-4 wings
Mon Mar 20, 2006 8:22 pm
Rob Mears wrote "I'd like to see a couple of detailed shots of the wing fold area on each wing of the F4U-4 on display in the "simulator room". The wings cannot be unfolded due to damage received following the hurricane in 1992, but I failed to inspect the bits in the wing fold to see if there is any obvious damage to the visible attachment points or locking pin mechanism."
Hey Rob,
The -4 wing fold areas were in good shape when we assembled the -4 in the sim room. There was wing tip damage that was fixed cosmetically, and the left wing fold cylinder attach point had damage. There was no damage to the wing hinge areas, downlock areas, etc. We hydraulically folded the right wing, and manually folded the left one, then installed the jury struts. When I last saw the aircraft, the wings could be spread if needed.
Craig
Hey Rob,
The -4 wing fold areas were in good shape when we assembled the -4 in the sim room. There was wing tip damage that was fixed cosmetically, and the left wing fold cylinder attach point had damage. There was no damage to the wing hinge areas, downlock areas, etc. We hydraulically folded the right wing, and manually folded the left one, then installed the jury struts. When I last saw the aircraft, the wings could be spread if needed.
Craig
Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:52 am
That's excellent news Craig, and thanks for the heads up. My information came from on of the curators that happened to be hanging around the simulator room the day I visited a couple of years ago. Nice to hear a first hand account from someone that was there when the pieces went together. 
Tue Mar 21, 2006 8:08 am
How about some close up pictures of their Liberator..I know she hasn't flown in years but I am curious as to how close to airworthly she might still be!!
thks
Andrew
And yes open up the containers on take a few of the Lancaster for us!!
thks
Andrew
And yes open up the containers on take a few of the Lancaster for us!!