jsfBoat

Last Friday was my first day on the restoration of a former fire tanker, a TBM Avenger. Was built a few minutes from my home, shipped out to California for the USMC to participate in the invasion of Japan, but the war ended before it was to leave. The organization recently got serious about restoring it to airworthy condition a few months back.
I went out to the restoration site, helped put on the bomb bay doors, pull the instruments out for refurbishing, and going into various tight spots since I was the youngest, slim, and more agile of the group. The wealth of the knowledge and the quality of their craftsmanship is beyond words. I hope to learn all I can from these guys. They're also restoring a "Bamboo Bomber" which was a Cessna multi-engine trainer built out of wood and fabric for the war. They had to build the wing out of scratch, and just amazing work. Enjoy the photos.


The Turky and Bamboo Bomber both out in the Sunlight.


Me standing on the wing helping the guy in the cockpit taking out the instruments


Me working on getting the stuborn, rusted screws out from a panel so I can remove the tubing and wiring for the instruments.

Dougdrvr

Hope the fuel tank bladders are in good shape? They are a bear to find.

jsfBoat

The head of the restoration team and I were inspecting the fuel bladders which are in excelent condition. First time I had ever seen the self-sealing tanks from WWII. Look like big thick square ballons.

Falcon 50

jsfBoat,

That TBM you are helping to restore is part of the CAF. That aircraft will be based at KCJR National Capitol Squardron which I am a member of that squad. Thanks for all your hard work on the TBM. The time you put in on TBM you can come to Virginia and fly it.