Warbird Information Exchange

Sorry I have no pictures to offer but I did visit LSFM on Friday and got to witness them fire up thier AT-11 for the first time in many years. It is a great plane - turret, bombardier nose and bomb bay. Painted in Cuba air force colors it sure is pretty and it fired right up with a little assistance. My understanding is that all it needs now is an annual! Nice visit, everything was cleared out of the hangers for the Veterans day celebration so the ramp was a cool place to see it all.

Tom P.

I hear the weather is going to perfect for Tomorows fly at the Musuem as I am stuck raking leaves at my new place in Md. This is sad for me to hear about since it is the first time I have missed a fly day since I joined the museum almost 8 years ago. At least I was able to get back for the recent WOH airshow. If anyone out there is planning to attend please take some pics for us.

Glad to hear the AT11 is running agian- I didn't think they were ever gone fly that one again.

Steve S (former Ramp Boss - LSFM Air Show and Fly Day)

Tom, actually the hangars were emptied for the annual end of year fly day and Gala for the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame induction. It just happened to be on the same weekend as Veterans Day.

editied to add this from the Galveston Daily News:

Flight museum to have Fly Day on Sunday

From staff reports
The Daily News

Published November 10, 2006

GALVESTON — The Lone Star Flight Museum will have its end-of-the-season Fly Day on Sunday.

During the event, the latest class to be inducted into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame will be honored.

The informal flying event will feature historic aircraft from the museum’s collection and other aircraft from the area.

Gates open at 9 a.m., with flying from noon to 3 p.m.

The museum is at 2002 Terminal Drive.

Fly Day tickets are available at the gate. The cost is $8 for adults and $5 for children ages 5 through 12 and senior citizens. U.S. veterans will be admitted free.

For information, call 409-740-7722 or visit www.lonestarflight.org.

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If God had wanted man to fly behind a flat motor, Pratt Whitney would've built one.

Tom, How is the PB4Y coming along?

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

I posted these a while back:

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... +star+at11

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All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

Now that a few other Restoration projects are almost wrapped up I am pretty sure they are getting ready to ramp up the efforts in several areas. Of course the major systems are at the mercy of the common warbird enemy of $$$- as they said in the Right Stuff - "No bucks, no Buck Rogers". (anyone wishing to donate an engine or two- I am sure you would be welcome with open arms). Not a whole lot left to do on the outside, but a lot of internal stuff to go. Recently they rehung the old engines in order to keep her balanced properly and I have heard a rumor that several H&P engines ended up in Galveston after the big auction so that is hopefull. Of course there is still a wing spar AD to deal with and I understandt that is going to require a major effort, but it is being planned.

As always, nothing is going to happen without volunteers with this project, as well for many other areas of the musuem. (Gary - I am sure you can echo these sentiments about what you are doing with Lil)

I am constantly amazed at the number of folks on this board that talk about dreaming of an oppurtutniy to sit in the airplanes, much less go flying in them. Well your chances are out there, it is up to you to take the steps. After a short time as a volunteer at LSFM I found myself regularly flying to shows in the musuem aircraft ( after putting in some sweat equity OF COURSE) and eventually worked up to a postion as plane caption on the SBD, ramp boss for the annual air shows, and Crew Chief on T-Bird- and I had no prior airplane experience, just a love for the old birds and a willingness to do whatever had to be done. THE oppurtunity is there folks- take advantage of it- I did and am amazed at the really amazing things I have gotten to do over the years. We even have members that are living in other countrys and come out once or twice a year to help out with major events, such as this weekends Fly Day. With my recent move to Maryland I have realized just how truly amazing my time spent there over the last several years was. WHAT ARE YOU FOLKS WAITING FOR.

Sorry- didn't mean to get on a soapbox but I keep hearing about how this is a dying way of life- yet some of the same folks that are complaining simply want to show up at shows and not put any effort in to keep it going.

Back to the topic at hand- the PB4Y will fly- how soon depends on how many folks come out to support her.

Later
Steve S

Steve, give me a holler sometime. I would like to see if I can get our museum to help your museum with some trading of some parts and maybe more. This is technically not my area, so I hope I'm not stepping on anyone's toes here, but I'd like to at least see if we can work something out that would be benificial to both organizations.

Gary

The Privateer looked great! A long way to go still but it was neat to see. They also had someone working on the Bearcat - cowling off and of course radial spit up all over the floor - it was beautiful! I wonder if a buyer has been found?? After being there, I wish I had the funding to get a hold of the A-20

Tom P.

Steve is right about volunteering.
It isn't that hard and there are people who will help you get the skills you need once you join in. Once you're in, you are IN!
It can take awhile, but good work gets noticed and the rewards are fantastic.
I don't think I'll every be able to own a B-25, but I help save one and put it back together!
It's fun and rewarding and you get to play with aircraft you might never be able to touch in two lifetimes.
Go Do It!
Jerry

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

I think people's biggest "concern" is that since they're not FAA certified grease monkeys (no offense to the grease monkeys present), pilots, etc. they're not going to be useful to a warbird organization. Allow me to speak from experiece; most places can use your help no matter what you do. All you need is the desire to dedicate some time, and the work will fall in your lap. Heck, treat it like an extra day on the job. Just show up and do what you do for a living.

Most warbird shops are no different than anyplace else. Show up one day, let the guy in charge hand you a broom, then keep your mouth shut. A couple months down the line you'll be helping pull a jug off an engine and wondering how you got roped into doing so much "work" in your free time

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Phil K.
Yankee Air Museum
Systems Admin / Ramp Crew / Professional Photo Ruiner

Absolutely spot-on correct-a-mundo!

Let me tell you my story. I'm not a pilot. I'm not an A&P mechanic. I'm just a regular guy who happens to be an avid lifelong warbird enthusiast. I am technically inclined (27 years with Raytheon Company as an Electronic Technician and 29 years as a ham radio operator) and I'm good with my hands and good with tools (I restore and show classic Mustangs and Corvettes as a hobby). When I joined VFM, I had no idea what I'd end up doing. I just showed up at the hangar one Saturday and asked, "How can I help out around here?" Someone handed me a broom and I started out sweeping the floor! ...time passes... Now that the Museum folks have gotten to know me and what I'm capable of, I've become a part of the VFM family. I work as a tour guide in the Museum. I work as a tour guide when we have the B-17 on display at air shows. I've "turned wrenches" on the B-17 several times. Two Sundays ago, I was helping the guys troubleshoot a problem with one of the B-17's nav radios. I've been put in charge of procuring WW2 radios and other equipment for the upcoming restoration of the B-17's radio compartment, and I'll be working on that team when the job starts. And I still sweep floors and empty the garbage if that's what needs to be done! It's unbearably hot in that hangar in the summer. It's cold in that hangar in the winter. Everything you touch is dirty, oily, or both. The air smells like old grimy airplane parts. No matter what they have me doing, no matter what time of year it is, the work is important, and I love every minute of it!

My point is this: It doesn't matter who you are or what your qualifications and talents are. Get in your car, drive over to your local aviation museum, join up, and help them out in any way you can! Trust me, folks; they will welcome your participation, and they will find something for you to do... and you will love the experience... even if you're just flying a broom around the hangar! If you enjoy seeing vintage warbirds being displayed, whether they're flyers or not, then you owe it to yourself and the aircraft and the history they represent to do whatever you can to keep it going.

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Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida

Very well said!

Gary