Alright, to get you started, here is a look at Aircorps Aviation's new hangar!  They performed an engine change to the P-51 Red Tail and this includes the test flight footage at the end!  Outstanding work!

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Blog Update - October 01 - February 10

All quiet on the MNCAF front? HARDLY! The scant blog is an indicator not of lack of activity at the Wing, but rather an abundance of it! Since October, we closed out our flying season, and began to inspect the aircraft. Around that time, discussions took place about the use of hangar space, and what improvements could be made. That discussion lead to where we are at now. The hangar is in a state of chaotic activity. Walls are going up, others coming down. The PX will have a new home, and the museum will have more space. The machine shop has been moved, enclosed and expanded. Cleaning, organization and consolidation are taking place throughout the hangar. This massive project will lead to a whole new look on the inside of the hangar, and will give the museum and PX the much needed face lift it deserves. The hangar will now also feature a members only O'Club lounge overlooking the aircraft. A place where members can relax and enjoy the CAF after a day of hard work.

The aircraft have their own tales as well. The P-51 is maintenance is winding down, with few inspections left. It will have a propeller spinner change take place later this week. The Harvard engine is still out for overhaul and while it's gone, the airframe is getting a good lookover. The PT-22 is getting new brakes, and most important, a starter. It is flying through it's inspection with very few issues. The B-25 is about half-way through the inspection. It was subjected to a landing gear Non-destructive test, which has revealed a crack. Part of the landing gear will have to be replaced. This concern came after another B-25 operator had their landing gear break and fold forward... not something we want happening!

With all of this happening, the sprinkler system is also going together. Yesterday, the riser (main valves of the system) was assembled and runs were prepared for the office spaces. This is great news, since our dances will take place in our hangar!

I will do my best to deliver more timely updates, but if you can, stop down and see all the changes taking place! Just watch your step and you may want to bring a hardhat!

Around the Hangar

A lot has happened in two months, but some of our photos were lost when a hard drive crashed. For this go around, I'll present some of the latest photos, and we'll do our best to keep this more up to date in the future!
(Photos Thanks to Brian Strom, Matt Myklebust and Jim Lauria)

(Dave Schouveller is getting to be an expert at prop removal and installation)


(George Colaizy checks over the electrical system on the 1941 Willys Jeep)


(Bob Wright bleeds the BT-13 brakes as pilot Craig Rodberg checks the skies)


(Craig Steineck helps paint the display cases in the museum)


(Run, Roger is Reloading!)


(The WC-21 frame is getting very close to getting painted)


(Break Time!)


(Randy Hendrickson builds a fence between the Motor pool and Hangar 4)


(Which will look like the one he built between the Motor Pool and our Hangar! The city covered the material costs to help us beautify the airport)


(Bob Wright and Bob Koelbl repair the Harvard's engine)


(Roger van Ranst and Tom Langer remove accessories from the B-25's engine)


(Before the B-25's engine failed, it was involved with the filming of the Rise Above program, and The Restorers, which has an episode about the Minnesota Wing that will debut at Oshkosh)


(Having three P-51s and the B-25 in the hangar was quite a treat!)


(As was seeing them fly together!)


(The repaired engine, as of last night. This engine is now attached to the aircraft. Great work to the maintenance crew!)

Around the Hangar

Work around the hangar has been punctuated by a couple of parties the last few weeks. The Wing received the Llyod P. Nolen Unit Achievement award for 2010. This is the highest award given by HQ to a Wing or Squadron. We have accomplished a lot in the last year, and it was wonderful to be recognized for it! The Wing hosted pizza, cake and coffee for members for their achievement! Roxie Legg celebrated a birthday last Saturday at the hangar, and that brought sloppy joes and cake for the members, hosted by Ron Legg. Two weeks in a row of food and cake! Work didn't slow down much however, as you can see!
(Photos Thanks to Brian Strom and Keith Struck)

(Matt Myklebust attaches the P-51 gear door to the gear)


(Carol Lovaas imagines the next display for the museum)


(Mark Strausser and Brandan Penaz repair the PT-22's cowling)


(Andrew Salih, Randy Hendrickson and Matt Stone disassemble the 1943 Willys Jeep)


(... While George Colaizy tears down the engine)


(Tim Gunter preps panels for paint, say that 5 times fast)


(John Schmidt helps reassemble the L-5)


(Earl Teporten finds the issue with the nav lamp on the P-51)


(About as torn down as a jeep gets! The 1943 Willys tub is ready to be repaired)


(Al Morphew adds dope and fabric to the B-25's rudders)


(Bill Atchison paints the 1941 Willys gas tanks)


(The Wing celebrates the Llyod P Nolen Unit Award with pizza and cake)


(Congratulations and great work!)


(The award from HQ)


(One party leads to another... this time to celebrate Roxie Legg's birthday)


(Again, cake was served... though Amy Lauria got to it first)


(A view of the Hangar, just as spring is about to break)

Maintenance Time

The majority of work around the hangar is still maintenance of the aircraft. There are some of the usual faces around, leading the work, but what is surprising is the number of new faces that are helping get the work done! Keep it up and we will have a fantastic flying season! Just to give perspective... I had 70 photos to choose from. I decided that I would have someone different in each photo. I even had to leave a couple of people out (don't worry, they're on the blog all the time!)
(Photos Thanks to Brian Strom)

(Bob Koelbl and Bob Wright inspect and clean the BT-13)


(Matt Myklebust removes panels under the P-51)


(Mike Schoen and Joel Ludwigson inspect the wing attach points of the L-5)


(Tim Gunter looks over the BT-13 cockpit)


(Mark Strausser replaces panels on the B-25 nose)


(Mikael Menendez inspecting the backside of the B-25 instrument panel)


(Tom Peltier paints up a new mapcase for the B-25)


(Mark Erickson inspects the PT-22 wing attach bolts)


(Tom and Brandan grease the L-5 main wheel bearings)


(Craig Steineck preps the L-5 cowling for new noseart)


(Bob and Larry Utter discuss who gets the ladder)


(Jim Lauria, Mark Erickson, Dave Schouveller, Lindsey Coupe and Micael Menendez work around the B-25)


(Roger Van Ranst inspects the fuels system in the B-25)


(Todd Shannon and Arnie Fick work in the sheet metal shop)


(Tom Bies buffs the BT-13)


(John Beyl inspects the P-51 oil tank)


(Kurt Krogmann and Keith Struck pull a cylinder on the B-25)

Around the Hangar

As I said before, there is a TON of activity at the hangar, and it is quite difficult to keep up! A number of members made an off site visit to the C&P hangars to check out their B-25s, Betty's Dream and Lady Luck. Betty's Dream is a pristine example of a B-25, and is a great way to gain knowledge for our own projects.
(Photos Thanks to Gary Chambers and Brian Strom)

(Roger Van Ranst, Matt Myklebust and Jim Lauria check out Lady Lucks nose section)


(Roger, Dave Schouveller and Ray Miller look over the uber-complete Betty's Dream)


(Steve Wagoner removes panels from the B-25 tail section)


(Rudy Nassif, clearly moving faster than the speed of light, works on the PT-22's tail wheel)


(Mustangs don't look nearly as sleek with the spinner removed...)


(Bill Atchison and the Motor Pool workers are getting close to finishing their insulating wall)


(Carol Lovaas works to improve another museum case)


(Doug Olson inspects the PT-22)


(Matt Myklebust working on the P-51)


(It took me a minute to remember what was going on here... Larry Utter, Dave, Doug and I were trying to read very fine print in a manual)


(George Colaizy and Randy Hutchison got the tug running again!)


(Doug fondling one of the new ladders we purchased)


(Ray Miller running hydraulic lines for the tail turret. This picture reminds me of the colorized photos shot in the manufacturing plants during WWII.)