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Update Reports for B-24
OL' 927... |
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Ol’927 - July Maintenance Report
Rick Garvis has been here in Midland with me working on the
B-29. As a result, we have been utilizing the talents of
several local Dallas area volunteers as well as James West, to
work and crew the B-24, for the last month. As I expected from
Rick’s hard work, along with his Addison crew, in getting her
put together for this season, there have been no cancellations
of operations DUE TO MAINTENANCE!! Also no pilot write ups!! I
know I speak for Rick when I say, you’ve all done a great job.
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NOW LET’S GET
THESE 2 GIRLS OUT THERE
TO PERFORM AND EDUCATE,
HAVE SOME FUN AND MAKE SOME MONEY!! |
Dave |
Ol’927 - March Maintenance Report
As you all should know by now, Rick Garvis is the co-crew
chief and working hard to get the 24 ready for duty in
Addison. The plan has been to get the 24 ready for the first
tour stops at Dyess and Altus AFB’s. We are not going to Sun
and Fun this year because the cost outweighs the return! There
may be some rides flying before we go but I’ll leave that up
to Walt!
As far as maintenance goes, Rick has told me that she will be
ready and in great shape. He has done some engine maintenance
that has not been done for a while that will make a big
difference in how she performs. My thanks to Rick and the
volunteers that are coming out to help. Larry, Bill and James
to name a few that I know of! |
Maintenance Officer - Don Obreiter
Instead of the usual report this time of year of “winter
maintenance on our B‐24 is still in
progress” (of which it is of course) I wanted to talk about
some of the behind the scenes issues
and progress being made. Each year our Maintenance program and
aircraft have undergone dramatic changes and improvements;
some by choice and some not. From the major system and
component upgrades accomplished back in Tulsa, the conversion
of our B‐24 from Diamond Lil’ to Ol’ 927 in Midland, the move
to Addison, process changes, paperwork changes, training
improvements, to putting FIFI back in the air to name a few.
The hurdles and achievements never stop.
I’m actually very happy and excited to announce that this
year’s big change is the hiring of Rick
Garvis of Hangar Aviation, who has been on‐board with us part
time the last couple of winters to help with the B‐24 annual
inspection and subsequent repairs has now been brought
on‐board with us full‐time! Those of you that have met him and
had the pleasure of working with him know the talent,
dedication, and warbird experience he brings to us. For
anybody that has not had the pleasure of working with Rick or
seeing him in action, I hope you can soon!
In addition to all the safety of flight issues and straight
forward mechanical problems we
work, we also work every year on items to improve our
aircraft’s reliability. A large portion of this year’s
reliability enhancement efforts are being focused on our
engines. Not just with FIFI, but with the B‐24 as well. As the
engine builders are still working diligently on our new R‐1830
replacements, it was decided this winter to go beyond the
usual engine related inspected items and regular annual
maintenance and get into sub‐components and methods we can use
to help extend their lives, reduce downtime, and keep them
running as strong as possible all year long. Fortunately,
there is very minimal expense with this plan, but
unfortunately, it does add a lot of additional labor and
causes additional maintenance time. The pay‐off will
definitely be worth this effort this is something that has to
be done.
Within our Maintenance operation, we’re very lucky to have as
great of a Crew Chief as we
do, Rick joining our team and some of the best mechanics in
the business, but we also have a lot of other people involved
taking on the plethora of other off‐aircraft tasks necessary
to keep things going. Things such as parts inventorying, parts
searching, scanning and reproducing technical data,
processing, tracking, answering correspondence, comments, and
mechanical/maintenance questions from people all over the
World, building system schematics, training, and paperwork and
more paperwork! Another huge task that our own Bill Hickox has
graciously agreed to take on is that of our D/FW area
Maintenance Liaison. This is a big job that takes a lot of
effort!
Please, don’t hesitate to contact him or myself if you are
interested in getting involved, working,
learning about how the planes work, getting some training, or
just getting involved.
I’ve been getting rightfully asked about a ready for flight
date with the B‐24. Thankfully, the tempo, progress, and
amount of volunteers helping out have been picking up
dramatically.
As usual though, there is never enough time, money, and talent
available to get all of our “wish
list” done every year, but as always, the critical items and
issues affecting safety in any way are
definitely being taken care of. However, this annual process
can be very fluid with numerous surprises along the way. At
this point, I can only say we are getting closer and hope to
have a tentative “Ready” date announced somewhat soon. We’ll
continue to work hard, continue to improve our program,
improve our aircraft, and help to keep two of our Greatest
Generation’s center pieces flying long into the future!
The Flyer
8
Dave Miller
B29/B24 Squadron
Crew Chief
Commemorative Air Force
330-398-2350 |
Ol’ 927 - February Maintenance Report
I’m sorry to say I have little to report on the progress of
the winter maintenance on the
B-24. We have very little volunteer involvement and it’s
because no one is there at the Cavanaugh hangar to oversee the
work needed. Ok, the good news!! The Squadron staff has
finally realized that in order to operate and maintain these 2
aircraft in different locations, we/I needed more help. After
months of lobbying, by Don O. and myself, they decided to hire
a long time friend of the Squadron and ace mechanic, Rick
Garvis, full time, to assist me in keeping these national
treasures in the air. Rick will be moving very soon to the
Dallas area, where he will take the lead in getting the B-24
ready for this summer’s tour schedule. After that, he will
come and help me in Midland with the B-29. I can assure you
that Rick will be a tremendous asset to the squadron, with a
wealth of knowledge and abilities. Please help me in welcoming
Rick to our team. More about Rick in the next Flyer!
Dave Miller,
Crew Chief
B-29/B-24 Squadron - 330-398-2350 - dmiller@cafhq.org |
Ol’ 927 - January Maintenance Report
Unfortunately, there is not much to report on progress of the
B-24. The winter maintenance on Ol’927 has been held captive
to several problems.
st, there has been no one to head up the scheduling of the
work day’s/night’s and be generally in charge as Mike Dillon
did so magnificently last season.
2nd, we didn’t get into the maintenance hangar till just a few
days ago, due to Cavanaugh’s needs for use of that hangar.
3rd, I have been unable to put time into her needs, due to the
fact that “FIFI” is on a very strict and aggressive time
table, for returning to service.
One person has stepped up in our last Squadron meeting to give
a helping hand for scheduling the work day’s/night’s. His name
is Bill Hickok, a relatively new member who has also by the
way, Sponsored the B-24!! I’m sure that Bill will do a fine
job, filling this role, and get the word out soon, to let you
know what’s going on at the Hangar. Contact Bill, check the
website and watch for further info.
Dave Miller,
Crew Chief
B-29/B-24 Squadron - 330-398-2350 - dmiller@cafhq.org |
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