Restoring aircraft

Got a copy a few weeks ago via Amazon

I had wondered if a book about removing just some of the paint from a plane would be slightly dull, but it’s absolutely fascinating – forensic archeology at it’s best – The FAAM Restoration team should be known as CSI Yeovilton – Corsair Strippers & Investigators

Seriously in terms of Aircraft restoration, I put it in the pantheon with Black 6,Peter Vacher’s Hurri book and Robert Mikesh’s “Restoring Museum Aircraft”

Cheers Jeepman, will see if I can pick up a copy at the weekend – last year Peter Vachers book was flying off the shelves – was that really only a year ago?

TT

Fluffy,

I know….its a real shame…but as she was restored to ‘airworthy’ standards.. as required; there was perhaps a perception that the paper standard was sufficient..a physical demonstration was therefore not required… 😉

Who knows an engine run may have lead to more temptation…to prove she was airworthy…by flying her…. 😮

And that, of course, would never do…. :diablo:

However, its never too late to thank you for giving her a second flying life and allow us to see a genuine 109 fly…..

Fluffs,

you look very young in that photo!

[QUOTE=michelf]Fluffy,

I think the reason you were permitted to restore but not run was one based on the IWM’s and RAFM’s policy of having aircraft in the best possible (as is reasonable) condition and preserved/ conserved in that manner….hence the risk of running was deemed to be outside of those policies…(does it make sense? Not necessarily, but that’snot the point)

You are probably right however the contract stated the aircraft was to restored back to the condition it was in prior to the accident hence the reason we wanted to run her

Quote Ken812 – in respect of Black 6 the man to speak to is a Mr Russ Snadden – who occasionally drops into the forum – he was the motive power behind the restoration.

I agree without Russ Black6 would not have been restored, but without his team it would not have flown. I had the privillage of working for Russ on this project for 20yrs. Finally an updated book was published with colour pictures and extra chapters including the accident/rebuild and move to Hendon

Cheers Davyboy

Anyone picked up a copy of the Corsair ‘time capsule’ book yet? Any good?- not seen one meself, was going to have a look see at legends

TT

Got a copy a few weeks ago via Amazon

I had wondered if a book about removing just some of the paint from a plane would be slightly dull, but it’s absolutely fascinating – forensic archeology at it’s best – The FAAM Restoration team should be known as CSI Yeovilton – Corsair Strippers & Investigators

Seriously in terms of Aircraft restoration, I put it in the pantheon with Black 6,Peter Vacher’s Hurri book and Robert Mikesh’s “Restoring Museum Aircraft”

I am thinking in particular of a P51 from a number of years ago in the States where i seem to remember that the original had crashed and been totally destroyed .

Just the one? I can think of several…. You’d be surprised at some of the tricks to come up with *original* bills of sale etc from 50+ years ago to establish provenance, which obviously I’m not going to post on a public forum…;)

Can I ask what you believe the differences between a static rebuild and one to flying condition are apart from the obvious. Maybe using non standard materials that would not be used if the a/c was going to fly is one example

In the case of Spitfire I worked on: The engine is lacking a few minor bits such as the cams/valve gear, crank, rods, pistons etc & the prop has a fair bit of bondo in it….Control cables etc were made from stuff picked up at the local DIY place, as were “non-critical” & hidden nuts & bolts etc. It also has AN rivets instead of the stock magnesium ones, we had the mag rivets but decided not to use em, so there’s a 40lb crate of various sizes still sat on a shelf in my garage 14 years later….

Cheers Davyboy

Anyone picked up a copy of the Corsair ‘time capsule’ book yet? Any good?- not seen one meself, was going to have a look see at legends

TT

******, missed that one – where can I get a copy…….when was it released etc!

TT

Got one then TT ? Good !

But for others it was published by Patrick Stephen Ltd, circa 1993 at £17.99 RRP. ISNB 1-85260-425-5

Cheers…….

thanks y’all googled a 2nd hand copy for a tenner –

TT

thanks Jan – checked Midland Counties without any success but didnt think about amazon maybe give abe books a look see…

Yikes!

cant quite afford 80 quid for a copy – Will have to scour the second hand stalls at Leg Ends 🙁

TT

TT, there’s three copies available at www.amazon.com A bit on the expensive side, though, at $ 122.22!

Regards,

Jan

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1852604255/ref=sr_11_1/103-1194833-5128637?ie=UTF8

******, missed that one – where can I get a copy…….when was it released etc!

TT

Hopefully one day We’ll get a book about the rebuild (a/la FAA corsair time capsule rebuild)

That was a hint in case anyone missed it. 🙂

TT

What, just like this one Ben ? :diablo:

And signed by Russ too ! 😀

.

Ken812 – in respect of Black 6 the man to speak to is a Mr Russ Snadden – who occasionally drops into the forum – he was the motive power behind the restoration.

Hopefully one day We’ll get a book about the rebuild (a/la FAA corsair time capsule rebuild)

That was a hint in case anyone missed it. 🙂

TT

Ground running is all to do with risk . Aircraft have caught fire on the ground in the past and the museum’s prime requisite is to preserve for future generations and minimise the risks involved in doing that. So yes you do end up with a lifeless object but they counter that with the premise that it should last for a longtime,

Think it has to do with the airframe hours.A new aircraft would have virtually no metal fatigue in it where an original WW2 aircraft would have been pushed to the limits in certain times in it,s career.Is,nt there a similar situation with “Glacier Girl” as a lot of the exsisting structure survived in the rebuild.

Fluffy,

I think the reason you were permitted to restore but not run was one based on the IWM’s and RAFM’s policy of having aircraft in the best possible (as is reasonable) condition and preserved/ conserved in that manner….hence the risk of running was deemed to be outside of those policies…(does it make sense? Not necessarily, but that’snot the point)

Look also a Bob Ponds P-51…it was donated to the RAFM as a fully airworthy aircraft…it flew only days before it was crated for the UK…once assembled there was no reason for it not to be returned to the skies…other than policies and money…which are often the real drivers.

To me, luckily I saw Black 6 airborne often…and saw her demise, her grounding is more a temporary one….she is more ‘in store’ than permanently out of action….after all the RAF have another genuine complete 109 at Hendon……which as its own perhaps more appropriate ‘history’…Who knows what may happen in 10 years time?

Wasnt the decision influenced by the rareity of the aircraft in that it was a gen bf109 and they didnt want to risk losing a veteran airacraft with a known combat history?

can i ask what your opinions are on the ” restoration ” of aircraft where all that might be used is for instance part of a spar.The result is then claimed as a genuine example using the original i/d.I am thinking in particular of a P51 from a number of years ago in the States where i seem to remember that the original had crashed and been totally destroyed .

😀 Was it carried out by TFC?