Warbird Information Exchange

Interesting project. Can't wait for some detail photos.
http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?do=m ... 730436858b

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Magister Aviation
It's all in my book

Here's an article about it in the San Diego newspaper today


http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/jan/18/flyboys-soar-p40-warhawk/

The usual question: what's the ID and combat history on this ex-Alaskan P-40? Is it an E or a K? In the photo on the back of the truck you can see the remains of Aleutian Tiger markings on the cowling (which, of course, have been replaced by the usual sharkmouth... ).

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All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

This was in my back yard and I knew nothing about it? Dang! I am slipping!

Chris, you nearly took the words right out of my mouth. A *GENUINE* 343rd FG "Aleutian Tiger", and it winds up with yet ANOTHER f***ing 23rd FG scheme. Jeezus Keerist, people, OTHER PEOPLE FLEW THE D@MN P-40, YOU KNOW THAT, RIGHT?!

I cannot even fathom why they'd do this. And I'm sure they didn't bother to try and save the original tiger's head markings, or try to work anything out with a museum in Alaska which would likely beat their own mothers for a chance to have an actual Aleutians combat vet on display. Sorry, call me a killjoy or whatever, but this seems so completely anathema to the idea of "preserving history" that it borders on the clinically insane.

And just to be clear, this isn't aimed at Flyboys- they just did what their client asked them to do, and seem to have done a very nice job of it.

Lynn

Except the cowling which does not appear to contain any original parts...

I wonder on whose wall the tiger head now hangs.

Ebay alert.

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

So is this all new-build using the original aircraft for patterns, or is this a restoration of that airframe?

Maybe there will be a flyer to come out of this yet?

So apparently Grumman produced a BPF Avenger, never heard of that one. Does someone have photos?:
"There are also countless relics, from uniforms, canteens and diaries to Jeeps, tanks, a PT boat and a squadron of war planes — including a BPF Avenger restored by the Flyboys."

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"According to the map, we've only gone 4 inches."

Their Web page says it's a P-40E

Also, on their About page (http://flyboysaeroworks.com/about/) it says:

"How We Do It

Our restoration projects begin with an actual or remnants of an actual aircraft. Aside from its inability to fly, the completed aircraft is meticulously restored to look, feel and weigh in exactly as an airworthy variant of the same aircraft at a fraction of the cost of an airworthy restoration.

To retain the aircraft’s authenticity, we employ many of the same methods and materials utilized in its original manufacture. We employ CNC technology and laser metrology when these processes inherently derive significant time and cost savings.

Many of the marquee assemblies and features of the aircraft are original. Replicated items are manufactured to appear identical to the original component.

Most of the aircraft assemblies are meticulously hand made to exacting standards.

Our standards and ethics:

We abide by The Code of Ethics of The American Institute for Conservation of Historical and Artistic Artifacts and ascribe to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum standards and best practices."

Given all of that, I'd like to know... how do their restorations fall short of "airworthy" and why go through all of that and not make them actually "airworthy"?

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“To invent the airplane is nothing. To build one is something. But to fly is everything!” - Otto Lilienthal

Natasha: "You got plan, darling?"
Boris: "I always got plan. They don't ever work, but I always got one!"

Remember, any dummy can be a dumb-ass...
In order to be a smart-ass, you first have to be "smart"
and to be a wise-ass, you actually have to be "wise"

tragic and horrible. That's all I will say

The P-40 is so much more if people just did a little research!

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Shop the Airplane Bunker At
www.warbirdbunker.com

Its amazing, 16,802 P40's produced and half of the survivors seem to have belonged to the Flying Kitty Kats

At this rate, the AVG must have operated about 8,000 of the type.



Not sure if their statement means much.

Our standards and ethics:

We abide by The Code of Ethics of The American Institute for Conservation of Historical and Artistic Artifacts and ascribe to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum standards and best practices."

I think there must be at least 8 restored/static examples that came from Russia under lend lease and not one authetic restored scheme - if even for a single season. Must be mccarthyism at work.

Sorry, for me stock original including the paint and markings or you might as well just make an airfix model.

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'Coups De Foudre'
(511FS, 405FG watering hole), St Dizier, France 1944/45

I think it is very disappointing that they did not keep the original Aleutian Tiger markings. Why would you do that. This is an actual Aleutian Tiger. I would give anything to have it and restore it back to what it was. I saw this project around 2005 and wanted it then but couldn't put the money together to get it. Here are a few pics of it. I don't have permission from the past owner to give any details about him or the plane, Sorry.

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Don't let the scrappers win !!!!!!!

Eric Miller
Project Warbird Salvage/Museum
http://www.projectwarbird.com

It appears to me that in the pre restoration photo's there are a lot of details on the wreck that don't look right.... I'm thinking it's been cobbled together using a lot of original wreckage & parts.... & it wasn't really what it was being presented as.

Of course I may well be wrong... but since when did Curtiss use what look like universal head type rivets are all over the fuselage (as opposed to only under fillets & fairings)? Also, the cockpit side skins were bare on the inside & show a material spec. stencilling which from my experience was prevalent in the 1960/70's era?