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
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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
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The Douglas DC-3
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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.
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Teledyne Ryan AQM-34K
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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.
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Completed Projects
Link Trainer (1995-2002)
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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.
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The Bede Aircraft, BD-5 (Mar. 2005-Oct 2005)
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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.
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The Airship Shenandoah Model (2003)
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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
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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. |
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