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Post by kiwi285 on Oct 27, 2017 14:59:40 GMT 12
Today we built up the steel jig and put the damaged tail plane half into it with no hitches. After jacking up the spar to its correct height we started applying some heat starting from the outer end and working our way inboard. We heated a section and clamped it and them put in some rivets then started on the opposite side. We haven't finished it yet but it seems to be having the desired effect and the top and bottom spars are looking much straighter. This job should be finished next week and we will see the results on our handiwork. Not sure that we will get it 100% straight but it will be in much better shape than it was when we started. 271017 (4) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr 271017 (2) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr 271017 (1) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr
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Post by kiwi285 on Oct 28, 2017 14:18:34 GMT 12
From Classic Flyers mamangemnt
Hi Everyone -
Our second Grumman Avenger restoration (NZ 25839) is well underway and looking good.
We have always been lucky enough to borrow at times (and also return any favours) "use of" some of the local engineering gear on the field.
With this in mind and with our restoration "tempo" generally increasing - we are appealing to the community for any assistance that can be offered with acquiring more engineering equipment to have in house.
Specifically at the moment we are trying to find: a 1200mm sheet metal folder a 1200mm sheet metal guillotine
Also any other general engineering items such as bench vices and drill presses or suchlike that may be surplus to requirements.
We certainly do like the "old gear" that looks the part too...
If there is anyone that has items like these tucked away in the back of a garage or workshop that are no longer used, or being upgraded and that they would be happy to gift or trade for something we can offer, or sell at a reasonable price to Classic Flyers - we would like to know.
If you are able to help with any of these items could you please contact Garry or Sandra ph 5724000 or email enquire@classicflyersnz.com ________________________________________
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Post by kiwi285 on Nov 3, 2017 14:42:40 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 3, 2017 15:23:49 GMT 12
Great stuff!!
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Post by ZacYates on Nov 3, 2017 15:52:27 GMT 12
Just stunning visual progress Mike, fantastic!
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Post by kiwi285 on Nov 5, 2017 14:49:07 GMT 12
Thanks Zac - I think we have made some great progress and in the background we are making enquiries and planning how to deal with other areas that look grotty at the moment. Members of the team are sorting out what parts of the program they want to take responsibility for. The team has increased in size and all members are keen to see progress made. I am away for two weeks now so will be interested to see what progress has been made when I get back. I really look forward to my days at the workshop.
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kiwiwreckdiver
Squadron Leader
Still military and aviation history mad
Posts: 116
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Post by kiwiwreckdiver on Nov 21, 2017 15:18:52 GMT 12
OH WOW !!!!!!!!!!! I haven't been on the page for a while but IM so happy this has finally come in from the cold I sat in her when I was 16 up at Riverhead and only dreamed on taking her away. Does Ken Jacobs still own her ?? I tracked him down years ago and he didn't want to hear about it. I cant believe the huge amount of work the team has done in such a short amount of time You truly do have a brilliant and committed team down there Well done to all involved
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Post by kiwi285 on Nov 22, 2017 16:29:35 GMT 12
Will update the page on Friday with some photos of the progress being made on the wing centre section. Meanwhile here are a couple of photos of some of the restoration crew doing what they do best - having a cuppa and telling fibs. The crew 221117 (2) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr The crew 221117 (1) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr
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Post by kiwi285 on Nov 24, 2017 15:59:44 GMT 12
Here are a few photos from this week. We are making great progress on the wing centre sections and the port one upper surface is nearly complete and they are starting work on the lower surface. We spent the week erecting a shelving unit so that we could find out bench top again so not a lot of physical progress to show. Next week we resume the straightening of the main tail plane spar. When was the last time you saw two Avengers in a hangar together. Both of them are in hangar 3 for a while now as the jest have progressed into the main display hangar for a while. Round engine vintage aircraft are much more interesting anyway. 241117 (3) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr 241117 (4) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr 241117 (5) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr 241117 (6) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr
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Post by kiwi285 on Nov 24, 2017 16:01:23 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 24, 2017 16:13:20 GMT 12
Last time I saw two Avengers in the hangar together was 1993 when Sir Tim's "Plonky" ZK-TBM was being repainted by us, about 20 metres away from the Gisborne Avenger that was also "Plonky" back then, at Wigram.
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Post by baz62 on Nov 24, 2017 16:26:46 GMT 12
Last time I saw two Avengers in the hangar together was 1993 when Sir Tim's "Plonky" ZK-TBM was being repainted by us, about 20 metres away from the Gisborne Avenger that was also "Plonky" back then, at Wigram. For me it was mid 80s when NZ2505 shared 7 Hangar with the museum collection including her sister NZ2504. So when you were there, there were three Avengers at Wigram, 04, 05 and ZK-TBM. Pity noone thought to roll all three out on the flight line for a photo.
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Post by baz62 on Nov 24, 2017 16:28:51 GMT 12
How come the prop is off '05?
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Post by kiwi285 on Nov 25, 2017 6:08:02 GMT 12
Last time we ran it there was an engine problem. There is talk of taking the front case off the engine to have a look.
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Post by agalbraith on Nov 25, 2017 6:26:47 GMT 12
Well done guys! Such an interesting thread and great progress
Appreciate you taking the time to keep us up to date on her, I enjoy every post
Cheers Anthony
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Post by baz62 on Nov 25, 2017 15:44:08 GMT 12
Last time we ran it there was an engine problem. That's a shame, lets hope its nothing major.
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Post by kiwi285 on Nov 29, 2017 14:11:24 GMT 12
Here are a couple of photos from today. The new cockpit floor is now going in permanently so the boys will have something to stand on when working in the cockpit. Dave has put a new section of skin on the starboard centre section leading edge so the upper surface is nearing completion. We had another go at straightening the spar in tail plane and drilled out all of the rivets in the top and bottom spar caps of the inboard section. With the use of a car jack and some heat we have managed to get the spar as straight as we will ever get it. So now we can start doing some rebuilding come Friday. 291117 (6) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr 291117 (7) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr 291117 (8) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr 291117 (4) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr 291117 (12) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr 291117 (13) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr 291117 (11) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr
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Post by ZacYates on Nov 30, 2017 15:55:49 GMT 12
Amazing. These guys are restoration machines - in August I was stood looking at a hulk!
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Post by kiwi285 on Dec 1, 2017 14:50:04 GMT 12
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Post by kiwi285 on Dec 8, 2017 15:40:14 GMT 12
Des and I are starting to move forward with the tail plane rebuild after a stack of housekeeping needed to be cleared away. We have strengthened up the ribs and lined them all up again so we are getting ready to cutting skins and starting to lock up the inboard end. Not quite the way Mr Grumman built it in period but it works for us as we have no facilities or the skill to make new ribs. Each volunteer either on his own or in concert with another picks a job that we want to tackle and after seeking advice form more senior members gets stuck in. This is how we always seem to the moving forward on several fronts at the same time and not tripping over each other. 081217 (3) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr 081217 (4) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr 081217 (5) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr 081217 (6) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr 081217 (7) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr
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