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)

The Outside Air

Another installment of 'The Outside Air' brings us to sunny Texas, at the Centex Wing of the CAF. Their group houses the B-25 "Yellow Rose", along with a number of other warbirds. They are now affectionately calling their hangar "The Cobra Den" due to two quite rare aircraft. They are operating a P-39 Airacobra, and restoring a P-63 King Cobra.
(Photos Thanks to the Centex Wing)

Motor Pool keeps Motorin'

Having a nice place to work makes all the difference in the world. The Motor Pool is proving this, by rearranging, organizing, building and discarding the excess. Their efforts are really starting to show through, as they finish the insulation wall and start placing items in their appropriate locations. Great work guys!
(Photos Thanks to Brian Strom)

(The final stretch of wall is insulated)


(Bill Atchison putting in the sheet rock)


(Cadet Cody works on some of the finishing touches)


(Randy Hendrickson reroutes the thermostat wire)


(Cadet Anna recording all the motor pool appearances with Bill's guidance)


("STAND BACK", a ton [literally] of iron pipe is removed from the corner of the motor pool while Gary Stinar provides safety instruction.)


(Back to business... Randy, Bill and George Colaizy work on the M37 Weapons carrier. They now have it running and fully operational!)


(Gary looks on while George and Randy work on the 1943 Willys)


(They've got a lot of work ahead of them, but with some added help, they will get the job done fast!)

Marching to the Beat

A number of the members joined in for the Winter Carnival parade. It was not the warmest of days, but certainly not the coldest. We were able to bring the 1941 Plymouth Staff car, complete with heater, as well. It was a great way to get the word out about the CAF, as we handed out hundreds of leaflets with information about the museum. Thanks to all who attended, all of whom willing dressed the part! If you're interested in participating, talk with Bill Atchison in the Motor Pool. He already has half a dozen appearances lined up for the year!
(Photos Thanks to Brian Strom, Matt Myklebust, Eric Cheever and Eric Delacruz)

(Amy Lauria, Jim Lauria, Matt Stone, Mikael Menendez, Matt Myklebust and Andrew Salih prepare to move out)


(Amy and the rest of the crew rally at the start of the parade)


(Matt and Eric Cheever [also a new member] rode in Eric's 1942 WC-52)


(Historian and CAF participant Joel Brown dressed as a Tuskegee Airman, along with his son Theo)


(The group starts the long march through downtown)


(Dressed for the weather, a number of reenactors joined us for the parade. We all have a similar direction... preservation of history, and education.)

Blog Update - 14January to 01February

Good Afternoon Everyone!
Keeping on track with the Blog, I have a rather large update for you today. The activity at the Wing is booming... amazing for such a cold month! It's fantastic to see the enthusiasm, forward progress, and even better, the number of active members! Since Brian Strom was so busy, and took close to 500 pictures in the last few weeks, I will break up the normal "Around the Hangar" essay, and cover a number of different topics.

The focus of late remains the maintenance of the aircraft. All aircraft are being worked on regularly, and are progressing faster than I have ever seen! This can be attributed to the efforts of so many of the members. Awesome work everyone!

The efforts in the motor pool to decrease costs related to heat are coming to a close. The insulating wall is finished, and everything has been put back into place, allowing for maximum space to work on vehicles. The 1943 Willys Jeep is the current target, with a number of suspension issues already being identified.

Several Wing members participated in the Winter Carnival parade by marching, driving and handing out MN Wing fliers. There were a ton of people on hand, and we handed out hundreds of leaflets.

If you are a member who hasn't been to the hangar in awhile, or are thinking of joining the CAF, stop down soon to meet the members and see the amazing progress at the Minnesota Wing!

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!