New Images!-AIR ZOO's 1943 Fairchild PT-23HO-In Flight & Interior V
Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2004 9:21 pm
'Here are some fresh new images of the Kalamazoo AIR ZOO's 1943
vintage Fairchild PT-23HO photographed in-flight, and also some nice
interior detail shots. When viewing, click on the "view full-size"
link above each image to zoom in.
My name is Greg Ward. I am the Curator of Restoration for the
Kalamazoo Air Zoo. I have worked for the K.A.H.M. for 17 years to
date.
My very first "complete" restoration project was this particular
Fairchild PT-23. (H0291) Registration Number N52020...
It was originally donated by Tom Austin, of Greenville Tennessee.
Tom purchased the airplane with every good intention of restoring
it, however, once he found himself deep into the woodworking
portions he decided to bail out. The good news was that he decided
to gift it to the Air Zoo back in 1988. Three of our staff mechanics
evaluated the project at that time and promptly decided that it was
well beyond their skill-levels, woodworking-wise. That was about one
month before I was hired in as a full-time A&P Mechanic there. I
studied the project and spent several hours on the telephone with
Mike Kelly. My background was primarily boat-building as well as
iceboat design and construction. After discussing the facts with
Mike, I approached the Air Zoo's Director, Bob Ellis. Bob granted
permission to proceed with the complete restoration of a smaller
part, as kind of a test of my skills. I began work on the vertical
fin, turtle deck and luggage compartment. Once finished, our IA
Dick Schaus approved everything with flying colors and we proceeded
to restore outer wing panels next. The decision was made to build a
completely new center section.
Eight years and about $80,000 later we were flying to Oshkosh to get
it judged. We did win "Judges Choice" in the Warbird area. To say
that I was busting a few buttons that day would be a gross
understatement! On the return trip home, Tom Austin mentioned that
we were losing airspeed for some reason, as compared with our
trip "to" Oshkosh. He eventually attributed that "drag" condition to
my rather large head and swollen ego protruding above the windscreen.
I must say, that machine has got to be one of the most stable and
pleasurable airplanes that I have ever flown. At one point during
the return trip, Tom noticed that we were drifting off course, ever
so slightly. I told him not to worry, because my arms had been
crossed and feet were flat on the floor for the past 20 minutes.
That PT-23 was trimmed out so well it was flying by itself!
The Air Zoo's Flight Program is currently "on-hold" for insurance
reasons. In the meantime, the Air Zoo's PT-23 is proudly displayed
inside the new AIR ZOO, which just opened May 1, 2004. If you ever
find yourself close to Kalamazoo, please plan a day or two
inspecting our new interactive aviation attraction. This new
facility is world-class, high-tech, and one-of-a-kind! The main
exhibit are alone measures out at 200' x 400', with 32' walls!
Famous aviation artist Rick Herter spent over a year painting a 32'
x 900' mural around the room's perimeter. The Guinness Book of World
Records awarded the Air Zoo with a plaque and declared Rick's
painting to be the world's largest, indoor hand-painted mural!
If you would like to see some beautiful pictures of the interior of
our new Air Zoo attraction, and specifically the mural, then please
join my yahoogroups site:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/flightcenter2/
Additionally, our "official" Air Zoo website is: www.airzoo.org for
the fine details.
Thank-you so much for inviting me to join your FairchildClub Group.
Respectfully,
Greg'
vintage Fairchild PT-23HO photographed in-flight, and also some nice
interior detail shots. When viewing, click on the "view full-size"
link above each image to zoom in.
My name is Greg Ward. I am the Curator of Restoration for the
Kalamazoo Air Zoo. I have worked for the K.A.H.M. for 17 years to
date.
My very first "complete" restoration project was this particular
Fairchild PT-23. (H0291) Registration Number N52020...
It was originally donated by Tom Austin, of Greenville Tennessee.
Tom purchased the airplane with every good intention of restoring
it, however, once he found himself deep into the woodworking
portions he decided to bail out. The good news was that he decided
to gift it to the Air Zoo back in 1988. Three of our staff mechanics
evaluated the project at that time and promptly decided that it was
well beyond their skill-levels, woodworking-wise. That was about one
month before I was hired in as a full-time A&P Mechanic there. I
studied the project and spent several hours on the telephone with
Mike Kelly. My background was primarily boat-building as well as
iceboat design and construction. After discussing the facts with
Mike, I approached the Air Zoo's Director, Bob Ellis. Bob granted
permission to proceed with the complete restoration of a smaller
part, as kind of a test of my skills. I began work on the vertical
fin, turtle deck and luggage compartment. Once finished, our IA
Dick Schaus approved everything with flying colors and we proceeded
to restore outer wing panels next. The decision was made to build a
completely new center section.
Eight years and about $80,000 later we were flying to Oshkosh to get
it judged. We did win "Judges Choice" in the Warbird area. To say
that I was busting a few buttons that day would be a gross
understatement! On the return trip home, Tom Austin mentioned that
we were losing airspeed for some reason, as compared with our
trip "to" Oshkosh. He eventually attributed that "drag" condition to
my rather large head and swollen ego protruding above the windscreen.
I must say, that machine has got to be one of the most stable and
pleasurable airplanes that I have ever flown. At one point during
the return trip, Tom noticed that we were drifting off course, ever
so slightly. I told him not to worry, because my arms had been
crossed and feet were flat on the floor for the past 20 minutes.
That PT-23 was trimmed out so well it was flying by itself!
The Air Zoo's Flight Program is currently "on-hold" for insurance
reasons. In the meantime, the Air Zoo's PT-23 is proudly displayed
inside the new AIR ZOO, which just opened May 1, 2004. If you ever
find yourself close to Kalamazoo, please plan a day or two
inspecting our new interactive aviation attraction. This new
facility is world-class, high-tech, and one-of-a-kind! The main
exhibit are alone measures out at 200' x 400', with 32' walls!
Famous aviation artist Rick Herter spent over a year painting a 32'
x 900' mural around the room's perimeter. The Guinness Book of World
Records awarded the Air Zoo with a plaque and declared Rick's
painting to be the world's largest, indoor hand-painted mural!
If you would like to see some beautiful pictures of the interior of
our new Air Zoo attraction, and specifically the mural, then please
join my yahoogroups site:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/flightcenter2/
Additionally, our "official" Air Zoo website is: www.airzoo.org for
the fine details.
Thank-you so much for inviting me to join your FairchildClub Group.
Respectfully,
Greg'