Post on 24-Feb-2016
description
HISTORIC AIRCRAFT RESTORATION
Patrick LawrenceAP English Literature and
CompositionKathy Saunders
Why Did I Choose This Topic? Future career choice Passion for military aviation Airshows
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_F-82_Twin_Mustang
History No set date Most likely originated after WWII
Returning service members Boneyards
1970’s = Restoration movement begins 1990’s = Lack of usable airframes 2000’s = Resurgence
Introduction to Aircraft Restoration
More than just disassembling, polishing, and reassembling the aircraft. Salvage what you can from the aircraft Make molds of destroyed parts and recast them Exact measurements, no more or no less. Has to be
exact. Correct riveting
http://airwingmedia.com/news/2013/north-american-xp-82-twin-mustang-restoration/
Discoveries Great deal of dedication
Money Time
Original or replica? Original airframe= original restoration or if 50% or
more of the parts are original Where do you find aircraft that need restoration
Private collections Museum Overstock Most are in lakes, oceans, or buried
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2170817/German-seaplane-recovered-depths-fjord-70-years-sank-raising-hopes-fly-again.html
http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/cosford/things-to-see-and-do/dornier-17-conservation.aspx
Money How do you pay for a restoration?
Investors Rarely out of pocket
Mentor Tom Reilly Restoring for 42 years. Restored 36 aircraft back to flying condition Not a single one of his aircraft have been in an
accident. (knock on wood)
What I Learned
Crash course in aircraft restoration techniques rules no no’s in aircraft restoration
No No’s DO NOT shape or bend a piece of
aluminum along the grain. Go against the grain.
Chip or knick in major part= scrap Can break off from stress while in the air
This equals DISASTER
+
What I learned Continued I learned how to
shoot and press rivets read a micrometer make dimples for the rivets and screws
Mentor Hours I spent 16 hours with Mr. Reilly We spent most of the day riveting pieces
to the aircraft.
Obstacles Traveling Scheduling Get the hands on experience I needed Nerves
Interesting Facts Mr. Reilly is 72 Retirement is not in the near future for
him Future projects Restored 11 out of the 33 airworthy B-25
bombers XP-82 has taken five years to restore Two more years or more needed
Future Projects P-51D
Possibly two B-17’s
Q & A Thank you for your time. Are there any
questions?