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These are the pictures taken of our progress since the last update in
April 2007.
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The cockpit was stripped back down to provide better access to the under floor tubing. |
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The center fuselage section starts to look very empty. |
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Lots of time was spent in this position to remove the plumbing. |
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Are we too old for this? |
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Yes we do know how it goes back together! (I hope!) |
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LOTS of rivets came out to get to this stage |
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Naked as a babies behind! |
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It was interesting to find the original factory layout marks. |
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We found damaged stringers under the skin. Likely due to heavy handed refuelers. |
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Now we are sure we will the spar properly protected. |
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Lots of grunge was hidden everywhere. |
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Lots of cracks must be repaired. |
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Cleaning is underway. |
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The first crack repair is done. We are finally going the other way. |
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Cleaning the spar is made easier with everything removed. |
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But its still grunt work |
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There is no easy or quick way to get it done. |
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Our father and son welding team preping the weld area. |
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Note that the weld had only made contact with the tube in one spot. |
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This piece just fell off. |
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The bad welds reworked and ready for new TIG welds. |
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This time our FAA approved welder will get it right. |
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A friend of a Wing member donated 10 MK38A-2 practise bombs. |
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The wings wait patiently for their turn. |
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New sheet metal working tools are being purchased. |
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The new equipment will be used for the many required repairs. |
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Now we just need to get them off the hangar floor. |
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