- WMOF Restoration Projects
The
Western Museum of Flight, a part of the Southern California Historical
Aviation Foundation (SCHAF) currently has completed the following
restorations.
Recent Restoration Projects
The North American F-86 Sabre
Jet
|
|
The F-86F Sabre Jet was manufactured at
the North American Aviation factory in Inglewood, California.
This aircraft was number 122 in a series of 280 aircraft built
for the Japanese Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) and was the last
F-86 in its inventory. This particular aircraft was used in the
retirement ceremonies that the JASDF had for their F-86's.
The museum obtained the aircraft in November of 1997.
Work is going on to maintain and polish the skin and final authentic
paint restoration. To see pictures of the restoration click here
|
The Douglas DC-3
|
 |
The Douglas DC-3 is considered by some
to be the most successful civil aircraft ever built. The technical
innovations included retractable landing gear, wing flaps, variable-pitch
propellers, stressed-skin structure and flush riveting. The first
airplane flew in 1935 and over 18,000 were built. The aircraft
was the former corporate aircraft for Unocal Corporation.
All corrosion damage to the exterior skin has been repaired and
the aircraft repainted in the original Union Oil colors.
To see pictures of the restored aircraft and its supporting tug
and gas truck click here.
The DC-3 is currently on loan to the Flight Path
Learning Center.
|
Teledyne Ryan AQM-34K
|
 |
The AQM-34K was a night reconnaissance
version of the Firebee series of targets drones and RPVs (Remotely
Piloted Vehicles) and was one of the most successful and versatile
unmanned aircraft developed at the time. It was equipped
with an infrared strobe and Doppler radar. It had the short wings
of the original BQM-34A, but the longer fuselage and higher-rated
engine of the 147G/J. Twenty of these types of RPVs were
built and flown between December 1968 and November of 1969.
To see more pictures of the vehicle
click
here.
|
Completed Projects
Link Trainer (1995-2002)
|
|
The1942 model C-3 Link Trainer was manufactured
by Link, an organ and player piano maker. It was used by
the allies during World War II to train pilots to fly using only
instruments. During World War II, 6271 Link trainers were
delivered to the Army and 1045 to the Navy. The Link trainers
were also used by 35 foreign countries. Movement of the
trainer is accomplished by vacuum operated bellows, controlled
by valves connected to the control wheel (or stick) and rudder
pedals. An instructor sat at the desk and transmitted radio messages
which the student in the Link heard through his earphones. The
remains of the Link Trainer were acquired by the Museum in 1994
with additional hardware being obtained in 1997 and 1998. For
the full history of the Link Trainer and the restoration
click here.
|
The Bede Aircraft, BD-5 (Mar. 2005-Oct
2005)
|
The Bede Aircraft BD-5, an experimental,
homebuilt, single-seat high performance aircraft, first flew
more than 30 years ago. The BD-5 is a low-wing, pusher-configuration
sport plane. Design features include all-metal construction,
mechanical retractable landing gear, detachable wings, and wrist
action side stick control as used in modern day fighter aircraft.
Originally developed in the early 1970's the aircraft was designed
for daytime VFR requirements for use in sport and recreational
flying. The aircraft features limited aerobatic capability.
When completely restored, the aircraft will be used as part of
the Museum’s educational program. Presently, work
is being performed to repair extensive damage to the underside
of the fuselage.
For the full history of the aircraft and the
restoration, click
here.
|
The Airship Shenandoah Model
(2003)
|
|
Congress authorized the purchase of three airships
in 1919. One, the Shenandoah, was to be built in the United States
with the objective of establishing an airship capability in America.
The other two were the R-38, an English airship, never delivered,
and the Los Angeles built in Germany by the Zeppelin Company.
The Shenandoah crashed in a storm over Cambridge, Ohio on September
3 1925. The Museum obtained the twelve foot flying scale
model of the Shenandoah in about 1987. To minimize the weight,
the structure was made of 1/16 inch balsa wood and covered with
tissue paper. The hull was filled with two helium bags when it
flew. Time and a Museum roof leak took its toll on the model.
The paper disintegrated and the structure de-laminated, sagged
and twisted. For the full history of the Shenandoah and
the restoration click
here. |
Future Projects
The Northrop F-89 Scorpion
|
|
The Northrop F-89 Scorpion was one of the primary
defenders of North American airspace during the Cold War. A total
of 1052 Scorpions were built. During its career, the F-89 equipped
36 active Air Force Units and 17 Air National Guard squadrons.
One of the most heavily armed fighter aircraft, the F-89 was
the backbone of the North American Air Defense Command for more
than 17 years. The F-89 was the first multi-seat, all-weather
jet interceptor. It was the first aircraft designed to carry
an all-rocket armament and the first to carry the Hughes Falcon
air-to-air guided missile. The F-89 made its maiden flight
Aug. 16, 1948, with the first production model being accepted
Sept. 28, 1950. The F-89 is currently located at Cable Airport. |
Home |
