Around the Hangar

We're getting closer to the flying season... the hangar door will be open tomorrow and it's supposed to be 70 degrees out!  We're finishing up inspections on all of the aircraft, so flying should commence in the next few weeks.  As this happens it will let us get to cleaning up and prepping for other projects around the hangar!

Aaron Stanton, Troy LaFaye and Bill Atchison troubleshoot the M37.

John Schmidt gets caught making bomb fins.

Todd Lofquist has been revamping the cases by the PX.

A slew of maintenance folks installing the right prop on the B-25.

Bob Koelbl and Tim Gunter tape off the BT-13 for wing walk to be added.

A visitor to our hangar, a Navion that will soon fly off to Texas.  The owner is working with us on parts trades.

Cadet Robbie and Mitch Bertrang prep the Bomb Bay Box for paint.

New leather surrounds were added to both cockpits of the PT-22.

Around the Hangar

As I have so much to catch up on, I will only be posting "Around the Hangar" this time. This is only a piece of the work taking place... come down and check it out yourself!
(Photos Thanks to Brian Strom)

(Removing the Harvard engine)


(It didn't take long for it to come off... far easier than the B-25!)


(From crowded, messy maintenance office to...)


(...open, clean and useful shop)


(Tool boxes left, parts and tools were sorted, and the area became an excellent sheet metal shop)


(The PX gets a new wall, by moving 3 large museum cases)


(Gary Stinar and Glenn Franke install windows in the new PX)


(And we did verify that even the big guys will fit through the door!)


(No windows yet, but gives an idea of what it will look like)


(Todd Lofquist takes on the museum wall project)


(Todd, Matt, Raine, and Kristen install the 8 foot wall)


(Difference in height... the wall now goes well around the corner)


(The sprinkler riser being assembled)


(Of course maintenance must keep on task as well... Dave Hennessy installs panels on the B-25)


(Bob Koelbl inspects the Harvard tail wheel)


(Arnie Fick builds boxes for the B-25 pre-oil system)


(Tom Peltier painted the guns for the B-25)


(Shawn Hokuf inspects the PT-22 intake system)

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!

State of the MN Wing

The goal of this meeting was to gather as many members as possible, have everyone get to know each other, and define the goals and struggles facing the MN Wing. The staff felt that the idea was received warmly, and that members want to have more of this type of meeting. If you attended and would like to comment, please let a staff member know!
(Photos Thanks to Keith Struck and Matt Myklebust)

(The meeting took place on a very beautiful day, which was wonderful for members who had a chance to look over and fly in the PT-22, BT-13 and B-25)


(But first we got down to business. Members had a chance to hear the staff's goals, and ask questions about anything they wished)


(The staff took turns discussing their areas, goals and needs. Here it looks very serious...)


(... but we had opportunities to have some fun. Joel Ludwigson [Finance Officer] took some time to poke fun of Wing Leader Amy Lauria)


(Now that the boring stuff is over... Time to eat!)


(New and old members mingle together, have some good food, and enjoy a common goal.)


(We were even surprised with the loan of this 4wheeler. Member Brent Darling contacted a friend with Cannon Valley Sports, who graciously loaned this to us for a year!)


(On to the rides! The B-25 had some issues, but the BT-13 and PT-22 picked up the slack)

The Outside Air

Our PT-22 pilot training came from Terry Freedman, a CAF PT-22 pilot out of California. He was lucky enough to be involved with the Centennial of Naval Flight. Here is his write-up and accompanying photos.

I had the privilege and great luck to be able to participate in one of the most
amazing aviation events of my life in the parade of nearly 200 aircraft that
passed up the San Diego Bay on Saturday the 12th of February. Flying the
Commemorative Air Force Ryan PT-22, I was the first airplane in the parade that
followed the Blue Angels up the Bay. The weather was absolutely spectacular! You
could see all the way to Honolulu! I brought my wife Gini along to be the
photographer to document this truly Historic event and she got some great shots!
It is hard for me to describe the feelings of that day and flight, it is one I
will always remember!
Terry
PS: For the history buffs, the Navy did operate 200 NR-1's, the Navy version of
the Army PT-22, all at the then NAS Cecil field in Jacksonville, Fl.
PPS: Gini's dad was a Hell Cat pilot in WWII so this had some special meaning
for her too!

Aircraft Maintenance and Modification

Since so many pictures come in lately, I have to split the "Around the Hangar" section out and take a little different approach. We will focus on the aircraft maintenance side of things in this set of photos.
(Photos Thanks to Brian Strom)

(John Beyl, Larry Utter and Micael Menendez discuss the maintenance plans for the day)


(Matt Myklebust works on the P-51)


(Bob Wright checks the BT-13's ailerons)


(Dave Schouveller and Roger Van Ranst work on the B-25's exhaust system)


(It takes a group effort around the hangar... Mar Erickson, Matt, Andy Piazza and Dave remove the tail turret)


(Larry, Jim Lauria, Matt and Mark trade theories on what's needed to improve the tail turrets operation)


(Brandan Penaz works with Mark and Keith Struck under the supervision of Al Morphew. They are removing old fabric tape on the B-25 rudders in preparation for rejuvenating them)


(Doug Rozendaal and Al Morphew discuss what we are all ready for, next years flying season!)


(Al sprays rejuvinator on the rudders)


(Don't stop scrolling or we'll send Dave after you!)


(Rudy Nassif and Doug Olson clean up the PT-22)


(Matt and John inspect the Mustang engine and adjust the valves)


(Part of maintenance is discussing the plans. Doug, Meaghan Butzer, Janaka Buldoc and Bob talk over ideas for the PT-22 radio)


(Tom Goodwill cleans up the P-51 prop hub)


(Tim Gunter adds some marking tape to the L-5's fluid lines)


(Micael, Steve Kaminson and Andy Piazza inspect the Mustang)


(A new addition to the B-25... curtains! These are original issue WWII curtains that all B-25Js came with.)