The pictures in this photo gallery first appeared in an issue of the Talewind. Pictures and text courtesy of Col. Harry Elegreet.

Tired and covered with oil, Fairchild PT-26 5519N arrives in Albuquerque on July 5th,1986

If the police had shown up they would have drawn a chalk line around the entire original center section

The “NEW” center- section, completely restored and with new wiring and refurbished hardware installed

Fuselage and tail-bones are “sprung” out of alignment and must be replaced

New Wing panels and center-section come together for a “fitting”

The Fuselage, center-section, wing panels and other restored components, begin to come together for final assembly

Foreign material on oil screen after start-up of a professional rebuild disclosed “left behind” shop rag wrapped tightly around accessory shaft

There was a surge of “feel good” through-out the hangar as the center-section neared completion. This represented years of much mental turbulence

There is no doubt that whoever designed the center-section had Sister Mary Splinter-of-the-Cross for 9th grade geometry

Stripping off the outer wing panel revealed many areas of skin damage, mostly wood rot caused by trapped moisture due to missing drain holes

Original horizontal stabilizer flunks inspection

How did it fly on those little wings?

Final engine check

The newly completed and gorgeous Fairchild PT-26A N5519N

Successful test flight, September 10,1998. Note large smoke trail

Here are a few more pictures of the PT-26 restoration while is was based at Coronado.

Raising money

Sanding…

Enjoy these pictures of the amazing restoration of the PT-26 cockpit.