A place where restoration project-type threads can go to avoid falling off the main page in the WIX hangar. Feel free to start threads on Restoration projects and/or warbird maintenance here. Named in memoriam for Gary Austin, a good friend of the site and known as RetroAviation here. He will be sorely missed.
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Wed Dec 27, 2006 5:45 pm

retroaviation wrote:That is a great idea, Scott! We have sort of tossed that around within our Squadron, but have had no takers. In all fairness though, they did pitch in and buy the 250 and 500 pound replica bombs from Bombs Away, LLC. for FIFI.

Our first .50 cal should be here this week. It would look nice with a donor's name on the side of it, huh? ;-)

Gary


Gary ...

You can put the "CAF First Observation Detachment" name on the side of that first machine gun, in Diamond Lil's tail. In an earlier post you mentioned the cost was between $600 and $700 ... post the actual amount (maybe some more sponsors will step up for the other guns) and we'll have a check in the mail.

Paul

Wed Dec 27, 2006 6:27 pm

paulk wrote:
retroaviation wrote:That is a great idea, Scott! We have sort of tossed that around within our Squadron, but have had no takers. In all fairness though, they did pitch in and buy the 250 and 500 pound replica bombs from Bombs Away, LLC. for FIFI.

Our first .50 cal should be here this week. It would look nice with a donor's name on the side of it, huh? ;-)

Gary


Gary ...

You can put the "CAF First Observation Detachment" name on the side of that first machine gun, in Diamond Lil's tail. In an earlier post you mentioned the cost was between $600 and $700 ... post the actual amount (maybe some more sponsors will step up for the other guns) and we'll have a check in the mail.

Paul


Yes let us know the goal amount and possibly we could have WIX sponsor a gun!

Gary please say it isnt so...!

Wed Dec 27, 2006 7:19 pm

Gary that didnt happen to be a Spinner from a lancaster that you cut up was it? :x

Wed Dec 27, 2006 7:30 pm

I was thinking the spinner may be from a twin Merlin-powered, German designed but Spanish built machine? Or perhaps a North Star?

cheers

greg v.

Wed Dec 27, 2006 8:44 pm

Hey, just to fill you guys and gals in about the pogo's...Their location is set for the very worst case loading of the aircraft, ie zero fuel/near zero fuel and max cargo/ moving cargo. The B-24 is not alone in having to use one. Various commercial and regional commuter jets and turboprops have to have them installed during certain ground operations. It tends to kinda freak out passengers to feel the nose lift and the pogo hit the ground during loading ops.

Even the Falcon 20 cargo jets that I used to work on had to have a pogo installed when we were installing the cargo door and had the radio rack out of the aircraft because it was possible to get the CG just far enough aft of the main gear axles to put them on the pogo. With everything just right, one guy on the backbone could move fore and aft and keep the nose gear in the air.

Thu Dec 28, 2006 1:14 am

Gary, I'd be interested in contact information/prices/etc. of your replica 50 caliber MG's. Thanks.

Thu Dec 28, 2006 3:48 am

Gary,

Next time you want to cut up a very rare Mosquito Spinner, please ask first, and I can find you something slightly less useful!

Peter was close - the Lanc spinner, and the Mossie spinner are very similar.

Put the remnants on one side for me would you?

:)


Bruce

Thu Dec 28, 2006 9:11 am

Dan K wrote:Gary, I'd be interested in contact information/prices/etc. of your replica 50 caliber MG's. Thanks.


Make that two...Gary!

Thu Dec 28, 2006 9:59 am

Okay guys..........CALM DOWN!!!!!!

I did NOT cut up a Mosquito or Lancaster spinner! Geez louise! Any of the Mossie parts I have found around here have found their way to a happy owner who is restoring one back to airworthy condition.

After all I have shown folks on this site as to how hard I work to save these airplanes (I have somebody else's PBY in my back yard for cryin' out loud), you would think that I'm not going to just arbitrarily cut up something that I thought could be used on another aircraft.

I reckon this is the down side to these updates that I take time out of my day to post.

I do, however, appreciate everyone else that is stepping up to help with the machine gun purchases. I will get the exact price of each unit and post it soon. I just hope I don't get raked over the coals for doing that as well.

Gary

Thu Dec 28, 2006 10:06 am

Gary,

It wasnt a criticism - its your stuff, so do what you like with it anyway!

I do however know the Mozzie very well, and am 99% sure thats what it was.

As I say, save me the leftovers will you? :)

Bruce

Thu Dec 28, 2006 10:36 am

Bruce, I can assure you that is was not off of a Mossie. I'd devuldge to everyone what it indeed came off of, but I don't care to get anyone wound around the axle about that either. We have at least two more of the same spinners that I could point you to right now. This one was in horrible condition and I felt that rather than continuing to sit in a location where it would likely never be of any use on an airplane, I thought that it could actually help get another airplane that has flown regularly since WWII (over 16,300 hours on it now) back in the air.

If I come across any Mossie parts, I will contact the fellow who purchased the others from us first, but if he passes on them, I will certainly give you a shout.

Sorry for the rant, it's just been one of those days.

Gary

Thu Dec 28, 2006 10:49 am

Well, in that case, please accept my apologies - it is EXTREMELY similar to a Mossie one, so if you have others that arent doing anything, I would be happy to come to an arrangement, as we need a couple for the prototype Mossie. It may be that the two types had identical spinner units.

Bruce

Thu Dec 28, 2006 10:54 am

Bruce,

PM me with the exact size and dimensions of the spinners you need. I personally took the data plates off of the spinner I used and they are definitely not Mossie...prototype or otherwise. However, I will be happy to check the remaining ones to see if they might work for you. The other thing is that I have to get CAF General Staff approval before removing any of the parts where those remaining spinners are located.

Now, I've got to get back to work,
Gary

Thu Dec 28, 2006 11:32 am

Scott:
I like the idea of a WIX gun, count me in!

I don't post all that often but this is great way for us, the sideline boys, to get involved and help out.

B-24

Thu Dec 28, 2006 11:33 am

Gary,

Whatever you do, do not let the latest comments about the spinner deter your posts. Keep em coming! I know I speak for a lot of folks when I say how much these posts are appreciated.

As an aside, may I suggest that you have someone at HQ be sure to contact all that are coming out for winter staff (if that is possible) and let them know that help is needed. I know that I and one other of our staff members plan to stay an extra day or two to help. You might get more volunteers during that time than you could use but what the heck.

Keep up the great work! I look forward to buying you a cold one in February.

Mike Hogan
Squadron Leader
National Capitol Squadron
Culpeper, VA
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