"Golden Apple" F-86A Returning to the U.S.

[JohnH]

Is the FHC one Ben Hall's old bird?

The one coming back from England being mentioned here is the Ben Hall A model.

[Jfs111]

Unfortunately, centerline and right wing fuel cells were not airworthy and beyond repair. Building new ones using originals as a template has put the project way behind schedule. Since we missed Oshkosh, the restoration of operative lead edge slats is being researched and hopefully accomplished before test flights begin. Even without the fuel cell issue, Oshkosh couldn't have happened due to the lengthy FAA certification process which is still ongoing. Maybe next year?

[Lon Moer]

Unfortunately, centerline and right wing fuel cells were not airworthy and beyond repair. Building new ones using originals as a template has put the project way behind schedule. Since we missed Oshkosh, the restoration of operative lead edge slats is being researched and hopefully accomplished before test flights begin. Even without the fuel cell issue, Oshkosh couldn't have happened due to the lengthy FAA certification process which is still ongoing. Maybe next year?

Welcome to the site!! Thanks for the update and feel free to update us here as often as you can stand.

[quemerford]

Unfortunately, centerline and right wing fuel cells were not airworthy and beyond repair. Building new ones using originals as a template has put the project way behind schedule. Since we missed Oshkosh, the restoration of operative lead edge slats is being researched and hopefully accomplished before test flights begin. Even without the fuel cell issue, Oshkosh couldn't have happened due to the lengthy FAA certification process which is still ongoing. Maybe next year?

Be nice to see the slats working again - but I think you have a mix of early and late tracks and rollers (Ben Hall or Jim Larsen referred to these a loooong time ago). Certainly the F-86A IPC and Flight Manual confirm two different geometries available, plus slat locks on early model F-86As.

Every time I've seen those leading edges close-up they've been screwed shut, but I think any form of slatted wing would behave better than the 'narrow-chord, hard-edge' fit that is currently unique to '178.

I have a lot of archive correspondence with various player's in '178's service (USAF and ANG) if the new owner is interested.

[Jfs111]

Very interested! Have a digitized copy of original A model microfiche coming from Duxford. Was hopeful the only difference is the radius of slat tracks. Plan to stop in at Chanute to get a close look at their A model. It has a 1947 build date. Maybe the Air Force museum would consider a swap if the entire lead edge section is different as well. Rumor has it that the Chanute A model may be scrapped due to radium contamination? At any rate, any historical info relating to 178 would be of interest.

Thank you for the great update Jfs111!

If you have an opportunity to update as at some point down the line we would appreciate it, but understand if you can't.

Best wishes for everyone involved in the restoration, and realize this kind of process cannot be rushed. Look forward to possibly seeing you at Oshkosh and maybe elsewhere in 2016.

It will be outstanding to have this beautiful F-86A on the air show circuit.

[quemerford]

Just a quick one to highlight the slat track: you may be correct regarding the hardware.

IIRC '178 has a mix of '178 leading edge and slats from 47-605 (or the other way round). Ben Hall recounted that they never could get the disparate parts to match.



You have a PM.

[Chris Brame]

Just a quick one to highlight the slat track: you may be correct regarding the hardware.

IIRC '178 has a mix of '178 leading edge and slats from 47-605 (or the other way round). Ben Hall recounted that they never could get the disparate parts to match.

Do you mean 47-606? 605 is on display at Lackland.
From 178's serial batch, 48-200 is supposed to be still around; would it be accessible?

F-86A-5-NA s/n 48-200
*USAF 4th FIG.
*1952: USAF 3595th PTG.
*8/12/1952: Written off at Nellis AFB, NV.
*Currently preserved in Clay, NY.

[quemerford]

Just a quick one to highlight the slat track: you may be correct regarding the hardware.

IIRC '178 has a mix of '178 leading edge and slats from 47-605 (or the other way round). Ben Hall recounted that they never could get the disparate parts to match.

Do you mean 47-606? 605 is on display at Lackland.
From 178's serial batch, 48-200 is supposed to be still around; would it be accessible?

F-86A-5-NA s/n 48-200
*USAF 4th FIG.
*1952: USAF 3595th PTG.
*8/12/1952: Written off at Nellis AFB, NV.
*Currently preserved in Clay, NY.

Probably was -606: it was an ex-CA ANG ground instructional airframe and certainly not the Lackland example. I'd need to look at the photos.

The Clay NY F-86A hasn't been seen for years, so I imagine was scrapped a good few years ago.

[Jfs111]

Airworthiness certificate issued 14 Sep 15! Time to fly!

Airworthiness certificate issued 14 Sep 15! Time to fly!

Thanks for the update! That is outstanding news and we look forward to hearing about the first flight and hopefully seeing some photos.

[henning]

Hooray! Great to hear that the certificate got issued! That's awesome news. Great to see you this
past weekend!

[sdennison]

https://www.facebook.com/12652488751875 ... 212373514/

Here you go. http://airshowstuff.com/v4/2015/worlds- ... to-flight/

[bdk]

Anyone have photos from when Ben Hall owned it?

[quemerford]

Anyone have photos from when Ben Hall owned it?

First scheme:




Second scheme:


Final scheme (note incorrect yellow bands: it arrived in the UK still with these, but later repainted correctly, in white):