Some Major Items Discovered To Be In Need Of Repair

The CAF Redtail Squadron got some bad news when its P-51C Mustang Tuskegee Airmen went in for some routine maintenance. The squadron reports on its blog that the airplane is in need of some major work that will ground the airplane until is it repaired.

According to the blog, the  radiator, one of the legs of the landing gear, a piston ring and damage to the aileron cables are all on the docket for repair, along with the Mustang’s regularly-schedule maintenance. Although none of these needs indicate a life-threatening problem to the aircraft, they certainly are very expensive and need to be attended to before it can be flown again.

Tye Halvas and the team at AirCorps Aviation are giving us the inside scoop on the maintenance and repair, and we are going to keep you updated with regular posts and pictures to follow along with the process. Keep your eyes on this blog for updates!

Current work in progress:

Engine – The banks and pistons are at Roush Aviation and will be done the first week of February. Right now they are in the disassembly and inspection process.

Landing gear – The pivot shafts are getting magnafluxed and cadmium plated. They are expected back January 13th. At that point that landing gear will be reassembled, serviced with fluid and nitrogen and installed in the aircraft.

Horizontal stabilizer – The patch has been completed and the paint process is done though primer. As soon as the landing gear is in and the aircraft is back on the ground it will be painted red.

Radiator – The radiator has been cleaned and inspected. Repairs have been made to the solder and the core is currently being tested.

The squadron said it will continue to post updates on the progress of the repairs as they are made.

(Image provided by the CAF. Mechanic Brian Bottolene works to hoist the right bank off of the engine)

FMI: www.redtail.org