Fri, Mar 18, 2016
CAF Working To The D-Day C-47 Aircraft To Airworthy Condition
The restoration of That's All, Brother which began in earnest back in November at Basler Turbo Conversions in Oshkosh, WI, is coming along, according to the CAF website dedicated to the effort.
The first portion of work is what is being called the "heavy engineering phase", and will last until Fall 2016 (at least). This will address the major mechanical and structural issues, and will result in an airplane that is flyable and ready to enter the "completion phase" which will shift the focus to creating an authentic interior and exterior.
The most time-consuming and expensive task during the first phase is dealing with airframe corrosion. An estimated 3,000 hours of labor is required on this item alone.
"We're actively seeking parts that will help us in the completion phase of the restoration. The goal is to represent That's All, Brother's wartime appearance and equipment as accurately as possible. Basler Turbo Conversions, who have been accumulating C-47 parts for decades, kindly opened the doors to their stores. Also, some of the Kickstarter funds were used to purchase a fully populated C-47 instrument panel, and a large collection of parts removed from the long-term C-47 project "Round Trip" (the airplane's new owners decided to move in a different direction). And we would like to thank the EAA Museum in Oshkosh for donating a rare Rebecca receiver in mint condition," the restorers wrote on the website.
The restorers said that they are currently looking for an SCR-717 Radar, a radome to house the SCR-717, and exhaust stack flame arresters.
The group has set a goal of taking the airplane, which was the first to cross over into Normandy on D-Day, back to Normandy for the 75th anniversary of the invasion in 2019.
(Image provided by the CAF)
More News
Instrument Runway A runway equipped with electronic and visual navigation aids for which a precision or nonprecision approach procedure having straight-in landing minimums has been>[...]
Aero Linx: Alaska Airmen's Association The Alaska Airmen's Association includes over 2,000 members—we are one of the largest General Aviation communities in the country. We s>[...]
Also: Flt School Security, G600 Steep-Approach, Honduran Aid, PW545D Cert Two aircraft performing at the Fort Lauderdale Air Show clipped wings during a routine last Sunday, spooki>[...]
Also: SkyReach Parts Support, Piper Service Ctr, Airliner Near-Miss, Airshow London The Judge overseeing Icon's convoluted Chapter 11 process has approved $9 million in Chapter 11 >[...]
Also: Paramotor Champ's, Electric Ultralight, ICON BK Update, Burt Rutan at Oshkosh! The Popular Rotorcraft Association is reaching out for help in rebuilding their private runway >[...]