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

Product Video XP-82 model

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?