Your Most Coveted Parts (Warbird & GA)

AHancock51 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 31, 2015 10:45 pm

Hello again, WIX'ers!

Have a simple, maybe, question of you all. Basically, I am curious as to what one part (or parts) are the hardest to come-by or reproduce. This can be due to scarcity, cost, rarity, complexity of machining/manufacturing, etc.

I am just curious as to what the "holy grails" of warbird, vintage, and GA aircraft is. Thanks!

L-4Pilot · **Joined:** Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:35 pm **Posts:** 616

1. 8 Ft and 54" FM whip antennas for O-1, O-2 and T-41B ....very rare to find
2. Original interior panels and seat cushions for O-1, O-2 and T-41B almost non existent

PinecastleAAF · **Joined:** Fri May 25, 2007 4:50 pm **Posts:** 1028

It is my understanding that B-17 wing spar tubes are very hard to make. I was told the equipment that made them and method (rod drawing and reeling) no longer exits. Not sure if that is the type of thing you are looking for. Of course Ball Turrets are pretty rare plus more exciting.

Triplane102 · **Joined:** Wed Oct 15, 2014 12:55 pm **Posts:** 491

Maybe Prop Blades for, F8f BearCat, P-63 King Cobra, P-40 B/C, P-51H , B-26 , B-29 & most electric ones for F4-f Wildcat, P-47, & SB2- C Helldiver , & Sea Fury ? Oops! Almost forgot, P-38 & P-82 also! & most parts for Centaurus & Mercury Engines !

AHancock51 · **Posted:** Sun Feb 01, 2015 4:25 pm

L-4Pilot wrote:

1. 8 Ft and 54" FM whip antennas for O-1, O-2 and T-41B ....very rare to find
2. Original interior panels and seat cushions for O-1, O-2 and T-41B almost non existent

Ahh, most interesting! Thank you for the input. What differs between the T-41 seats/panels as compared to a traditional 172?

PinecastleAAF wrote:

It is my understanding that B-17 wing spar tubes are very hard to make. I was told the equipment that made them and method (rod drawing and reeling) no longer exits. Not sure if that is the type of thing you are looking for. Of course Ball Turrets are pretty rare plus more exciting.

This is EXACTLY what I am looking for, thank you for the "lead." And yes, Ball Turrets are always cool! :drinkers:

TBM Tony wrote:

Maybe Prop Blades for, F8f BearCat, P-63 King Cobra, P-40 B/C, P-51H , B-26 , B-29 & most electric ones for F4-f Wildcat, P-47, & SB2- C Helldiver , & Sea Fury ? Oops! Almost forgot, P-38 & P-82 also! & most parts for Centaurus & Mercury Engines !

Ohh yes, of COURSE blades are going to be on the "rare" list. I remember when the VWoC Spit nosed over here, back in '04. The wood blade was split, and you could see the layers of laminate/glue/wood/etc that held it together. Very complex and precise work.

Thanks all! Keep 'em coming!

ProudKerman · **Posted:** Sun Feb 01, 2015 5:36 pm

Serviceable Beaufighter props and airworthy early Mk Hercules engines.

L-4Pilot · **Joined:** Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:35 pm **Posts:** 616

Here is an original panel from the T-41B we are restoring. The T-41B has the same seats as the O-2. The AF T-41A is a different aircraft and used the 145 hp engine and civilian interior with no quick release door. The B has a 210 HP engine and different type certificate..

Fleet16b · **Posted:** Sun Feb 01, 2015 8:39 pm

On my bucket one of my hard to find items is an exhaust assembly for the Kinner 5cyl radial engine
as used on Fleet 16b Finch biplanes
I have been looking for approx 3 years now .
Don't know if they are rare or my adds and inquiries have just not been sen by someone that owns these parts
I have about 50% of it but am still hoping to get enough to make up an entire assy
Please PM me if anyone has anything

JohnB · **Posted:** Sun Feb 01, 2015 10:54 pm

The tailfin from an early H-13, probably a D or E.
Unlike most you see on flying aircraft, it's fabric covered like a control surface.

I finally saw an airworthy Bell with one just last week, the H-13E kept at the CAF hangar in Mesa.

grimes · **Joined:** Sat Jul 26, 2014 3:54 pm **Posts:** 34

Original B-17 and original B-29 Yoke Cap

Click for larger image

K5DH · **Posted:** Mon Feb 02, 2015 10:03 am

VFM is in need of a set of prop hubs for our Piaggio P.136 Royal Gull amphibian. Only 42 of these aircraft were ever built, and just a few still exist. The prop hubs are ultra-rare and there is no substitute for the originals. We could restore our Gull to flying condition if we could obtain a set of prop hubs.

After watching seasons 1 - 4 of "Ice Pilots NWT", it seems that C-46 exhaust parts and Lockheed L-188 Electra propellers are in great demand and hard to come by. I recall hearing that a set of good spare props for an Electra are worth nearly as much as a complete flying airplane. The Buffalo crew has literally traveled the world in search of C-46 exhaust parts.

garbs · **Posted:** Mon Feb 02, 2015 4:23 pm

I had heard once that the attach points for P-82 main gear are complex castings and the number of functional sets extant equals the number of Twin Mustangs now in museums or under restoration exactly (i.e., no spares). Apparently this is the part you break if you flare too high and pancake it on the runway.

Clifford Bossie · **Posted:** Mon Feb 02, 2015 10:40 pm

F-84F/RF-84F Canopy, pylons, drop tanks and cockpit parts. Then I could bring War Eagles F-84 up to the display standards I envision.

AHancock51 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 03, 2015 7:38 pm

Very good input, thanks!

Rick65 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 04, 2015 5:39 am

Aren't P-39 reduction gearbox parts the items limiting the number of Airacobras able to return to the air?

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Your Most Coveted Parts (Warbird & GA)

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