LOCKHEED PV-2D HARPOON 84062 COMES BACK
TO LIFE
Created 12/22/2011 and still under construction
Here is a thread on Warbird Information exchange on our Harpoon project from the start:
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=38160
We recently took on the challenge of resurrecting an old air
tanker that had been sitting since 1994. The land she was sitting on was sold
and if this old warbird/air tanker wasn't moved soon she would be cut up and
scrapped. I went to take a look at the Harpoon and as ugly as she was she still
looked beautiful to me, and to the guys that work for me here at Vintage
Aircraft.
Here is what we saw when we flew in to check out this old tanker
Just click on any image for a larger picture
She had sunk into the ground so far that she was resting on her belly tank.
Amazingly enough the tires held air and rolled her out of the rut she was in.
As you can see she was buried deeper than her axels. The
ground squirrels had undermined the wheels and this helped the old gal sink
further into her depression.
Thanks to a remote location at the Johnson Ranch she was pretty much unmolested by humans for the last 16 years.
She even had her original WWII Navy 8 day clock still in the updated instrument
panel. The clock is usually the first thing to disappear.
Even though she was essentially untouched by humans, she was a home to a variety
of other creatures. The oil coolers were a high rise condo to countless leaf
rollers. Leaf rollers are a flying insect that used parts of leaves to build
their nests in small openings. The opening of choice here was the small tubes
that make up the oil coolers.
There was also a family of ground squirrels living in the
right wing. It took a while to get them all out and we are still removing what
they left behind. The environment where the harpoon called home was mostly warm
and dry so even though there was surface rust on the steel fasteners there was
little corrosion.
We flew up in the Twin Beech to work on the Harpoon which was about 84 miles, as
the Beech flies, each way. The Twin Beech was great for this job as a sky truck
hauling all of us and our tools, parts, fuel and oil. We made about a dozen
trips in the Beech and only one in the van/trailer hauling the big wing jacks
for the gear swing.
Day one was spent on opening up the engines and checking to see what kind of
condition they were in. The oil screens were clean except for a little carbon.
So far so good. the left fuel system was in decent shape and the boost pump came
alive and pumped the new fuel into the left carb to start the soaking of the
diaphragms and seals. Later that day we were able to start the left engine. She
didn't fight us much at all. Here is a YouTube video of that first engine start:
http://www.youtube.com/user/twinbeechdotcom#p/u/3/5AtXwfX4qaA
Check out Ricky as he seems to be startled by the engine firing up! Too funny.
We needed a boost pump for the right fuel tank as water in the tank had rusted
the pump beyond repair. We replaced that pump and were able to run the right
engine on day two. So far so good.
Take a look at the bare aluminum fuel tubing and the hoses and
clamps that were also inside the fuel tank. They are in excellent condition as
was most of the rest of the aircraft.
Both engines ran okay but the right didn't like going much above 1600 RPM. Both
of the carbs were overhauled just before the Harpoon was flown to California in
1994 so overhauling the carbs was likely going to be mandatory and the corrosion
found in the right carb screen made the decision pretty easy. Off to Aero
Accessories they went. The fresh overhauled carbs sure looked pretty especially
next to the crusty looking engines.
New wheels, brakes, tires and tubes were found and built up. They also looked
awesome and worked even better. There were a few weeping seals on various
hydraulic components but for the most part the system was tight and help
pressure. The flaps worked flawlessly and silently which is a great contrast to
our PV-1 Super Ventura project.
With the new carbs, wheels and brakes it was time to drive her around and that
was a lot of fun. She sure kicked up some dust. One of our runs was done with
the leading edges between the fuselage and engines removed. While scooting down
the runway at a good clip all of the crap that was kicked up by the props went
wight in the open leading edges which ported right under the pilot and copilots
seat. While pulling 42 inches down the runway I was smiling from ear to ear and
spitting dirt and crud out of my mouth at the same time. Time to get the shop
vac out once again!
The power runs were great although we found a lot of carbon in the right oil
screen. We dumped the oil and installed an oil filter to catch any more carbon
that might be swimming around which worked as the screen was clean the next time
we checked it.
After prepping the rest of the airframe it was about time to fly the beast. I
had been working with our local FSDO (FAA Flight Standards District Office)
about getting a Letter of Authorization (LOA) so I could fly the PV-2 myself.
Since it is over 12,500 pounds gross weight (33,000 actually) it requires a type
rating which I don't have. There is a regulation in the FAR's that allows for an
LOA in lieu of a type rating for ferry, maintenance and flight training for
those who can demonstrate collateral experience that would allow for the safe
operation of the aircraft. I have a type rating in a B-25 only with limited time
in the DC-3, B-17, B-24 and some PV-2D time 20+ years ago in my friend Doug
Lacy's Harpoon. I think the 3500 hours in the Twin Beech is what helped the
most. After the Beech the Harpoon feels like a heavy, slower responding version
of about the same aircraft. I am looking forward to getting to know the Haproon
a lot better.
My local FSDO tossed my request around for two weeks and then decided that I
should talk to Sacramento FSDO as the aircraft was in their district. The SAC
folks were very nice and were familiar with our shop and work and were very
helpful and issued the LOA and a ferry permit. With the paperwork all in order
it was time to get her back in the air.
Here is a shot showing the dirt runway and the trees down each side especially
the right.
The hill up ahead and the fact that there are a lot of houses just off the end
of the runway necessitated a pretty good right turn just after the last tree on
the right. Here we are on the take off roll. Jim Dunn took this shot and the
other air to air and air to ground shots except for the ones Roger Cain took
with his credit line on the image.
Thanks guys for the cool photos, as usual.
Here is the right turn after the end of the runway. You can see the smoke from
the left engine which cleared up shortly after takeoff.
Some awesome photos taken by Roger and Jim from the Beech on the way to
Stockton, CA.
Here is a link to a YouTube Video of the first flight of 062 since 1994. I had
some cameras mounted on the airframe which gave some interesting views. The
video is a two part, long winded video but has some good shots:
http://www.youtube.com/user/twinbeechdotcom#p/u/0/ylrUX-IK0VI
Here is part two:
http://www.youtube.com/user/twinbeechdotcom#p/u/1/UxYWGxK5vmI
I am so proud of my crew at Vintage Aircraft. They are wonderful and this is
just the latest example of what they can do. I think there isn't anything they
can't do once we commit to it. Well done guys!
Here is a link to a Warbird Information Exchange forum post on this Harpoon project:
http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=38160
I also want to thank Cliff Everts and Marty Hall for their generosity and help
in saving this great old Harpoon
To go to a web page about 84062 (N6657D or Tanker 101) in her brief military career click here
To learn about this Harpoon's long life as an air tanker fighting forest fires click here
To check in on the ongoing restoration of PV-2D BuNo 84062 click here
TO ALL OF OUR COUNTRY'S VETERANS, WE HERE AT VINTAGE AIRCRAFT WOULD LIKE TO SAY:
THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DID FOR OUR COUNTRY!
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