Museums keep old stuff – right? But what do they do with all the stuff? Sometimes they restore antique items so that the younger generation can see what was in use in past generations. Sometimes there is a waiting list and old items that are stored look like scrap to the unitiated. But it just may be hidden treasure waiting to see the daylight again.
Our Museum is no exception. What if we received a request for information on a bush plane of the 1930s? What aircraft type and model? A Fairchild 82? Let’s check our records. Yes, we have a set of blueprints that cover the Fairchild models 51, 71 and 82. Do people even know any more how blueprints got their name? It is because they were BLUE prints! Like this;
A Fairchild blueprint dated Jan 16 1931 covering the Fairchild Model FC-2 and 71.
These precious prints will be used to restore one of these classic aircraft to original conditon.
A Fairchild 82B, CF-AXM, of MacKenzie Air Service in the Yukon.
And what if someone wanted to donate a small aircraft engine from the 1930s? Shoud it be retained for display – or go to the scrap merchant? So, the Franklin 4AC-150 is stored carefully so that, after restoration, it can go on display alongside it contemporaries, the Lycoming O-145 and the Continental A-65. These engines powered a generation of light aircraft in the 1940s that gave a boost to post-WW2 flying. Piper Cubs, Taylorcraft and Champion were household names in the pleasure flying world.
The Franklin 4AC-150 of the 1930s. Its 40 hp propelled many a Piper Cub into the air.
And speaking of Piper Cubs, what is happening with the Museum’s Cub? We are pleased to report that the restoration of the Cub has been progressing steadily over the winter. One wing has been restored and the second wing has its structure almost complete. Then just the covering and painting to go…
The Piper Cub wing is nearing completion.
For more about the Museum’s Piper Cub, see; Cub J3C-65
And what else is on the horizon? The Museum has a de Havilland Gipsy Moth in long-term storage and this is being assessed for return to flying condition. What needs to be done to make this happen? Actually, just about everything will need to be dismantled, examined, repaired, replaced, renewed or reconditioned. Get the picture? Old aircraft were typically made of wood with joints fixed with casein glue. This glue is long beyond its ‘best before’ date and is no longer structurally sound. Every joint needs to be carefully taken apart, examined and reglued with a modern adhesive.
The wooden structure of the elevators from the de Havilland Gipsy Moth.
For more about the Museum’s Gipsy Moth, see; DH 60 Gipsy Moth