Several Major Components Nearly Ready For Installation

Tom Reilly's XP-82 Twin Mustang restoration project reached several milestones over the past month, and the aircraft restoration expert says that the project is "nearing completion."

On his blog on which he provides updates, Reilly wrote at the first of the month that in the past month, the outboard fairings from each leading edge to trailing edge of the fuselage-to-wing have been completed. The final seam welding of the two outboard forward fairings was completed as June came to an end.  The last two parts to complete are the two lower halves of the inboard side of each fuselage-to-center-section fairing.

The team is close to finishing work on the left side top engine cowling, which should be completed this month; the lower chin cowl to air induction trunk adapters, which join the chin cowls to the air induction trunks as well as the adapter covers to rubber seal these two removable joints. The only remaining thing to do is to install the rubber for the seals, which are on order; the electrical system, which Reilly says should be finished this month, and; exhaust stack fairings, which are being fabricated through 3D printing.

Additionally, Reilly says the Garmin avionics package has been delivered, and should be installed this month.

To date, there have been over 173,000 man- and woman-hours devoted to restoring the aircraft.

Reilly said on the blog that with fewer major milestones to report, his updates will become less , but there are lots of photos on his latest post.

(Image from file)

FMI: xp-82twinmustangproject.blogspot.com