Douglas
A-26 Preservation Progress Report – July 2008
Prepared by:
Fuselage
Cockpit
The cockpit area was the in the worst condition of all the aircraft.
The cockpit was completely stripped of important parts while it was at
Rear cockpit area before starting work
Rear area after removing components, plumbing and cables
Current state of preservation in rear cockpit area
Bill
Stevens cleaning up a pile of tubing and parts
Rear Fuselage
The rear fuselage, aft of the gunner compartment, was removed. The inside was relatively clean.
The rear control surfaces (rudder and elevators) are controlled through a control assembly. The assembly was removed from the aircraft and completely broken down. All parts were cleaned, lubricated and the unit was re-assembled. The external surfaces were painted with corrosion-inhibiting paint. Two small Plexiglass windows located on either side of the rear fuselage were broken. The windows were held in place with screw into nut plates which were corroded and they had to be drilled out. The nut plates were replaced and two new Plexiglass windows were re-installed. The external sheet metal was wet-sanded to remove excessive oxides and then polished. Next, the inside will be tackled where all the control cables pass to the rudder and elevator control assembly. The inside will be power-washed and spray painted with corrosion-inhibiting paint. The formation light will need to be replaced on the bottom of the rear fuselage. As with everything else, the screws are corroded in place and will need to be drilled out and new nut plates installed.
The vertical stabilizer was removed and the internal areas cleaned of birds’ nests and debris left by small animals.
Birds’ nests
and Tom Palshaw and
A corroded rib was found on the base of the tail, probably the result of all the animal debris that fell on it. A template was made to replicate the holes and strengthening ridges for the rib. The rib was fabricated and re-riveted in place. Two of the hinge supports for the rudder were extensively corroded. They were fabricated using a third hinge support that was in good condition as a template. The pitot tube located on the top of the vertical stabilizer was missing. A pitot tube was located and installed. A hole on the top of the vertical stabilizer that held modern radio equipment was covered with sheet metal. All the external surfaces of the vertical stabilizer were wet-sanded to remove excessive oxides and then polished with weather protecting waxes. The internal areas will be corrosion protected with AC-50 before re-assembly.
The horizontal stabilizers were removed and the internal areas cleaned of birds’ nests and debris left by small animals. No significant corrosion was found. All the external surfaces of the horizontal stabilizers were wet-sanded to remove excessive oxides and then polished with weather protecting waxes. The internal areas will be corrosion protected with AC-50 before re-assembly.
Nose Wheel Well
Work was initiated in the nose wheel well. The rear bulkhead area where the hydraulic cylinders that raise and lower the bomb bay spoilers was cleaned of animal debris and surfaces were wet-sanded, corrosion inhibited and painted black. Hydraulic tubing was removed, wire brushed and re-installed. Work continues in the wheel well.
Rear bulkhead of nose wheel well area before removing components
Gun Turret
We have two upper GE Turret assemblies with ammo cans. Both units are in very bad condition. We are using both units to try to re-assemble one good one. The units are heavily corroded and some of the ammo cans are corroded out. The best turret was used as the starting point and it was completely torn down. All the bearings and rollers were cleaned, lubricated and re-installed. All the existing cabling was refurbished and re-installed. All parts were cleaned, corrosion-inhibited and re-installed. Work is current centered on the ammo cans.
Instrument Panel
The pilot’s instrument panel and the main electrical panel are in the process of being restored. We have all the instruments and switches. The instruments were cleaned up and cosmetically repaired where needed. We are purchasing or fabricating parts that are missing.
Mark 33 Sighting Station
The periscope sighting station was in fairly good condition but still needed some work. The sighting station was restored. A mounting stand was fabricated and the sighting station will be put on floor display in the military hanger.
Bomb Bay
Two of the bomb racks were disassembled and all parts were cleaned, corrosion-inhibited and the racks were re-assembled. Four more racks need work.
The bomb bay doors hydraulic actuating system on the forward bulkhead was removed and all parts cleaned, corrosion-inhibited, painted where appropriate and re-installed at this time.
Partial
preservation on forward bomb bay door hydraulic system
Completed forward bomb bay hydraulic system
Wing Fillets
The wing fillets provide streamlining between the wing and fuselage. When we got the aircraft, they were loosely attached in some areas but most areas were not attached. All the nut plates were corroded and had to be drilled out. New nut plates were installed. The fillets will be put in storage until the aircraft is ready for display.
Right Engine Nacelle
New longerons were fabricated for the outboard side of the right engine nacelle. They were installed and a new stress panel was fabricated and riveted in place. Some of the inboard longerons were also corroded, so they were removed and new longerons installed. The stress panel was re-riveted. All exposed metal, including the fuel tank well, were painted with corrosion-inhibiting paint. The fuel tank, which was removed in order to do the sheet metal work, was dropped back into the fuel tank well in the nacelle in July and the connections will be made in the coming weeks.