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Purchased this sleeping girl Sept 21, 2021. Been hanging out in a hanger in northern Wisconsin collecting dust since about 1970. Now undergoing a full restoration in my shop in central Illinois.
Fuselage # 2454.
Fuselage # 2454.
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Welcome, Brent?!
Some photos would be great..sounds like a classic "barn find"? -
That SN is right in a series that disappeared in WW-II. I have SN 2488, 2461 and 2466 in the database and they are 40 and 41 planes. Really like to see any other info you have on your plane. A lot of things got really crazy on the production line because of the war and moving production to support the war. Any planes that weren't sold before the war started are really hard to track down, but all seem to have REALLY interesting histories!
HankComment
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Just found my file on your plane and I have a set of bad seat cushions that look just like yours (just really beat up). I am betting if they aren't original they are really good replicas. Wait till you try to get the wing root bands on and straight! A ROYAL PITA! We need to get together and I can go over how I finally figured out how to do it in one piece and come out straight with no misalignment.
HankComment
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I look forward to learning and sharing what ever I can. The story behind every restoration is almost as fun to discover as the physical work!
You may have answered a question that I discovered when reviewing log book history. The A/F logs are complete starting in 1958 where a notarized statement says original was lost. It references the same engine serial that is with it now. The engine log books appear to be complete back to factory test date. That's where it gets more interesting. Original first run test was recorded on 9-25-46. By serial data this plane is supposed to be 1940. Could this airframe have sat on the side in the factory until 1946?
I will try to put together a summary of more significant events from the logs.
Very interesting note is that I think the grade A cotton I took off is the original cover. I don't see how that could be but not finding where it was fully recovered unless it was before 1958. I'm fully aware from my Dad's stories that things got done to these old birds without any record being made
I have an extensive picture collection for this project. Although not any of it fully assembled. We were already loading up when we thought of that.Brent N27662 SN2304 BC65Comment
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Photos of the plane "in work" are almost ALWAYS much more interesting! That's where someone seems to always find the little detail they are missing. When WW-II broke out MANY pre war planes were bought up by the government for the war effort. Most were used for training and liaison work. Early on if a plane had a Franklin engine it was changed for a Lyc if the plane was staying in the US and got a Continental if it was going over seas to simplify logistics support. My pre war was built with a Franklin and got a Lycoming when she went to a coastal patrol unit, then switched to a Continental when the Lyc had problems. None of the changes or maintenance on her was recorded in the logs and she came out of the war with no war records included. The USCG station in Elisabeth City NC is supposed to have copies of all of the patrol planes from WW-II that were removed when they went back to civilians. I am hoping they have my maintenance records and any action reports. Would be a FANTASTIC addition to my planes documentation!
Hank
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I ordered a CD from FAA to see what is on file. Also big picture upload.Brent N27662 SN2304 BC65Comment
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Looks like someone was going to try the stick control. Whoever made them up didn't bend enough angle, they need to be more than 90°. They probably thought they should come through the panel instead of below it.Comment
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Do you have ANY idea how long it is going to take me to clean the drool out of my keyboard! Now THIS is how to document taking a plane apart! I guarantee you will STILL find things you didn't get a shot of, but those should be minor. I am going to be overloaded with detail pictures tomorrow. PLANE PORN!! I LOVE it!
HankComment
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I was puzzling that when I saw another picture with something that looked so similar that I'll have compare. They are in perfect condition. More research required!Originally posted by 3Dreaming View Post
BrentBrent N27662 SN2304 BC65Comment
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Someplace we have drawings for the sticks. I built a set, and even flew with it installed. They were pretty much worthless. It is no wonder there are only pictures.Originally posted by [email protected] View PostComment
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Another picture upload. To current. I have many more details of all clusters but will spare you those. Til next round.
BrentBrent N27662 SN2304 BC65Comment
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