Our P-51C Mustang Tuskegee Airmen is under the weather, of sorts. After bringing in the aircraft for routine maintenance, it has been revealed that there are some major items that are in need of immediate repair, which will ground us until this larger scope of work is complete.
The radiator, one of the legs of the landing gear, a piston ring and damage to the aileron cables are all on the docket for repair, along with the Mustang’s regularly-schedule maintenance. Although none of these needs indicate a life-threatening problem to the aircraft, they certainly are very expensive and need to be attended to before it can be flown again.
Tye Halvas and the team at AirCorps Aviation are giving us the inside scoop on the maintenance and repair, and we are going to keep you updated with regular posts and pictures to follow along with the process. Keep your eyes on this blog for updates!
Current work in progress:
Engine – The banks and pistons are at Roush Aviation and will be done the first week of February. Right now they are in the disassembly and inspection process.
Landing gear – The pivot shafts are getting magnafluxed and cadmium plated. They are expected back January 13th. At that point that landing gear will be reassembled, serviced with fluid and nitrogen and installed in the aircraft.
Horizontal stabilizer – The patch has been completed and the paint process is done though primer. As soon as the landing gear is in and the aircraft is back on the ground it will be painted red.
Radiator – The radiator has been cleaned and inspected. Repairs have been made to the solder and the core is currently being tested.
Check out these great photos from the crew at AirCorps Aviation. Join us on this blog as we follow our P-51C Mustang Tuskegee Airmen back to pristine condition!
The banks and pistons removed from the engine.
The coolant pump removed for a drive shaft inspection.
The overhauled flap actuator after installation.
A look down the trailing edge of left wing after repaint and new aileron cable installation.
Brake assemblies with new rotors installed and ready for installation on gear.
An overhauled wheel after Tagnite coating has been applied and ready for paint.
This photo was taken under a black light during the dye penetrant process of the main landing gear pivot shaft. The crack shows up as the thin green line.
Mechanic Brian Bottolene works to hoist the right bank off of the engine.
Bird strike repair is completed and ready for red paint.
