Thread: How was your Thursday (WWII Aircraft inside)

How was your Thursday? I've been fortunate enough to be accepted to volunteer at the Palm Springs WWII Air Museum performing "routine" maintenance on all the museum's aircraft, and anything else needing attention like the displays etc. So, my morning started early on the ramp with the P40 Warhawk having undergone her maintenance, ready to run for the first time in four years. Inspections and air shows await her this season.

So, here is Miss Josephine this morning ready for her run up...



After some warmup runs, oil and coolant checks etc, she was ready for a power run. Take note of the rear wheel at the end of the power run. Tom pushed the throttle a little too far, I think Josephine is ready to fly!



After the power run we pulled Josephine back in the hangar and let her sit and cool. While she was cooling off I sanded and painted the troop seats on a deuce and a half that is being driven in the Veteran's day parade.

Once cooled and inspected it was time to put Josephine back together.



All those cowlings take some time, but they're all back on, Josephine's looking good, ready to fly, ready to head back to her hangar. What a way to spend a Thursday...



Best part, there's a lot more work to be done. Next up, including the ongoing work on the B-17, is the F4U Corsair's regular maintenance. Good times.

Sweet!!

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I had the pleasure of being around some warbirds (hands on) with an instructor friend of mine. He wasn't my flight instructor, but a great guy anyway, and he taught me a lot long after I had my ticket. Anyway, Corsairs, Mustangs, P40's , WWI moths, Storches (German). There is nothing like the sound of that V12 in that Mustang... Enjoy your time with those machines, it is truly a blessing to be around them...

Good memories!

Awesome! Congrats Gunny. You are just trying to make SR jealous!

Originally Posted by Army Bronco

Awesome! Congrats Gunny. You are just trying to make SR jealous!

I was texting him all day! Just laying the groundwork to get him on them when he comes to visit....

Originally Posted by rjent

I had the pleasure of being around some warbirds (hands on) with an instructor friend of mine. He wasn't my flight instructor, but a great guy anyway, and he taught me a lot long after I had my ticket. Anyway, Corsairs, Mustangs, P40's , WWI moths, Storches (German). There is nothing like the sound of that V12 in that Mustang... Enjoy your time with those machines, it is truly a blessing to be around them...

Good memories!

That Allison V12 sounded amazing, I can't wait to hear that Merlin running. These warbirds aren't just planes, they're works of art.

Originally Posted by Davii

That Allison V12 sounded amazing, I can't wait to hear that Merlin running. These warbirds aren't just planes, they're works of art.

I'm jealous.

Originally Posted by Davii

I was texting him all day! Just laying the groundwork to get him on them when he comes to visit....

I'm extremely jealous.

Originally Posted by SeeingRed

I'm extremely jealous.

They're old. They leak oil. There's no carbon fiber....

Originally Posted by Tned

They're old. They leak oil. There's no carbon fiber....

Need I remind you I spent my first six years in the Air Force working on 1950s technology?

Originally Posted by SeeingRed

I'm extremely jealous.

Nowhere near as jealous as Beef is going to be when he sees this.

Hey Davii, would they have a B25 there? My old man was a side gunner on a Mitchell in North Africa and Sicily. I've always wanted a picture from that portal for a bit of perspective.

Originally Posted by Buff

Nowhere near as jealous as Beef is going to be when he sees this.

Potentially. Beef has a hard on for B-1s and I've sent him some pretty bonerific pictures that surely made him jelly.

Originally Posted by SeeingRed

Potentially. Beef has a hard on for B-1s and I've sent him some pretty bonerific pictures that surely made him jelly.

I always thought they were cool, but when I went to the airplane museum in Denver (can't remember what it's called) and saw the B1 up close, I was amazed. So much bigger than I expected.

It's one thing I never get tired of -- going through plane museum's.

Originally Posted by SeeingRed

Need I remind you I spent my first six years in the Air Force working on 1950s technology?

Man, you're older than I thought...

Originally Posted by Softskull

Hey Davii, would they have a B25 there? My old man was a side gunner on a Mitchell in North Africa and Sicily. I've always wanted a picture from that portal for a bit of perspective.

As a matter of fact we do. Our B-25 Mitchell Bomber is licensed and flown regularly. It was a war flown plane from the 100th Bomber Group. They fly it every few months and use it every Memorial Day to drop carnations over the WWII Hangar. They fill the bomb bay, fly over the museum and let them go.

I'll be happy to get you such a picture when I get a chance. Or... if you find yourself in Southern California for some reason, let me know ahead of time, and I'll stick you in that turret so you can get the perspective firsthand.

I might be flying in the Mitchell next time she goes up. I'll try and get that pic then.

Do you have any pics, flight logs, etc from your Dad's flying days? I might be able to give you some insight into where he flew, etc... there's a ton of great people, information, and resources associated with the museum.