Warbird Information Exchange

I got this in my E-mail today.

" Hi friends!

We had a request for an update so the Museum has this to say about the P 61 Black Widow project:

The Mid Atlantic Air Museum's P-61 restoration project continues to move along despite delays in the machining of the 8 new wing spar caps. Due to a heavy production schedule at the machine shop only the first 2 spar caps (right rear upper and lower) have been received back at the Museum. An intense amount of computer programming was required in order to begin the machining which has taken the most time. The two opposite ( left rear upper and lower) will be run next and will go much quicker because the programming must just be reversed - a relatively simple task as compared to the initial computer programming.

Meanwhile, the rear spar webs - both left and right have been made and jigged up for assembly. The newly formed wing ribs are back from the heat treat facility and are in the process of getting various brackets attached and mounting holes drilled. Not until the rear spars are reinstalled and secured can the front spars be removed for machining. It should be noted that we are making parts for the left wing at the same time as we make parts for the right wing so its rebuild will go much quicker.

Also, all sheetmetal for reskinning the wings is in house. The Museum is in possession of two correct p/n Curtiss Electric propellers for the aircraft. Wiring of the P-61 is still in progress.

Thanks all! "

I'm so amazed that they have been able to secure correct propellers. Where on earth......

Any bets on a first flight date?

Andy

Thanks for the info. I can't wait to see it finished.





Years

with an influx of money, 2020

normal pace, 2025

Thanks a bunch for sharing the update Andy! The news about props is excellent to read.

Regardless of when it flies, it'll be an emotional moment for sure.

_________________
Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG".
https://linktr.ee/zacyates

"It's his plane, he spent the money to restore it, he can do with it what he wants. I will never understand what's hard to comprehend about this." - kalamazookid, 20/08/2013
"The more time you spend around warbirds the sooner you learn nothing, is simple." - JohnB, 24/02/22