also see the fuselage of Spitfire IX BR601 in one of the shots.

Jim

Ryan,

H&P did complete the AD on all the flyable Privateer's

_________________
Michael Luther
Yankee Air Museum's
Air Show Director
THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN

Is the YAF shopping?

(I'm not sure what strings are attached or the overall condition the PB4Y-2 YAF already has.)

_________________
www.tailhookstudio.com

I did not know of the re-engined "Super Privateers" until reading this thread. A considerable upgrade!

I've heard of the R-3350 conversion of Rare Bare, were there any other interesting re-enginings done?

Some PBY's had B-25 QEC engine packages for fire fighting duties. Sea Fury's have had PW 3350's replacing the original sleeve value powerplant.
The Red Baron P-51 had RR Griffon replacement.
Those are just for starters.
Jerry

Hi All,

Any Idea when the folks at Lone Star will be completing this one ? It will be quite an addition to their considerable flyable collection. Would love to see this one at Thunder Over Michigan some day.

On a side note...I have been to Thunder Over Michigan now the past two years, and have seen their Privateer. On the surface, to me at least, it looks to be fairly complete. And, in my opinion could be a candidate for restoration. Now, I know the YAF doesn't have the funds or facility near term to do something like that, but does anyone else know or think that the YAF Privateer could be restored to airworthy again ?

Paul

I believe it suffered some damage on a crash landing in Alaska, and the reports I've heard are that it'll never fly. However, I guess enogh money poured into anything can make an airplane a flyer!
Jerry

TE392 was the gate gaurdian at RAF Hereford(i think?) ,i was there doing my square bashing bit as a basic recruit , a few of us were ordered to the main gate to help while it was taken apart to go on the back of a truck ... Suddenly feel old , i was 16 at the time .....

I hope I am not too far behind here- having been out of town for a few weeks. To answer some of the past questions regarding the LSFM PB4Y yes those are Wright R2600's on the airplane in place of the original equipment 1830's. This was a modifaction done by the Fire Bomber outfitts to provide more power and if you look closely you will see that basically everything from the firewall forward is from a B25. Due to availablity (or lack thereof) of original mounts, cowlings, etc the current plan is to retain the 2600's. While they are not original it seems that all of the pieces are present or readily available and we know that it will work safely. OF COURSE, If someone would like to step up and throw some money at the project I am sure the musuem would be glad to go with fitting the original engines, right now however it doesn't make sense to reinvent the wheel.

In answer to the second question regarding time table there is a very dedicated group of volunteers working on it, however keeping the other aircraft flying tends to keep a lot of folks busy. Of course a large donation or two would definetly speed up the process. As with all off the other restorations at teh musuem there is a very deep commitment to quality and right now the focus is on getting it done right, as opposed to just getting it done.

Steve S

The YAFs PB4Y is a mess, It was cut into 10-12 peices when it arrived and had been in salt water for a few days. The corrosion is bad and the cuts have been covered over. But with anything money would fix it.

_________________
Michael Luther
Yankee Air Museum's
Air Show Director
THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN

Thanks for the update Steve. I just wish I was a little closer and could volunteer to help with the restoration activities.

Can you tell me who I would need to contact in advance to get access to get up close to take a lot of detail pictures for my 1/9th scale RC model I will be building.

OUCH !! I never realized that.

I made the assumption of potential restoration based on just a qucik look over what I could see of the airframe. Being an inspector of aircraft I did see some corrosion evident on the fuselage skin of course, but not trully knowing the airframe and without going in depth on an inspection, I would never have guessed it was as bad as you indicate. Sigh............but I do understand that in this world, if you throw enough money at anything it can be done. And I also realize that for the most part large scale warbirds of this nature would indeed take a great amount of resources to make her airworthy again. Perhaps someday.............

Paul

Yes it does look good if you don't know what it has been throu.

_________________
Michael Luther
Yankee Air Museum's
Air Show Director
THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN

Connery - OF course volunteering would be the easiest way to get a close up look but if that is not possible you could try calling the musuem (look at the web page for a number) and checking with the mechanics about setting up a closer look. Your best bet is to show up on a Tuesday or Thursday as those are the days that the PB4Y regularas are usually there working on her. Keep in mind most of them are volunteers so I can't make any promises. Good luck

Steve S