A lot has been done since June. Here we go...
The Tailhook is painted and installed. Still waiting on the new up/down cable so it's safety wired right now. Most planes had a latch that simply droped the hook and had to be reset on the ground. This plane did not have the latch at the rear. It had a handle the pilot moved for being able to put it up or down. I also found the NAVY T.O. showing the parts for the hook installation.
The Canopies are done. Here are the original parts broken down for restoration. These are the SNJ-5 style canopy glass knockouts.
End result
Installed with new glass.
Polishing the canopy frames.
Installing new glass. The frames are taken apart and riveted back together.
The Horizontal is disassembled.
One of the horizontals ready for Etch, Alodine, primer and assembly.
Riveting has begun.
The Horizontal with a NEW skin.
Back together.
Sam is priming the rudder and replacement parts.
Paul has the fabric on and is prepping for dope and silver.
Tail surfaces installed.
The Tail attach area.
The removal of wing skins. The wings will undergo a process like the tail surfaces. They will be completely taken apart, inspected, replace parts as needed, everything etched, alodined, primed and then riveted back together.
Here is an entire wing taken apart. New Leading edges.
New exhaust is installed. All parts are NOS.
