Geedee's P-51D Cockpit Project

[Geedee]

Chaps, apologies as I havent provided an update for a few months !.

Haven't done any real work on my babe, but have been busy still collecting bits 'n' pieces.

I've now got a 'Tail Warning' bell, dug out the IFF panel ready for some TLC, installed some seat belts that I got from the US, a rather nice un-issued gunsight cover for my K14 and also got a correct version USAAF oxy regulator.

I'm going to be big and brave tomorrow and go out into the 'Shangar, ignoring the torrential rain thats been slated to hit us over the weekend, and I'm going to start stripping her down for in preparation for some some much needed Winter maintenance. This'll include fitting the new stuff over the next few month, moving the sound system to just behind the firewall, installing the new armor plate, a complete re-paint on the inside, and then its off to work on the outside.

Looking forward to getting stuck-in

 

[Airframes]

Great additions Gary !
Forgot to ask - how did the Bottisham open day go ?

 

[J dog]

looking great keep up the good work

 

[Aaron Brooks Wolters]

Excellent Gary, Christmas came early!

 

[Gnomey]

Good stuff so far Gary!

 

[fubar57]

Looks great Gary.

Geo

 

[vikingBerserker]

What an awesome job you have done so far!

 

[Wildcat]

Looking awesome Gary!

 

[Shinpachi]

Awesome work, Gary.
I only admire.

 

[Crimea_River]

Thanks for the update Gary. Looks excellent sir!

 

[Geedee]

Wow, thanks again for support chaps.

Well, as I said, I was going to brave the horrible weather and spend the day in the Shangar....only spent the morning wiv the missus on horse related duties instead !.

So I eventually ended up in the Shangar and this is how she looked before I started....I really need to get a bigger place to work on her !.

Then it was time to get stuck in, and quicker that a quick thing at a quick thing convention, the top panels where off and ....

Then it was time to start stripping her out.

Unfortunately, by the time I had finished, i had also just about run out of space to put the bits 'n' pieces away safely. I hate seeing her like this, but its for the better as now I can get to those parts and places I need to do remedial work on to bring her upto the standard I'm now looking for.

I did take the chance to trial fir the top section of armor plate only to find that ...hey guess what...non of the bl**dy holes line up so theres some major surgery in the offing !.

I'll keep you updated as things progress. I'm really looking forward to getting stuck back into the buidling / fabricating side of things again and when I've finished this time , she'll be markedly different

And this is how she looks at the moment

 

[Lucky13]

Beautiful work mate!

 

[Gnomey]

Great work so far Gary!

 

[jimh]

Whit and I are thinking of building our own 51...thanks to some crucial drawings!!!

 

[Geedee]

Thanks again chaps.

Jim, Git-R-Done!!!

 

[Tony Hill]

W


OW

W

!!!!!!!

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Sure looks good Gary, how the hell do you manage to get in there and work on it, swinging from the rafters!

 

[Geedee]

Thanks guys.

Swing from the rafters ?...yes mate, got plenty of chandelier pract....ooeerrrr, shouldnta said that

Srtipped the final bits out the tub now and am getting ready to start work over the Xmas break. Have recently acquired another Tail Warning Bell, this time with the makers plate attached and its in pristine condition (I was the guy who unwrapped it from its sealed state !) and have got some AC pulleys that will enable me to make the rudders pedals work as they should....more details later. And finally, I've got an original ammo feed chute for the inboard .50 so with the cooling jacket I also have, I will be making a replica .50 to take around on show.

Interesting snippet I picked up recently, the .50 bullet weighs 1.6 Oz. The .50 fitted to the fighters fired at 75 Rounds Per Minute...a 3 second burst from 6 X .50's would put 22.5Lbs of metal into whatever was in front of the guns !

 

[Aaron Brooks Wolters]

Very nice Gary. I have three 50 cal rounds on my desk. You shoulda hollered I'd of sent you one.

 

[Crimea_River]

So when are you gonna build the wing to go around the ammo chute?