#Aircraft Restoration

[nocternalrandomness]

CF-104D Starfighter arrival at Aalborg Airbase to participate in the Danish Air Show

[protetingplanes]

A Nearly Extinct Species

(Disclaimer: I am in no way connected to this group at all, I just support what they are doing and would love to see their goals realized) To all my fellow plane and/or history nerds, I am seeking help in the preservation of the Horten Ho 229 prototype in the Smithsonian, and not only that, but restoring her. So please, go and support them, and if you can't that's just fine. But if you can, please signal boost them, I don't want to see another species of plane go extinct, like the Antonov-225. Only three of these beautiful and baffling creatures where ever built, and now the last one is in EXESTANCE, her wings were ripped off and she has been neglected for years, siting, dismembered and rusting, in a dark room, dying alone and afraid. https://horten229.org

ps: If P.M. Seymour could help spread awareness and signal boost this charity, you don't even have to include me, just relay my message, I would be forever grateful, but if you don't I understand.

[jadeazora]

Some more Teraleak stuff. Red and Blue are confirmed to be 20yrs old in Alola!

Edit: could be referring to the 20th anniversary these games were celebrating rather than age.

Zygarde originally had 2 Forms "Forme X" (based on a wolf to hunt Xerneas) and "Forme Y" (based on a anti-aircraft weapon to hunt Yveltal) These forms were reworked, becoming Zygarde 10% & 100%

Zygarde in the XY follow-up surveils Xerneas/Yveltal, fighting them to restore the balance in a similar manner to Rayquaza with Kyogre and Groudon, and changes into the form most appropriate to fight them.

In SM, Sina and Dexio consider a certain Pokémon a threat to the ecosystem sending you and Zygarde to face it. The plot takes place in the Resolution Cave where you discover Zygarde came to Alola to defeat this Pokémon (In the finalized version there's Guzzlord.) Of note, there has been a conversation between James Turner and a fan talking about the resemblance between Guzzlord and Zygarde Complete with James having to avoid responding on the topic, so make of it what you will, I guess.

[sayruq]

Hello , I hope you’re doing well 🫶🏻

Me and my family need your help to survive from genocide in gaza,here our goFundMe link just read our story and help us if you can or just share it, we appreciated everything you would do.

https://gofund.me/38cab03b

Hello, I'm Khader Abu Sha'ban, and I'm 20 years old, I have a twin brother his name is Ragheb, and we are from Gaza City, We started the second year of our degree (designing and programming mobile applications). We live with a family of 9 members, they are all educated and have university degrees in the fields of engineering, programming, information security, administration, and law, We are the youngest in the family and we are the only ones who are still learning and we didn't end our degree yet.

Don't forget our beautiful cat - Kelwa – whom we consider a family member and we adopted him during the war when he was homeless in the street, however, he filled our lives with joy.

Before October 7th, Our life was full of goals, ambitions, and hope. and because we are identical twins I and my brother share everything in life and we have the same hobbies, actually we have the same life So we practice sports such as football, table tennis, and basketball and we are professionals in video games. we spend our time learning English next to our university education in the field where we found our passion which is Programming, and we have a small online store (Candles Store) to sell candles that we manually made. We have a goal to finish our university life as fast as we can to join the labor market of IT and open our startup company for techniques and applications with the great passion that we already have. this dream is growing day by day, but because of the war and the current circumstances, the dream started to fade, during the war educational institutions and Universities were destroyed in Gaza and the study was arrested. during the previous 8 months we have been unable to complete our education and estimates indicate that restoration of university status in Gaza will take time and may exceed years. The war came and destroyed our lives, our dreams, and our souls, My family did not decide to displacement to the south, despite all the suffering we had passed during this period and we decided to stay at home and not leave the beautiful memories, the idea of displacement to south and go to an unknown place that we don't have any relatives there was the most difficult for us to leave everything and not return back, so the decision was steadfast, non-displacement and patience on the suffering, but the war has been partially damaged our house because of targeting the house next to us, and damaged our beautiful memories and become ineffective to live, but thank God no one of my family has been hurt. The house went and we lost a lot of our beloveds (14 members of my cousins) and witnessed a lot of suffering in Gaza we were forced to internally-displacement east and west more than 5 times and it was very difficult to escape under the shelling at night and under The voices of aircraft and bombing and moving from a non-safe place to another non-safe place and don't forget the starvation that we still live in northern Gaza and dumping bombs, rockets and insecure until life became black for us. We won't forget the night of December 18th, when we lived the most terrifying night in our lives when we woke up at night to the voices of bombs and shells of nearby tanks and the glass and shrapnel on us, and I do not forget the voices of crying and the sounds of the SOS and we are unable to move even unable to breathe because of the hole of the smoke bombs that have thrown on us, I swear the horror of this night will accompany me to the last day My life. The horror of this night is repeated daily and there is no end and life has already black for us, after all this suffering we have reached a plan to rebuild the rest of our lives again elsewhere after we lost our house and members of my family as well as we lost the source income of my family this led us to seek help through this campaign, the raised funds will cover travel expenses for 9 people outside Gaza (where the travel coordination costing $ 5,000 per person) and $ 5,000 for addition costs for initial stability Abroad and $ 5000 initial amount to complete the study abroad for me and my brother. If the situation improves in Gaza we will use funds to restore our house and complete our education in Gaza or abroad, according to appropriate conditions.

These brothers have been raising funds since May and they've only received €678 so far. Please share and donate. Help save lives !!!!!!!

[rockyp77mk3]

Restored N3N training aircraft. Made at the Naval Aircraft Factory in Philadelphia, PA. Late 1930s-early 1940s.

[chattahoochiecoochie]

theres been a lot of sadness in recent days obviously, I've felt so deeply for appalachia, having called it home for so many years. there have been so many bright spots though and I thought it might be nice to highlight some of those.

a local man, and master operator, took his own set of master keys and commandeered several pieces of heavy equipment to begin shifting debris. stating to his wife he intends to work first, and ask for forgiveness later.

private pilots across the region are using personal aircraft to deliver supplies and move people out of unsafe areas.

mountain mule packer ranch have moved into rural areas and are bringing supplies in by mule to hard to reach places

the nolichucky dam held. taking on an estimated 1.3 million gallons of water per second at the height of the storm, the dam survived the storm and remains under emergency monitoring.

the wnc nature center has reported that their animals are safe and accounted for.

more than 700 canadian linemen have been deployed to assist north and south carolina to restore power.

the unites states national guard has deployed over 5500 service members from 11 states to support areas affect by helene.

the north carolina national guard has activated five hundred service members and allowed over 200 vehicles and aircraft to move into the western region to begin relief efforts.

search and rescue teams from around the country are making their way east to assist in rescue and recovery.

neighbors are helping neighbors. a woman has been able to make contact, and while doing so has taken it upon herself to catalogue the names of surviving locals in several areas, easing the efforts of local officials as they try to conduct wellness reports.

in cashiers, north carolina, a group of locals have taken their personal off road vehicles in the mountains to excavate debris and deliver supplies to those in need.

people in the south take care of their own. for generations, these communities have stuck by one another and bonded through good fortune and hardship alike. there is light at the end of this hideously long tunnel.

[acesentialsketches]

Can't have a band of heroes without a band of villains to oppose them!

Stationed in the mountains overlooking Keystone village, the Keystone Mountain Eggman Base deploys aircraft and badniks far above the reach of the RATs. Stationed up there is Ebony the hare and her team, ready to put the upstart RATs in their place.

There are about two other characters we have planned for this team, but haven't quite finalized any designs on. Will update this with a reblog in the future once we do.

RATs logo design by ZorelTheAzure.

The Restoration Auxiliary Team is a Sonic IDW AU by myself and @mynders-universe.

[wheelsgoroundincircles]

1958 Packard Hawk Sport Coupé

The interior was full leather, with full instrumentation in an engine-turned dash. As on early aircraft and custom boats, padded armrests were mounted outside the windows, a rare touch.

The styling was definitely controversial, often described as 'vacuum-cleaner' or 'catfish' by detractors. The styling has come to be appreciated more today than in its debut. Only 588 were sold, with Packard's impending demise a likely contributing factor. Most were equipped with the Borg-Warner three-speed automatic transmission. Approximately 28 were produced with the B-W T85 3-speed w/overdrive manual transmission. Studebaker-Packard was the first manufacturer to popularize the limited slip differential, which they termed Twin-Traction. Most Packard Hawks came with TT. It was certainly the fastest Packard ever sold, since it shared the majority of its components with Studebaker's Golden Hawk. The price was $3995, about $700 higher than the Studebaker model, but with a more luxurious interior. Electric window-lifts and power seats were optional extras.

Its rarity and status as the best-regarded of the 'Packardbaker' final-year cars have made the Packard Hawk quite collectible. Values are roughly double those of the equivalent Studebaker, although they are still low by comparison with Corvettes and Thunderbirds. Because a Studebaker drivetrain was used, mechanical parts are more readily available, although body and trim parts are more difficult-to-impossible to find. While it is a unique car, current restoration costs almost always exceed the selling price.

[monkeyssalad-blog]

F4F-3 Grumman Wildcat N12260 US Navy BuNo 12260 NX12260 by Chris Murkin Via Flickr: F4F-3 Grumman Wildcat N12260 US Navy BuNo 12260 NX12260 This aircraft crashed in may 1944 off USS Wolverine on Lake Michigan it was not until December 1991 that it was recovered from the river to be restored to an airworthy condition, it made it first flight after being restored on the 18th July 1994 Photo taken at EAA Airventure Wittman Regional Airport Oshkosh Wisconsin USA July 2022 BAI_8789

[milesdickpic]

Bradley's First 'Official' Father's Day | Bradley Bradshaw x Reader/Fam

Click here to see the master list

Can be read in conjunction with HLG or alone 🥹

A/n: It's Bradley's first Father's day and he doesn't even know it yet! How will it unfold? 🫣🥰

Word Count: 2.1k (although you babes deserve a whole lot more for having to wait 10 years for me to post again 😵‍💫)

Warnings: crying, cursing, but so much wholesome love ❤️

Please don't take my work, I will find you. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(Picture from Pinterest)

You, Mav, and Bradley were cleaning up the kitchen from dinner. Mav was drying the dishes as you handed them to him after washing them. Bradley was restoring the leftovers and placed them into the refrigerator.

Mav cleared his throat, “So Brad. Are you doing anything special for tomorrow?” He looked up at him and smiled as he dried one of the plates in his hand. 

Bradley smiled and looked at him awkwardly. “Work? Is that special enough, Mav?” He chuckled and shook his head.

Mav opened his mouth to talk again and you gave him wide eyes and shook your head. You wanted to keep it a surprise. You placed your finger to your lips to signal Mav to keep his mouth shut. Mav raised his brows and gave you a nod and a thumbs up.

“What do you all have planned at work tomorrow?” Mav carried the conversation with Bradley as he continued to put the plates away.

Bradley closed the refrigerator door and turned around. He crossed his arms and leaned back against the refrigerator’s door. He sighed, “You know, I think tomorrow is just an inspection day for the junior officers. So we will be going, or I will be checking out everyone's aircraft with maintenance teams to make sure they are up to par.” Bradley looked down and pressed his lips together. “So boring stuff.” He started to laugh. 

Mav made his way over to Bradley and patted him on the shoulder. “Welcome to the senior officer life, Brad.” Bradley shook his head at Mav and rolled his eyes while he pushed Mav’s chest playfully. 

You turned off the water to the sink and turned to the both of them. Bradley smiled and walked over to you. He had his hands out and placed them on your belly. “How about the four of you? What do you, Leia Rey, and the boys have planned?” He kissed your cheek and rubbed over your stomach. 

You scoffed, “Me, the boys, and Leia Rey have a couple of errands to run tomorrow.” You smiled and pinched Bradley’s cheek softly. He shook his head against your hand.

“Please have Papa Mav come with you. I don’t want you to do any bending over, heavy lifting, anything like that.” He raised his brows at you waiting for your answer. 

You smiled and nodded, “Of course.” 

Bradley placed a kiss on your forehead, “Thank you, sweetheart. I’m going to go to bed now. I have to be up early for work. I love you, baby. Good night.” He placed a kiss on your lips and two on your belly. “Good night, boys. Daddy loves you.”

Bradley walked over to Mav and gave him a hug good night. “Night, Mav. Thank you for helping out my girl tomorrow.”

Mav patted Bradley’s back. “Even if she wasn’t heavily pregnant I would help her.” He started to chuckle. Bradley pulled back from the hug and kissed Mav’s cheek hard. “Aww, Bradley!” Mav pulled back laughing at Bradley’s kiss. Bradley laughed and patted Mav’s chest and then ducked down to kiss his belly too.

Bradley slapped Mav's full stomach hard. “Night, food baby!” 

Mav started to laugh and pushed Bradley off of him. “Good night, Rooster.” He said with wide eyes and nodding his head. 

Bradley laughed and jogged up the stairs, “Night!”

Mav came over to you and smiled, “So what are we getting for Bradley’s first Father’s Day?” He raised his brows. 

You smiled and gave him a devious look, “It’s going to be cute and obnoxious.”

Mav hummed and nodded his head, “Like him. I like it.” 

————-

Bradley’s POV

I was at work finishing up the last couple of inspections for the day. I was so tired and ready to head home and relax. I had been out on the tarmac in the hot and humid weather for the whole 12 hours. I felt like my feet were burning up in my boots. They were ready to melt into the hot asphalt.

“Lieutenant Commander Bradshaw.” 

I turned as one of my junior lieutenants, Riot, was coming up to me as I inspected his plane. He stuck his hand out to me and smiled. I grabbed his hand and shook it. “Sir.”

I smiled, “Riot, are you here to distract me from inspection?” I started to laugh. 

He shook his head and chuckled. “No, sir. I just wanted to wish you a Happy Father’s Day before I headed out.” I stopped the inspection and furrowed my brows before I turned to him slowly. “Leia and the boys are lucky to have a dad like you, sir.” He gave me another smile. 

I raised my brows. Holy shit today was Father’s Day? I gave him a smirk and patted his back, “Thank you, Riot. I truly appreciate that. Happy Father’s Day to you as well.” I bumped his fist and he was off. I slowly turned back to his aircraft and finished the check. “Huh, Father’s Day… No wonder Mav asked if I had anything special for today.” I chuckled and met back up with the maintenance team to give them the last bit of paperwork. 

————

Your POV

You, Leia, and Mav were setting up all of Bradley’s gifts for his first official Father’s Day. 

“Momma! Where should I put these balloons for Daddy?” She was holding a big bouquet of balloons in her hands. If she were outside you were more than positive she would be taken away with all the balloons. She looked at you with her eyes wide, excited, and smiling.

“You can set them up over there so when he walks in he can see them right away.” You pointed in the direction of the open space by the doorway. 

Leia ran over with the balloons and set them up for her dad’s arrival. You and Mav were finishing up some final touches. Mav looked at the time. “1530. He will be home in 30 minutes. Phoenix and Hangman just texted me that they are all on their way back.” 

You let out a little scream as you continued to set up his gift. “OH MY GOSH!” You started to laugh. 

————

Bradley’s POV

I just pulled into the driveway with Phoenix and Hangman. I hopped out of the car and they both came out of Hangman’s car. 

“Happy Father’s Day, Rooster.” Hangman smirked at me as he slapped my back hard. 

I let out a cough as the air was forced out of me from his slap. I chuckled, then threw my arm around his neck and pulled him down in a headlock. “Thanks, Seresin.”

Phoenix came over and wrapped her arm around me. “Happy first official Father’s Day, Bradshaw.” She patted my stomach as I wrapped my arm around her shoulders. “Thanks, Trace.”

Hangman stood up and unlocked the door for the three of us. When the door opened we were all greeted by you, Mav, and Leia. 

Leia came running to me and jumped into my arms. “Happy Father’s Day, Daddy!” She covered me in kisses as you made your way over with Mav. You both had your arms out and came over to hug me. You and Mac sandwiched kissed my face as I laughed. 

You rubbed your thumb on my cheek and smiled. “Happy Father’s Day, Bradley.” I kissed your forehead and winked at you.

“Thank you, Sweetheart.” I let Leia down and she pulled me into the other living area. My eyes widened as I saw all the decorations set up for me. “Holy shit, is this all for me?” I chuckled as Leia pulled me over to the table.

“Yes, Daddy! It’s all for you! Momma, Brothers, and Papa Mav helped me set up everything! Do you like it?” She looked up at me with a big smile plastered across her face. 

I picked her up and kissed her cheek. “I love it, my little Leia. Thank you.” 

~~~~~

After we all ate dinner, Leia came over and gave me a gift. “Open it, Daddy.” She nudged me and nodded. I smiled and placed my water on the side of the couch. I sat up straight and she sat right next to me. “Papa Mav helped me make it.”

I shook the little box and Leia scoffed. I chuckled and patted her head. I unwrapped the little box and opened the lid. Inside was a silver heart with the letters “L.L.B” engraved on it. “Aww, babe, this is so nice! Thank you. A heart with yours and your brother’s initials.” 

“Wait! Turn it over! There is more!” She grabbed it from my hand and flipped it over. “Read it!” 

I read the little words out loud. “Fly safe. Love daddy’s co-pilots.” I smiled and kissed Leia’s temple. “I love it, sweetheart. I’ll keep it with me at all times.” Everyone looked around at each other and started to coo at the cute note. 

“I have one more gift for you, Brad.” Mav stood up slowly and smiled.

I shook my head. “Oh no, Mav, please. You didn’t have to get me anything. Being here is enough.” He waved me off as he walked over to the storage closet. I looked at everyone with wide eyes. 

Mav came over with a big long box. I looked at him carrying the box that was nearly as big as him. “Holy shit. Mav… What the hell is that?” I stood up and went to grab it from him. He started to chuckle. I looked at the box with big eyes. “Mav. Christ.”

He laughed and patted my back. “Something I’ve been saving for you. I hope you love it.”

I opened the lid of the box and pulled out the wooden casing. I started to chuckle. “Awww! No way! Thank you, Mav!” I held up the casing and saw my old retired LT. Bradshaw whites in the casing. “This is freaking Sweet!”

Mav chuckled. “Brad.” I looked over at him with my brows raised. “Read the name tag again.” I furrowed my brows and looked closer at the tag.

“N. Bradshaw.” I looked up at him slowly. “These are my dad’s?” He nodded slowly and smiled. I opened the case’s door and rubbed my thumb over the medals. I started to tear up. “Wow. This is even better.” I sniffled. “Thanks, Mav.”

He let out a little chuckle and came over to me. He kissed the top of my head and gave it a pat. “I love you, Brad. Happy Father’s Day, Kiddo.”

Hangman stood up and grabbed a bag out from behind him. “Well, there is no way Phoenix and I can give our gifts now. That was like the best gift ever after, Vapor girl’s gift.” We all laughed as he handed a bag to Mav and Phoenix handed the other bag to me. 

Mav looked at the bag shocked. “Wait!? For me!?” He was wide-eyed and excited. 

Hangman laughed and nodded. “From all of us, Mav. Happy Father’s Day.” He patted him on the back. 

Mav looked at everyone with a Smirk as he ripped the tissue paper out from the bag. He pulled out a shirt and read it to himself. “OH MY GOD! I LOVE IT!” He was laughing hysterically as he turned it around. “You can’t tell me what to do. You are not my granddaughter!” He could barely catch his breath as he said what the shirt said. 

“There’s more!” Leia yelled over to Mav. Mav threw the shirt on over his and looked in the bag for the next gift. He pulled out a frame and smiled as he read what was in it. He turned it around, “Best papa in the galaxy.” He looked at it and smiled even bigger. “I’m putting this in my workspace when I get home. Thank you everyone!” He went around and gave everyone hugs and kisses as I opened my bag.

Inside was a frame that read, “I am their father.” And under was a pink lightsaber with Leia’s name on it, A blue one with little Bradley’s name on it, and a Green one for Luke.  “This is Perfect. Holy shit!”

I turned it around and showed it off. “Thank you everyone!” I went around and gave my hugs and kisses to everyone. 

~~~~~~

At the end of the night, you and I were lying in bed. You were cuddled on my chest as I played with your hair. “Thank you, baby.”

You looked up at me and smiled. “For what?”

I smiled and rubbed your cheek. “For giving me the best gift of them all.” You furrowed your brows and pulled your head back to look at me. You tilted your head to the side and squinted your eyes. I kissed your nose and smiled. “For making me a father.” 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi, my loves! (It's been a minute, huh Mav?) I am so sorry for being MIA for a long time. But I will try to be more active because I really miss being here and interacting with you all. Thank you for being here and reading. a special thanks to everyone who has stuck around this long with me and my stories. I value you all so much. Thank you for still being here with me. I love you all so much! I will see you all in the next one! (HLG POST 🫣)

My day ones are in the comments 🫶🏼

[nocternalrandomness]

The Historic Aircraft Company's airworthy restored 1917 Airco DH.9 parked at IWM Duxford

[pinturas-sgm-aviacion]

1942 06 04 Midway - Attack against Yorktown - Howard Gerrard

this was a bitch to correct the color due to the vagaries of reproduction and printing

Hiryu's second strike of June 4 against the American carrier force was mounted by the Carrier Attack Unit under Lieutenant Tomonaga. When this strike force first sighted the Americans at 1430hrs, they did not realize that they were examining the previously damaged Yorktown. Damage-control crewmen aboard the American carrier had extinguished the fires and restored speed to 19 knots after the damage inflicted by Hiryu's carrier bombers. Tomonaga decided to conduct an immediate attack on the apparently undamaged carrier. He divided his ten carrier attack aircraft into two groups: one, under Tomonaga himself, was to attack the carrier from her port quarter while the other group swept to the north to attack the ship from its starboard bow. Tomonaga's group began a gentle dive to gain air speed. Still over 10 miles from the American carrier, Tomonaga's wingman was shot down by Wildcats. His four remaining aircraft continued to close their target and noticed that the carrier had changed course to the southeast to put its stern onto the Japanese aircraft. Unknown to Tomonaga, the ship was also turning into the wind to launch ten Wildcat fighters on deck. In response, Tomonaga divided his small force to gain a better attack angle. Two aircraft were ordered to move left to attack the ship from its port side as Tomonaga and one other carrier attack aircraft closed the ship from its starboard quarter. The first of the fighters off Yorktown's deck was piloted by Lieutenant Commander Thach. He immediately headed for Tomonaga's aircraft, quickly engaged it, and set it on fire. Tomonaga's skill as a pilot allowed him to hold his burning aircraft level until he executed a good drop of his torpedo. However, this missed and Tomonaga crashed astern of Yorktown. His sacrifice was not in vain, however, as the attack of Tomonaga's group set up the attack of the second group of five carrier attack aircraft perfectly. This group scored two torpedo hits which ultimately led to Yorktown's loss.

[lonestarbattleship]

July 10, 2024 Update from the Battleship Texas Foundation

"BATTLESHIP TEXAS UPDATE

Battleship Texas in Galveston, Texas, undergoing repairs.

The ship is currently moored at Pier D in Gulf Copper Shipyard where it will continue to undergo repairs and preparations to become a museum ship once again.

Navy Blue 5-N has been applied to the forward sections of the ship.

STEEL DECK REPAIRS: The ship’s steel deck has been sandblasted and primed while repairs are ongoing.

Looking down on the bow of Battleship Texas. Steel deck repairs are ongoing while workers prepare the area for a new pine deck.

Comparison of Navy Blue 5-N (top) and Deck Blue 20-B (bottom). The ship's pine deck will be painted Deck Blue 20-B.

The ship is being painted Navy Blue 5-N.

PINE DECK REPAIRS: Workers have already begun fitting the margin planks to the ship’s deck. These planks are cut to length, fitted to the area of the deck they are going, and primed.

New deck studs (for holding the deck planking down) is being installed on the ship's bow.

A fresh coat of Navy Blue 5-N has been applied around the ship's superstructure deck and signal bridge.

Pictured is the Signal Records Room.

Pictured is the Navigation Office.

For more history on the deck of Battleship Texas visit: link

MAIN MAST: The ship's main mast continues to be blasted and primed following repairs. The radar top mast, along with its SG and SK, will be reinstalled.

The ship's main mast is being sandblasted and primed before a coat of Navy Blue 5-N is applied.

IFF antennas await installation on both the fore and main masts.

The ship's main mast is being sandblasted and primed before a coat of Navy Blue 5-N is applied.

The ship's main mast is being sandblasted and primed before a coat of Navy Blue 5-N is applied.

BARREL STORAGE TUBES: Storage tubes that once held spare barrels for the ship’s 20mm anti-aircraft guns have been fabricated and reinstalled. Not every tube will be installed at this time, but it is one more step to presenting the ship in its 1945 appearance.

FLOATER NET BASKETS: Several floater net baskets have been added in a few areas aboard. These baskets held nets which were designed to free float if a ship were to sink and provide sailors something to hold on to until they were rescued.

Antenna mounts have been fabricated and installed. Small details like these help bring the ship back into its 1945 appearance.

Ladders are being installed into the correct positions on a clipping room. Small details like these help bring the ship back into its 1945 appearance.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

July 20, 2024 - Join us for a ceremony to welcome the return of the Battleship Texas steel that was flown over France during the 80th Anniversary of D-Day! The Battleship Texas Foundation would like to welcome you to join us on this special occasion. For more information visit: battleshiptexas.org/return-ceremony

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

WHAT’S NEXT? - Battleship Texas will remain at Gulf Copper Shipyard while the ship’s new home in Galveston, Texas, is prepared. Additional steel work, replacement of the ship’s deck, further restoration, and painting will be done during this time.

Structural repairs are being made to the ship's cranes.

Brackets are installed which will hold the ship's siren and whistle. Both will be made to work again.

Workers lift parts of the ship's siren for a test fit of the newly installed brackets.

The ship's siren is being fitted to the smokestack.

TOURING? - The Battleship Texas Foundation will be offering touring options while the ship is in the shipyard. Participants will be able to view ongoing work and restoration or learn all about how the ship operated during its service career. An announcement will be made once touring options become available.

Looking forward from underneath the main mast aboard Battleship Texas.

REOPENING? - There is a lot to be done before the ship is ready for touring at its new home in Galveston, Texas. Reopening is projected to happen in the later half of 2025.

MISSING GUNS? - The ship's anti-aircraft guns are currently undergoing restoration. The guns and gun directors will be replaced once their restoration is complete.

Come on Texas!

To donate to the preservation and operation of Battleship Texas, please visit: battleshiptexas.org/

Support Battleship Texas by making a purchase through the ship's store: https://store.battleshiptexas.org"

Posted on the Battleship Texas Foundation Facebook page: link

[cazzyf1]

Wolfgang von Trips teenage opinion on WW2

When I read over his diaries a few months ago one entry that stuck out to me was one where he went to see a war film in the cinema and then wrote down his feelings on what had happened in the war, his feelings about Germany, and his feelings about the army. I found it interesting because I had never read a German's perspective on it before and it was a unique read. So when rereading his diary I decided when I came to this entry I'd write it up and publish it for anyone else curious about what his teenage opinions were.

Reminder that this was written when Wolfgang von Trips was in prime teenage angst and still struggled to understand and cope with the effects of growing up in the war and almost dying a few times. As he got older he was determined to try and restore Germany's good reputation, especially with cars and was good friends with very patriotic Brits.

(Translated from German to English via a translator)

October 14, 1947, Tuesday

I haven't been OK for days. I had a very bad cold, it's better now, but I still have a lot of pressure above my left eye. I'm worried about inflammation in my sinus. I want to do some serious inhalation. Maybe it will clear up after all.

I was just at the cinema. English film, typically English. They showed the victory celebration. It makes you feel awfully different when you see how our defeat is celebrated. How we fought and yet we were ruined. The film and everything else took me back to a time a few years ago when we were (at least from my point of view) a people who stuck together, were honest and fought, when as a boy I was enthusiastic about everything and proud when our planes came, saw nothing bad in anything. During the war I didn't see anything bad about the war itself either. (Today I have a different opinion.) But I was still capable of enthusiasm and when one day, after a long time spent at the school camp, I saw German tanks and planes in the newsreel for the first time, I cried with excitement or pride. It was an indefinable feeling. And now it's all over. Forever. Never, never again will we carry weapons, soldiers.

Everything is bad, mean and vile, what was previously an ideal and a model. Never again will I be able to freely and truly choose. I know today, and I fully understand, that one can what used to be my highest ideal was actually not quite right. But I still mourn all of it because it will never come back and there is no replacement for it. And when I compare my thoughts from back then with those of today, ideals, goals, plans, I can't describe it like that.

I still remember exactly how, during the Jabo era, I once thought to myself: I can still picture the moment - what do you do when no more bombs are falling, no more Jabos are coming, and no more anti-aircraft guns are firing?

I thought that I must be missing something that was almost vital to my life, so it had all become my world. Today I realise that this is really something that can be rejected with normal common sense, not wrongly influenced by time, and knows it too. But the fact that I have directed all my childish and youthful - certainly not small - enthusiasm towards something that is now over forever makes me very sad. How well could something else have taken its place? something of lasting value, art, music, or for that matter, something technical. Then I wouldn't feel like I'm in such a topsy-turvy world today. I see it in other boys. For them, it doesn't mean as much as it does for me. They just didn't rely on it like I did and it was just a side issue, annoying side effect for them. Unfortunately, I'm a bit stuck now, I keep looking from one thing to the other, I just can't settle down anywhere. The contradictions in which I live and those around me are too great. I don't really know where I belong, I'm also missing the right friend, I'm missing Rudolf von Marsewsky.

It's all rubbish, damn it! The time is over, all the ideals destroyed, but if I'm honest with myself, my pure reason tells me that everything was just right, war, violence and power and so on.

I see it very differently today, but deep down I say it was beautiful and powerful and definitely better than this filth today. It's a shame that I can't really express my thoughts so that I can record them for later. Because I'm sure I'll change somehow and it'll be interesting to see what it would be like now if I still had something like that from the war or before. But I have it a little different in my head than I can express it here.

Sometimes, like now, I remember the past. Then the whole time comes back to me and I start to compare and a train of thought arises like this one. (Usually it is a conversation, a film or something else that triggers it.) And when I think about freedom, about my real life as a boy, with shooting, riding, hunting, also Hitler Youth service and military training in the mountains, our conversations and thoughts at the time and the feeling I had when I thought about the Air Force and my future, and now I think about the fact that this kind of feeling of happiness can never arise in me again because there simply can't be any reason for it anymore, then I could cry.

I haven't been aware of all this for a long time. Simply because I haven't thought about it that much. Writing it all down is partly a mental aid. It helps me get deeper into something than if I just think about it.

I was just counting the pages and had to laugh at myself. I could spend hours pondering about some of the things that usually bother me. But I want to stop for today, maybe tomorrow or soon if I get into a strange mood again (it's just the film's fault).

[usafphantom2]

MAAM P-61 Nose Art – Introducing “Moonbeam Dream”

Moreno Aguiari

After 79 years, the P-61 now has it’s own unique identity. Photo by Nick Chismar

Aircorps Art Dec 2019

By Nick Chismar

Just over a month ago, in June 2024, the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum (MAAM) unveiled a brand-new paint job on their Northrop P-61B Black Widow, USAAF #42-39445. The massive fighter sat proudly, fully covered in gloss black paint, as visitors from around the country stopped to take photos during the museum’s 33rd Annual World War II Weekend. Just recently, during the museum’s members’ day picnic on July 20th, there was another unveiling to do. After 79 years, their P-61 has its own identity and nose art; Moonbeam Deam.

MAAM P 61 Nose Art – Introducing Moonbeam Dream82539 copy scaled

Work was well underway just two weeks before the member’s day event. Tucked inside the main hangar, Hummelstown, Pennsylvania artist Jennifer “Hot Rod Jen” Thomas was steadying her hand against the side of the P-61. Jen’s interest in warbirds began with family ties as both her uncle and grandfather had flown Stearmans and worked alongside her father on the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation’s C-54 Spirit of Freedom. While Jen is well known for her automotive pinstriping, the P-61 is not her first piece of aviation nose art.

MAAM P 61 Nose Art – Introducing Moonbeam Dream80147 copy scaled

Recently, Jen painted the nose art on the Wings of War’s Cessna T-50 Bobcat, known as Bamboo Betty, which made its this year’s WWII Weekend. Not long after completing the gT-50’s nose art, a photographer suggested she contact MAAM President Russ Strine. It wouldn’t be until this year’s WWII Weekend that she could pass a card along, but it wasn’t long after that she was in contact with Russ, and things kicked off from there.

As Jen would tell me, there are some times when clients may not know exactly what they want, but not in this case. Having nose art on the P-61 has long been something Russ wanted to do. Since the aircraft had crashed only four days into its career, the crew never had the opportunity to properly name their aircraft. So, Russ set out to find something that he felt fit the project. Selecting from a book of Vargas pin-up girls, Russ looked for one that wasn’t too risqué or similar to that on their B-25 Briefing Time. The moon and stars were selected to symbolize how the P-61 fought in the night sky. He then chose the name Moonbeam Baby and added a full-size cutout to the aircraft which many visitors may recall seeing over past years. This name, however, was only intended to be a placeholder for inspiration.

The name Moonbeam Baby never really sat well with Russ, and after some time he decided to change the name to Moonbeam Dream. As he would tell me, “I was never really comfortable with the name ‘baby’, and I thought about it. I thought that the P-61 was a dream of ours, not only in acquiring it but restoring it to flying condition.” With the nose art already selected by Russ, Jen went to work.

MAAM P 61 Nose Art – Introducing Moonbeam Dream82547 copy scaled

With the full-size cut-out at home, Jen began by making tracings of the artwork and letters. Patterns and an electro pounce were made of the letters while the surface was thoroughly cleaned to begin painting. The image of the girl was first hung and then transferred using Saral paper for the outline and to be blocked in white to make it easier for skin tones to be painted. Using urethane and sign painting enamel paints Jen began the process of painting the nose art. Jen would use the Axalta urethane paint for the lettering and to block in the white and yellow on the pinup as well as for the moon. As a more aggressive paint, it bites into the black paint of the fuselage offering a sturdy base. For the rest, Jen would use 1-Shot lettering enamel to complete the nose art on the aircraft. Working from roughly 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and with an immense amount of skill and a steady hand, the nose art would slowly go on over the course of three days.

When member’s day came around and the first visitors rounded the tail of the museum’s replica D3A “Val” there was a sense of awe as they spotted the nose art. Comments could be heard about the level of detail and simply how impressive it was. As visitors continued and made their way to the other side of the P-61 they immediately took note of the emblem of the 550th Night Fighter Squadron, painted completely by freehand on the aircraft. Painted to the emblem’s left however were three names. Beneath the cockpit could be seen the name “Annie” in honor of Russ’ late mother, painted in bright red. Below that and in a more subtle blue was the image of the iconic “Kilroy” with the words “Pappy was here. Brenda too.” A tribute to Russ’ late father Eugene and Brenda Saylor, both of whom had spent countless hours to make their shared dream, a reality.

After 79 years, the P-61 now has its own unique identity. For Jen, this would be a special moment. After moving to Allentown years ago, friends soon told her about World War II Weekend. Jen said, “2006 was the first year I came here and I was hooked ever since. …coming here for years and the amount of work that is going into this aircraft is amazing. I’ve seen it when it was just barely anything and I loved the story, and I’m just blown away to be a part of it…it feels like a dream.” As Russ would tell me, “We needed to give the airplane our own identity, and this nose art, I think, accomplishes that.” With the names of the pilot Logan Southfield and radio operator Ben Goldstein who had been onboard during the fateful crash, the nose art is the final piece of the aircraft’s identity.

Special thanks to the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum and Jennifer Thomas for allowing me to photograph the process of painting the nose art. Thank you to Russ Strine and Jennifer for taking the time to talk about their process in this latest part of the restoration.

MAAM P 61 Nose Art – Introducing Moonbeam Dream82554 copy scaled It has been a few years since we last reported on restoration progress with the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum‘s Northrop P-61B Black Widow #42-39445. As most of you will remember, a team from the museum recovered the aircraft from the side of Mount Cyclops in Hollandia, New Guinea during the late 1980s. They have made great strides in their effort to rebuild the WWII night fighter to airworthy condition, and we thought you would like to hear (and see) some of the work that has been going on with the Widow of late. Below are our two latest report.

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Moreno-Aguiari

Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.

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