Museum Aircraft History Series ~ Grumman F-14B “Tomcat”
January 2, 2021
Renovation Activities ~ Week Ending 1/17/21
January 18, 2021
From Ken Ramsay (Wednesday):
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- Started working on replacing a large panel on the F-105 aft section. The holes are much bigger than the normal #4 rivets. Luckily we have #5 and #6 rivets.
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- New panel being created to replace one of the H-19’s deteriorated skin panels.
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- Looks like the F-86D has a broken nose. Actually, Kent is refurbishing the nose cone.
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- A picture of the OVB-1 showing the unique paint job.
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- The walls are up in the hanger’s north second floor. Mudding is now in progress.
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- Painting, lighting and carpet are next. Stay tuned. (Photo above too)
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- In the banquet hall Jim and Bill moved the booths to an observation position for a trial. Will give people a nice view of the flight line. On the downside they will interfere with setting up the center for maximum capacity and anyone sitting in the booths will have difficulty in seeing any presentations. As I said, this is a trial.
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- After 16 years working on restorations, I finally got a tool box. Christmas present form Sharon.
From Ken Ramsay (Saturday):
Although our museum is closed to the public, volunteers are still working on various projects in the museum and restoration.
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- The radome for the F-86D is coming along. Kent has applied a layer of fiberglass and epoxy to strengthen it and to prevent further cracking. Primer has been applied.
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- The F-86A’s canopy has been cleaned and polished. Looks almost new. Now it has to be assembled to the frame.
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- Replacement skin is being installed on the H-19. It is felt that removing all of the deteriorated skin before replacing would allow the framework to shift.
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- Selectively removing skin panels and replacing them will maintain the integrity of the fuselage.
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- Patching of the F-105 aft fuselage is coming along.
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- The Falcon missile, for the F-102 has been painted. Assembly should happen on Wednesday.