April 10, 2012 at 8:38 am
Hey everyone,
The Malta Aviation Museum is currently restoring a Cessna Bird Dog which saw service with the Italian Air Force and the Armed Forces of Malta, Air Squadron
The Armed Forces of Malta acquired five L-19E from the United States Goverment for a nominal sum. The surplus Italian Army Aviation aircraft were flown from Viterbo, Italy to Malta in January 1992. In Air Squadron service, the type was used for pilot training, observation, coastal patrol, photography and target towing. The Bird Dog was a beauty in the air but a beast on the ground – the ground loop being it’s Achilles heel. 9H-ACB was involved in on such ground loop on 5 May 1992. Deemed not worth repairing, it was set aside in a hangar at Luqa where it lingered for eight years. The Bird Dogs were replaced by four ex-Royal Air Force BAe Bulldogs in March 2000 (registered: AS0020 – AS0023) followed by a fifth unit in 2001 (reg. AS0124). The four other AFM Birddogs were sold to an American buyer eight months later.
Charlie Bravo (c/n 305M-0029 ex-Italian Army MM61-2972/EI-34) on permanent loan at the Malta Aviation Museum from the AFM Air Squadron, wears the original Italian (adopted also by the Maltese) colour scheme.
Efforts is being made by the museum to return the Cessna to the air.
But we are missing some parts:
x2 circuit breakers d6752-1-5
x1 circuit breaker d6752-1-15
x1 switch an3022-2
x1 switch ms25103-21
x2 relays 6041h144
Does any one know where we can find the following parts?
She’s only 6 months away from taking to the air
By: J Boyle - 10th April 2012 at 22:39
Still try the IBDA and have your cheque book ready. 🙂
By: Mike J - 10th April 2012 at 20:42
……..whether it’s for an airworthy aircraft…….
I imagine some may have spare/unserviceable parts that would be fine for a static.
…..Efforts is being made by the museum to return the Cessna to the air……
……She’s only 6 months away from taking to the air……..
.
By: J Boyle - 10th April 2012 at 19:49
Ask the members of the International Bird Dog Association.
http://www.ibdaweb.com/
Let them know what you need and whether it’s for an airworthy aircraft.
I imagine some may have spare/unserviceable parts that would be fine for a static.
If they know it’s for a museum, I’m sure they’d be willing to help or point you in the right direction.
By: Fieldhawk - 10th April 2012 at 17:42
Maltagunner – Please PM me. Can give you some help here.
By: Firebex - 10th April 2012 at 17:10
Is there not a guy in Italy restoring a bird dog to the air who also has a spare airframe and a lot of bits.
I seem to recall David P mentioning him last year I assume you have tried him ?.
Also there is at least one company in the states who advertise parts for them.
Mike E
By: Fouga23 - 10th April 2012 at 12:20
Ask around on WIX 🙂
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=3