NMUSAF A-25 Update? Please!

[HELLDIVERS]

DAN AND DAVE THANKS FOR YOUR EFFORTS!! I CAN MAKE ALMOST ANYTHING FROM ALUMINUM BUT IM NOT PATIENT ENOUGH FOR THE COMPUTER WORLD!! ELEVATORS WILL BE ON TONIGHT,NEW PHOTOS IN THE NEXT DAY OR SO. LOTS OF LITTLE DETAILS LEFT BUT MOST AIR FRAME PARTS ARE DONE.WERE GETTING INTO THE FINAL STAGES OF THE PROJECT BUT IVE ALREADY LEARN THAT THE ROLL OUT DATE IS STILL AN UNKNOWN.WEVE TRIED NOT TO CUT ANY CORNERS ON THE RESTORATION SO IF IT TAKES A LITTLE LONGER ITS MY FAULT.OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE IT AS CLOSE TO FACTORY ORIGINAL AS IF IT JUST ROLLED OUT OF THE CURTISS PLANT IN ST. LOUIS 61 YEARS AGO THANKS MIKE

[ramprat]

On the subject of a recoverable SB2C, I wonder if the NHC could work out a trade with Thailand? I think they have a complete example sitting static in a museum.

[airnutz]

Maybe Airnutz can do some research down at the Rosenberg Library. I remember seeing pictures of an A-25 squadron at Galveston Army Airlield that towed targets for the P-47 training squadrons at Galveston and Matagorda. There was one or more crashes on the Island and specifically Teichman Road.

That's do-able Sky... in fact required, the Rosenberg's online access is
a disappointment in view of it being the oldest continuous library in Texas.
(Edit: Public library, that is.)
I'll have to set aside a day to go down to the island for some archive
digging. Haven't been there since high school...thanks for the
suggestion.

[airnutz]

On the subject of a recoverable SB2C, I wonder if the NHC could work out a trade with Thailand? I think they have a complete example sitting static in a museum.

Here's a link Ramprat to the Thai Helldiver, as well as an "apparently"
complete example of a Vought V-93s, as well as a good story of the
Auckland Museum's history of their Mitsu. Zero...
http://members.tripod.com/peterlewisdes ... ldiver.htm

[Jim MacDonald]

Don't forget there's still that crashed SB2C-5 that's still available for sale in the States.

I've tried, but I can't seem to find 385,000 people to donate $1 each to my cause. Oh well.

Mac

[HELLDIVERS]

HI I SENT A FEW PHOTOS TO ROB THIS MORNING,IHOPE HE WILL POST THEM THEY WERE TAKEN YESTERDAY. THANKS MIKE

[bdk]

MIKE, WHAT HAS BEEN THE HARDEST PART OF THE RESTORATION?

DO YOU DO THE ENGLISH WHEEL WORK YOURSELF?

ALL CAPS IN HONOR OF YOUR GREAT WORK AND DEDICATION!!!!!

[Forgotten Field]

Definitely the time lost when a person like me calls on the phone to Bullsh** and keeps him from artfully crafting a particular piece. Mike, looks great. You have a lot to be proud of. I really hope it sets you up for the next big adventure and really appreciate your dedication to this fine, important, historically signifigant restoration. If the USN had a clue, they'd be calling you right now...

[HELLDIVERS]

HI I HAVE DONE ALL OF THE ENGLISH WHEEL WORK.IM LUCKY TO HAVE H.O.AIRCRAFT DOWN THE STREET ,THEY HAVE A VERY NICE WHEEL .ALSO A YODER HAMMER!! THE HARDEST PART?ALL OF THE TIME INVESTED,MICRO WAVE MEALS,LATE NITES,FEELING LIKE IM BROKE ALL THE TIME, TRYING TO HUSTLE ENOUGH MONEY EACH MONTH TO KEEP THE LIGHTS ON ,BUT ON THE OTHER HAND IM LIVING A DREAM FROM MY CHILDHOOD.THE SATISFACTION OF CREATING THE A-25 FROM 2 VERY BADLY DAMAGED A/C IS WORTH ALL OF THE EFFORTS.THE RESTORATION WORK HAS BEEN VERY STRAIGHT FORWARD,WHILE ITS BEEN ALLOT OF HARD WORK WE TRY TO STAY FOCUSED ON THE END RESULT .WE DO MOST ALL OF OUR WORK IN HOUSE.THANKS MIKE

[HELLDIVERS]

HI IM FINISHING THE HUGE AILERONS, ENGINE AND ACC COWLINGS ARE ABOUT 90%,OIL COOLER DUCT,AND COOLER DOORS ARE DONE,ALL COWL FLAPS ARE DONE.I JUST RECIEVED THE BLUE PRINTS FOR THE RUDDER TODAY FROM WRIGHT PATTERSON,MORE PHOTOS COMMING SOON.THERE IS A PHOTO AND SMALL STORY IN THE LATEST WARBIRD JOURNAL AND A NEW ARTICAL IN FLIGHT JOURNAL.THANKS MIKE

[Dan K]

And the Flight Journal piece courtesy of fellow WIXer Ron "Kaigun Fan" Werneth.

Isn't the WIX a happy, wonderful place?!

[Abbott]

I`m glad to see that a plane such as the Helldiver is being restored. Always seems the Mustangs & 109`s and the likes, get all the attention. Everyone knows the P-51 was a great bird, but it was not the only bird out there fighting, and did not win the air war single handed. In my opinion, more time SHOULD be spent on recovering & restoring other & perhaps lesser known types. What about the Japanese bombers ? How often does anyone get the chance to see one, restored or not ? How about Blenheims,Havocs,TBDs,B-29`s,Ki-84`s, NASMs Grace ? Gladiators, SM.79`s....the list is endless. I know it`s not as easy as it sounds...ie money, parts and airframes...but if there is a possibilty a type could be saved and displayed.......should`nt it be done ? We owe it to ourselves, both friend & foe, and to our Mothers & Fathers whom built, fought and died in these machines. I wish I could have the money to restore them,...If I did, I would...but the last plane to roll out of my shop, would be ANOTHER P-51.....OK guys !........Fire away !

[N3Njeff]

diddent know you were looking for info??????

[TimAPNY]

Mike,

Let me know when your ready to post some new pics and send them off. Also found the crash file on the Vermont SB2C.

RER

Rob
Any info in that file that might make a walk in the woods a bit easier? or more tempting? I'd love to know a bit of history of the wreck.

Jeff
Any luck on getting a location of the site?

Tim

[dj51d]

Also just thought of something. Does anybody know if the NMUSAF got a replacement A-24 Banshee for the one that was moved to Midway Airport in Chicago?

There was an A-24 there back in September.