Warbird Information Exchange

ISTR many, many years ago seeing something, maybe even before the real Zero and before the B-26 was made flyable, among the CAF's projects were a Curtiss O-52, a Waco CG-4 and Sikorsky R-4. Whatever became of them?

I'd love to see a CG-4 (obviously restored and very possibly re-engineered to make it safer) fly behind a C-47 and land at an airshow. It's low tech enough to make it a fairly practical proposition if a team were dedicated enough.

The R-4 also would be welcome, but again, since I'm guessing airworthy quality parts (rotor blades, transmissions, etc.) don't exist, it would have to be new and probably re-engineered to make it practical/safe.

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I think the R-4 is still around (in Midland). they could never find an engine for it, but now that static restorations are OK?

I'd have thought an engine was the lest of their worries...it's a Warner, so not exactly common...R-550-1 or -3, radial. I'd have thought the wooden fabric covered blades would be the show-stopper.

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

Are there any flyable R-4s?

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"Welcome back Mr. Lasky."

There was a flyable O-52 on the cover of Air Classics or Warbirds International some years ago.

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"Welcome back Mr. Lasky."

Nope. Nor H-5s(S-51s) or H-6s which had R-4 rotors and transmission in a new fuselage with a new engine (a Franklin O-405).

_________________
Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

That was Warbirds International about 1984 or so...and that O-52 is at the Yanks Museum in Chino. Not sure if it's still in airworthy condition though.

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Offer me solutions, offer me alternatives, and I decline......

Someone who has been around out here longer than I have will need to speak up on the subject of the O-52, though I am fairly sure the aircraft is not still represented in our collection.
Part of the CG-4 was used for a display and the Sikorsky R-4 is certainly still around. We do have the rotor assembly in storage and the instruments and other equipment are on site as well. As mentioned, the engine posed something of a challenge - though the aircraft will be going back together as a long term static display akin to the one found in the Udvar-Hazy center.

If anyone has any of the materials and maintenance manuals associated with the R-4 we would certainly be interested in having more information to utilize in the rebuild.

The ex CAF O-52 (40-2746) is now with Yanks in Chino. They have 2 Owls 40-2746 and 40-2769. Geoff has the info here:

http://www.goodall.com.au/warbirds-dire ... urtiss.pdf

On a side note these were with AmJet in Anoka, MN. I do not know where they have moved on to...
Anyone know where they are now?

A friend who used to work for them told me that the Muszala brothers had an O-52 project in Tucson at one point. Anybody that can confirm?

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Chad Veich
CWVeich Models
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Scale Model Design & Construction

Finally got around to it. Pictures of the R-4 at Midland on the Sunday of Airsho this year.

JMC

Wasn't the local CAF Cadet detachment working on the R-4? Looks like work has stopped since I saw it a few years ago in much the same condition.