Restoration

The H-1 Hughes Racer mentioned in previous newsletters continues to grow gradually in length as we have begun construction on the fuselage from the forward cockpit area to the firewall. This portion of the aircraft is comprised of a large cap-like structure that is attached to the rest of the structure by 200 or so ¼” countersunk machine screws. Beneath it on the actual aircraft, we would find the centerline fuel tank and oil reservoirs, and beneath them, the wing attach points and the centerline keel.Much intricate structural effort will be required in the near future and the design team is busy coming up with the required pertinent drawings.

Final shaping of the very large Hughes wing by our wood working group is now in process, leaving control linkage, control surface and split flap construction next on the agenda. At this time we will not estimate a completion date for the project; but it is safe to say that it will be well into the next decade before we roll the airplane onto the gallery floor.

At Gillespie Field, work continues on the 1927 Boeing FB-5 fighter, with the fuselage nearing completion.It is difficult to imagine the complexity of the metal work required to tie everything together on the large bi-plane, but under project head Bill Jensen’s watchful eye and skilled fabrication talents, things are progressing nicely. We will tag this project with a somewhat realistic completion date estimate of year end 2016.

Curatorial

Following the very busy holiday season, Curatorial took on the task of aircraft “musical chairs” on the gallery floor. We lowered the Curtiss Robin to the floor and removed it to Gillespie Field where it will undergo a restoration, including a complete recovering and new paint. We moved the PT-22 to the P-26 area in World War II, where it will remain for one year until the P-26 is brought back from the Museum of Flight in Seattle, where it will play a big part in the Boeing 100^th anniversary celebration. Our next move was to lift the Fleet Model 2 to the ceiling above the Lockheed Vega (Amelia airplane), where it will stay indefinitely. Lastly, we will be bringing back the Curtiss JN4 “Jenny” from Gillespie Field where its restoration has just been completed. It has been a favorite of Museum visitors for a long time and we are excited about having it back.

Da Vinci “The Ultimate Innovator,” our current traveling exhibit, is doing great. If you haven’t had the chance to tour da Vinci yet, you will not want to miss it.Enlightening and entertaining, it is a marvelous experience for all ages, and it will be on site until January of 2017. And don’t forget to tell your friends.