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.)

A Cool Way to Start a Saturday

A few weeks ago, we were approached by Brandon, a Navy Helicopter pilot, who asked if we would be able to grant a favor. He and his girlfriend Deb wanted to get into the cockpit of Miss Mitchell. He went on to explain that he was going to ask her to marry him and wanted to do so inside the B-25. We thought this was a neat idea, and were happy to help.

Congratulations to Brandon and Deb on getting engaged!

The Outside Air

This update of The Outside Air focuses on the PBJ-1J (Navy/Marines B-25) being restored by the So. California Wing of the CAF. The group has done a significant amount of fabrication work, due to some daunting corrosion issues. The aircraft is looking great, and looks like it will be an outstanding example of a PBJ! For more info, visit http://www.orgsites.com/ca/caf-socal/index.html
(Video by Dan Newcomb)


Six Years in Six Minutes

Dan Newcomb | Myspace Video

Blog Update - 09December to 14January

Good Afternoon Everyone!

I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday! This year Christmas Day and New Years Day both fell on a Saturday, but that didn't stop some die-hard members from showing up at the hangar to work! I know, we're a bit nuts.

The Holiday season has been a good one for the CAF. We've gained a number of new members, all of whom are enthusiastic! I have had so many members and visitors comment on how busy the hangar is. We have people working on every aircraft, working in every area of the hangar, and a good sized group at the motor pool. It is amazing, and impossible for any one person to keep track of everything that is going on! This is so great to see, and has new and old members excited about being at the hangar!

Our efforts to cut cold at the Motor Pool are already paying off. The heat runs less and less, and the building stays quite warm. It will be a great place to work once the building projects are completed!

There are a number of new efforts being devised by the Wing Staff and Membership to increase revenue. If you have any suggestions for new revenue to pursue, let us know! We are looking for any way to generate funding, which will allow us to expand, update and procure new items in the museum!

Be sure to make an effort to swing by the hangar, especially on a Saturday, to meet some new members, see the new projects, and get involved with the CAF!

Around the Hangar

We've got a number of members showing up despite the cold! It's great to see everyone, and to see all of the work getting done! Great work all, keep it up!
(Photos Thanks to Brian Strom)

(Fleming Field is snow covered, but that doesn't mean that everything shuts down!)


(Arnie Fick and Ray Miller remove inspection panels on the B-25)


(Kurt Krogmann and Dave Schouveller remove the B-25's rudder)


(The fabric has gotten old and needs to be retreated)


(Larry Utter watches intently as the main landing gear on the B-25 retracts)


(Bob Wright disassembles, inspects and greases the prop on the BT-13)


(Doug Olson removes spark plugs from the PT-22)


(Ray Miller cleans the PT-22's plugs)


(Rudy Nassif works on the PT-22's Kinner engine)


(Nate Timm works to get the B-25's tail turret operating this year)


(George Colaizy checks wiring in the motor pool)


(Bill Atchison adds insulation to the motor pool office)


(Randy Hendrikson and George follow behind with drywall)


(A clean new wall in the motor pool)

The Outside Air

Good Afternoon All,
I'm starting a new section called "The Outside Air". As opposed to our "Around the Hangar" section, it will focus on projects that are taking place outside of the MN Wing. These projects can be anything relating to what we do (i.e. Warbirds, Aviation, WWII, museums, etc.) so if you know of something interesting and would like everyone to see it, please let me know!

For this post, I have stumbled across a very neat restoration. Some of you may know of this already know about this, but for those of you who don't, I think you will find it to be a unique and interesting project! The Mosquito is a wood fuselage construction, and presents very unique problems when trying to rebuild it. Jerry Yagen's project has taken 18 years, and is taking place in New Zealand.

Check out more at www.mosquitorestoration.com!
(Photos Thanks to EAA's Facebook Page)

Blog Update - 29 November to 09 December

Good Afternoon All!
I've waited a week to post this blog update. As soon as I posted the last update, I ran across a new project that I wanted to share with everyone, but decided to wait until I had some more info about the hangar.

I'm starting a new segment called "The Outside Air". It will focus on different projects that are taking place around the world that relate to what we do in the hangar. Like "Around the Hangar" I would like to put up one project per update, so if you know of something cool in the world of warbirds, WWII, museums or aviation in general, let me know!

We've gotten a little further with the City of South St. Paul. They have approved a Conditional Use Permit that will allow us to do our events legally, as long as we get the sprinkler system in. Next steps are to agree and sign a lease, then get the bonding money going!

Bill Atchison and the Motor Pool team are taking strides to insulate the side bay of their building. A little bit of cost will save us hundreds if not thousands per year in heating costs. The effort is already making a huge difference, in heating and safety! They have a lot of work left to do, so consider spending some time helping them!

The B-25 is off of jacks, and will begin the major portion of the yearly inspection Saturday. First step will be to pull panels and covers, and then we delve in and get our hands dirty. The sooner we get the inspection done, the sooner we can start repairs and modifications. This will all take a lot of work, so if you are versed in the bomber, mechanically inclined, or just want to learn some of the details surrounding the aircraft, please stop by!

As always, there is a lot to do at the hangar... it's a little cold to start, but warms up well! Stop in any Wednesday and Saturday to see for yourself what is happening!

Midland Airsho

Airsho is always a great time! You get a chance to see old friends, meet new ones and see some of the rarest aircraft fly! This year, the B-25, P-51 and Harvard made the trip down. There was a slight feel of political tension, but nothing that overshadowed the excitement of having FIFI fly overhead!
(Photos Thanks to Matt Myklebust)

(A cool day starting in Lakeville. Mike Schoen was nice enough to fly us door to door from Fleming in his plane)


(Lunch/Fuel stop in Pratt, KS attracted a good size crowd)


(Pratt was a B-29 base during WWII)


(Matt Myklebust self potrait, somewhere over flat land in the Harvard)


(Once we got to Midland, Amy Lauria wanted to catch up with an old friend)


(We attended the Membership Meeting, held by the General Staff and Steve Brown)


(Steve impersonates country singer/CAF Member Aaron Tippin (playing the guitar), while the membership are treated to a quick concert)


(John Beyl met us down there, and took the time to make the P-51 shine. It paid off, as the Mustang won Best In Show!)


(Practice day allowed a nice close vantage point for the bomber crews)


(... Great for shots like this!)


(A panoramic shot from Miss Mitchell's vantage point on the bomber ramp.)


(A great shot of the TBM rolling out in the morning)


(The mechanics took a look through the parts warehouse, seeing if there's anything of interest lying around)


(Larry Utter enjoys the beautiful weather on top of Miss Mitchell's wing)


(By far the most exciting part of the trip is the first time we saw FIFI's wheels leave the dirt)


(Having had all the fun we could stand, a number of us went to fix a Harvard problem that was found during a walk-around. A little sheet metal, some rivets and we were all good to go.)


(We found the rest of the group telling stories...)


(... Having a refreshing beverage...)


(... and having a great time with like-minded individuals)


(As usual, Midland Airsho was a great experience!)