Author Topic: Helping out at local air museum (Read 14067 times)

JR · « **on:** August 07, 2015, 03:45:47 PM »

Kinda a build thread so I thought I would through it in hear. Got a call last week from a Lt at the Sheriffs dept where I used to work. The Vacaville Airport has a Jimmy DoLittle Museum and they need a had with some fabrication.

Got out there today with kids in tow and I will be making a few towing hooks for a PT17 and a Lockheed Harpoon. The PT17 was a Jelly Belly show aircraft and still in flying condition, the Harpoon is not.

Should be lots of fun and I get to play around with my favorite ERA of planes! In fact my first plane ride was in a PT17 at the old Orange county airport about 45 years ago.

KensAuto · « **Reply #1 on:** August 07, 2015, 04:52:06 PM »

That's Cool.

Nate · « **Reply #2 on:** August 07, 2015, 07:11:49 PM »

volunteering is a joy

Flyin6 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 07, 2015, 07:27:52 PM »

My dad solo'd in a PT-17

Sammconn · « **Reply #4 on:** August 07, 2015, 08:29:47 PM »

Cool! Looking forward to the updates.

husker77c · « **Reply #5 on:** August 07, 2015, 09:01:26 PM »

I am also looking forward to updates. I have 2 hours towards my private pilot license. Which essentially means nothing other than I dig airplanes. 8)

BobbyB · « **Reply #6 on:** August 07, 2015, 10:11:25 PM »

Love the WW2 era aircraft, there's something visceral about the sound of a radial engine in a P47 or B17, or a P51 in full on war emergency mode just letting the noise flow..

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #7 on:** August 07, 2015, 10:35:48 PM »

I'm not an aviator but one listen to a Merlin V12 will make your blood pump.

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JR · « **Reply #8 on:** August 08, 2015, 01:47:19 AM »

Quote from: TexasRedNeck on August 07, 2015, 10:35:48 PM

I'm not an aviator but one listen to a Merlin V12 will make your blood pump.

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Yep, we have a local P-51 that buzzes around all the time. Did a little reading up on the Harpoon and it was quite a plane. Did a lot of damage to shipping and had five forward mounted 50's besides the bombs and rockets.

When I start the work I will open up another thread.

JR · « **Reply #9 on:** August 23, 2015, 12:17:45 AM »

Not sure why I would start another thread, this is another thread!

Got inside while I took some measurements and got a few good shots. Wasps were buzzing around so I had to be careful.

So here is a few of the Harpoon. It will not be restored to flying condition but I believe it could.

I managed to get inside as the belly gunners window was missing.

How would you like to be in that seat for 8 hours. Modern hydraulic landing gear pump,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,for the 40's ::)

JR · « **Reply #10 on:** August 23, 2015, 12:54:29 AM »

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Ventura

http://www.warbirdalley.com/pv2.htm

The above links covers it and variants. The Harpoon was redesigned from the Ventura and produced in 1943 and used by many countries.

Basics are;
Wingspan; 65' 6"
Engines; 2 x 2000hp Pratt-Whitney R2800 Radials
Crew; 6
Armarment; 6-10 .50 machine guns (2 forward-2 upper turret-2 belly) later had 4-5 more in the nose for shipping. 1 torpedo or 6 325lb bombs, 8 wing mounted rockets
Speed; 230 mph-322 mph
Range;1600 miles +

JR · « **Reply #11 on:** August 23, 2015, 01:06:34 AM »

Still waiting for a couple parts for this, so I started on the PT17 dolly.

Simple, just a piece of 1.25 sq tube about 8 feet long. Small bend in the middle to clear the rudder, a pin that goes into the tailwheel and handle. Al in all, about 1 hours work then cleanup and painting.

It is .095 wall, the handle is just a 1 in tube and the pin is a 3/4 bolt with the end tapered.

The Miller 212 and the Cutmaster 42 worked great! My PC 18v grinder made cleanup easy to with a flapper disc.

I think it needs a little gusset on the bend first.

Wilbur · « **Reply #12 on:** August 23, 2015, 02:20:10 AM »

very cool! Good for you.

JR · « **Reply #13 on:** August 23, 2015, 04:06:18 AM »

Just for comment, I am nuts about WWII aircraft. I live near the Nut Tree airport which is really small compared to most, but they host a few shows a year focusing on that era.

It is nothing to see a P-51, B-25 or B-24 land here. In fact yesterday I heard a familiar radial rumble and saw a Bearcat going by. It was doing at least 300 and didn't even seem like it was pushing it. We are on the way to Reno from the bay area. I need to get to the races again!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 23, 2015, 11:02:22 AM »

Quote from: JR on August 23, 2015, 04:06:18 AM

Just for comment, I am nuts about WWII aircraft. I live near the Nut Tree airport which is really small compared to most, but they host a few shows a year focusing on that era.

It is nothing to see a P-51, B-25 or B-24 land here. In fact yesterday I heard a familiar radial rumble and saw a Bearcat going by. It was doing at least 300 and didn't even seem like it was pushing it. We are on the way to Reno from the bay area. I need to get to the races again!

So much for the FAA rule, "Max speed below 10,000 is 250!"

cudakidd53 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 23, 2015, 11:05:27 AM »

Maybe they forgot to adjust their altimeter and still had it set on "sea level", thereby technically within the guidelines (as flown by a Clinton)

Flyin6 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 23, 2015, 11:13:49 AM »

Quote from: cudakidd53 on August 23, 2015, 11:05:27 AM

Maybe they forgot to adjust their altimeter and still had it set on "sea level", thereby technically within the guidelines (as flown by a Clinton)

Good point (NOT)

JR · « **Reply #17 on:** August 25, 2015, 01:35:46 PM »

One done, 1 to go.

JR · « **Reply #18 on:** August 25, 2015, 01:38:02 PM »

The first one was about as simple as it gets. The next one is almost 16ft long, uses a pintle and pin one the tail wheel and can be towed.

Basic frameup

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #19 on:** August 25, 2015, 09:33:40 PM »

Looking good JR!

Don, I thought about you the other day when I was on a regional Embraer 145. Don't ask me why. I cannot recall. I remember the flight was waaaay bumpy on the way up and there was a question I wanted to ask you about, but have since forgotten. It was bumpy enough that I at least checked to make sure the goody bag was in the seat pocket....

Flyin6 · « **Reply #20 on:** August 25, 2015, 09:52:48 PM »

Quote from: TexasRedNeck on August 25, 2015, 09:33:40 PM

Looking good JR!

Don, I thought about you the other day when I was on a regional Embraer 145. Don't ask me why. I cannot recall. I remember the flight was waaaay bumpy on the way up and there was a question I wanted to ask you about, but have since forgotten. It was bumpy enough that I at least checked to make sure the goody bag was in the seat pocket....

I don't like the ERJ's
Cheap Brizialian made jets
I flew the CRJ, Canadair Regional jet which is like a Mercedes by comparision

JR · « **Reply #21 on:** August 27, 2015, 02:06:31 AM »

Got the thing all welded up and capped the end. Pretty happy with the welds

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #22 on:** August 27, 2015, 05:45:05 AM »

JR, you use shielding gas on those?

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cudakidd53 · « **Reply #23 on:** August 27, 2015, 07:12:22 AM »

Nice welding there JR!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #24 on:** August 27, 2015, 08:51:50 AM »

RN, yea, I think that is mig

Those are definitely good welds!

JR · « **Reply #25 on:** August 27, 2015, 10:21:43 AM »

Miller 212, .023 shielded 75/25

thx

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #26 on:** August 27, 2015, 02:15:02 PM »

I thought they looked clean...

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JR · « **Reply #27 on:** August 28, 2015, 03:45:53 AM »

Got a little more done today. This thing is more work than I thought, but cool.

Made plates to mount the pintle;

JR · « **Reply #28 on:** August 28, 2015, 03:46:51 AM »

Bent to match the frame, tacked on and added a swivel wheel.

JR · « **Reply #29 on:** August 28, 2015, 03:50:58 AM »

Now I have to bore the 1.5 inch rod for a .750 SS rod to go through the tail wheel.

Had to rebuild the cross slide first though. Bushing hand fallen out and the whole thing was corroded from a water leak. Ended up using a slab of granite with 320 grit glued down as a hone surface. Came out OK but it needs a little paint still.

JR · « **Reply #30 on:** August 28, 2015, 03:54:33 AM »

Then I have to mount these wheels so the pin sits at around 10.5in (22in dia tail).

The tow bar can be pulled by hand, or the hooked up the swivel wheel is off the ground for towing. Hooked up to the plane for towing, all the wheels are "up" 8)

BobbyB · « **Reply #31 on:** August 28, 2015, 04:49:46 AM »

Productive time. Any other planes out there or just those 2?

KensAuto · « **Reply #32 on:** August 28, 2015, 10:25:08 AM »

Looks good!

I see you have one of those Rockwell sawhorse/vise things....you love it as much as I do mine? I think that's one of my favorite tools. Surprised Don doesn't have one. Maybe one of us should put that in the tool section.

JR · « **Reply #33 on:** August 28, 2015, 11:30:26 AM »

Quote from: BobbyB on August 28, 2015, 04:49:46 AM

Productive time. Any other planes out there or just those 2?

Well, they have the Harpoon and the PT-17 of course. A Huey (OD VN era), T-28 Trojan (polished), Stinson Gull Wing (WWII British colors) and a frame work of a Bi-Plane I would guess around 1910. Was just told they have a T-33 on the way.

JR · « **Reply #34 on:** August 28, 2015, 11:31:40 AM »

Quote from: KensAuto on August 28, 2015, 10:25:08 AM

Looks good!

I see you have one of those Rockwell sawhorse/vise things....you love it as much as I do mine? I think that's one of my favorite tools. Surprised Don doesn't have one. Maybe one of us should put that in the tool section.

Yep, those things are great for anything! Not cheap but worth the price. Yes Don should get one. I think that Lowes make their own version now too.

BobbyB · « **Reply #35 on:** August 28, 2015, 12:43:05 PM »

Quote from: JR on August 28, 2015, 11:30:26 AM

Well, they have the Harpoon and the PT-17 of course. A Huey (OD VN era), T-28 Trojan (polished), Stinson Gull Wing (WWII British colors) and a frame work of a Bi-Plane I would guess around 1910. Was just told they have a T-33 on the way.

Throw some pics up if you get a chance to take some, if you can.

JR · « **Reply #36 on:** August 28, 2015, 03:00:36 PM »

Quote from: BobbyB on August 28, 2015, 12:43:05 PM

Quote from: JR on August 28, 2015, 11:30:26 AM
Well, they have the Harpoon and the PT-17 of course. A Huey (OD VN era), T-28 Trojan (polished), Stinson Gull Wing (WWII British colors) and a frame work of a Bi-Plane I would guess around 1910. Was just told they have a T-33 on the way.

Throw some pics up if you get a chance to take some, if you can.

Will do but next week. Just came back from the Dr, had cordisone shots.

JR · « **Reply #37 on:** August 30, 2015, 02:05:57 PM »

Got the plates made for the pintle and put a plate over the area to reinforce.

JR · « **Reply #38 on:** August 30, 2015, 02:10:37 PM »

The I cleaned up and bored the 1.5 in rod to accept a .750 SS pin that will go through the tailwheel (.850) I bored it to 8.125.

The bushings are 3 inches long that will allow a welding surface all around and the will not be 90* either.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #39 on:** August 30, 2015, 06:56:09 PM »

Would love to have a lathe

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #40 on:** August 30, 2015, 09:07:03 PM »

me too. I wish I knew enough about them to find and old american made lathe from a shop that was going out of business. I want to build my own rifles

BobbyB · « **Reply #41 on:** August 31, 2015, 03:19:49 AM »

Quote from: TexasRedNeck on August 30, 2015, 09:07:03 PM

I want to build my own rifles

TRN Precision rifles.. made in Tejas?

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #42 on:** August 31, 2015, 06:48:48 AM »

Yup. Maybe a confederate flag next to a Texas flag for a logo stamped into the barrel....

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OldKooT · « **Reply #43 on:** August 31, 2015, 07:22:21 AM »

Looks like fun work JR....

TRN here ya go....https://www.grizzly.com/products/12-x-36-Gunsmith-s-Lathe-with-Stand/G4003G

cost of the machine isn't so bad....it's the tooling that gets you.

I myself am looking for a smaller machine to do 4x4 stuff and such at my shop I intend to build at home here. As I retire, I have less and less desire to run 20 miles to the shop every time I need the lathe/press/brake and such.

JR · « **Reply #44 on:** September 01, 2015, 02:52:20 AM »

You can find these all the time. made by Emco in Austria. This was 20 years old when I got it but the 6 crates of tooling was the clintch! Was still 3k and mine has the milling head.

Called a Maximat Super 11. Turns 11x27 with a 1.5 bore, 3 jaw, 4 jaw, face plate and power feeds. Will do all normal threads, metric and SAE.

This is just big enough for about 90% of what I want. The other 10% is doing rotors/drums. 11 inches just won't cut that.

Old Clausings or anything US or Taiwan made is good. I had an old 9 inch Jet that was great. Just turned 6 in but tought me so much, made in Taiwan. I had a gap bed 13x40 Jet, made in China. It worked OK, but you could tell it just didn't have that quality feel.

JR · « **Reply #45 on:** September 01, 2015, 02:55:25 AM »

So, got the tow bar done today. Was a late night doing little things and painting in the morning.

Modded the shelf for clearance to do the SS pin, was to long.

Then welded the spacers on.

JR · « **Reply #46 on:** September 01, 2015, 03:01:23 AM »

After welding all around I added the wheels using old spacers from a lift kit (20 years old at least!)

JR · « **Reply #47 on:** September 01, 2015, 03:04:33 AM »

Then cleaned it with MEK and a scotch pad, then primed with ething primer.

Set it up outside and painted it Rustolium Safety Yellow.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #48 on:** September 01, 2015, 09:42:46 AM »

Really nice work JR!

JR · « **Reply #49 on:** September 01, 2015, 10:12:10 AM »

It came out OK, thx. I wanted a few more bells and whistles, but time was not there.

So as the paint dried I made the pin. Welded a nut to the pin, drilled a .250 hole and formed this handle. Then drilled the other for a clip.

Author Topic: Helping out at local air museum (Read 14067 times)

OldKooT