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Update on the restoration of the TBM Avenger Torpedo Bomber
January 2012


Repair of the damaged right wing of the aircraft was going quite slowly and it was decided that we needed assistance.  We were able to hire a couple of professional sheet metal men to expedite the repair. 

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They worked 3 days and have just about finished the repair.  We expect that it will be completed prior to the end of 2011.
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Efforts to locate a left wing cap turned up nothing until December 10 and the needed parts to finish the left wing are on their way to us and should be installed in early January. 

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The oil tank and the Wright R-2600 engine have been installed and the oil lines are in place. The nose cowl has been repaired including new bushings and shock mounts are now in place.  The cowl flaps have been restored with new bearings and hardware.  The cowling has been inspected and new Dzus fasteners are installed.  A number of the panels are in place.

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GEDC0406.JPGAll control surfaces have been recovered with silver dope and are ready for final paint. We hope do the final paint on the fuselage interior so parts may be permanently installed.

 

 

We have a new blank center instrument panel and work to install the instruments will commence in January.  The donation of modern instruments will allow us to have a first class cockpit.





Forward bomb bay door hinges were manufactured and we are ready to fit, remove, paint and store these doors along with the wings, flaps and control surfaces. The aft vertical stabilizer fairing has been repaired and ready to install.
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This year has seen the completion of the cleaning and preservation of the interior of the fuselage and once the final coat on the interior is complete we expect to permanently install many items.

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GEDC0395.JPGNew interest in our project has brought new members to the Florida Wing and we recently have 2 more sponsors of this aircraft. 

A large cache of TBM parts has been located and it is anticipated that we will acquire them along with the assistance of an individual who is an experienced TBM mechanic. He will become a CAF member and with his help, our progress should accelerate.

 Software has been purchased to construct and manage the various jobs necessary to complete the restoration of this TBM Avenger aircraft.  A new system of accountability, documentation and job work sheets is being implemented which will make FAA certification a much easier task. 




 

 
 

CAFFL FOOTER

 

CAF FLORIDA WING
DeLand, Florida
Commemorative Air Force, Florida Wing 
P.O. Box 1944, DeLand, Florida 32721-1944

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