Post contributed by Volunteer Project Manager Bob Reed.
After a two month sabbatical, 10 aviation volunteers were back to work Saturday, Nov. 19 with a productive day, accomplishing 41 man hours of work on the Potomac Pacemaker. The temperature in the Back Shop was in the low 50s when we started work at 9 a.m., and had risen to a balmy 58 degrees by the time we ended the day.
The activities got underway quickly with volunteers Andy Ray, Tim Howard, Martha Jackson and Matt Sprinkle working on the horizontal stabilizer. After help from a few others, the horizontal stabilizer was turned over so work could begin on the bottom surface. Tim and Andy removed the remaining deicer boot brackets while Matt and Martha worked on removing elevator control pulleys and brackets. Bill Compton helped also in removing non-essential metals and hardware.
Bob Johnson began removing aileron hinge hardware on the wings while Paul Dieffenderfer and Bill Behrendt continued work in the forward cargo compartment. Walt Ryerson was successful in removing the lavatory sink cabinet and then began work on the center wing section removing non-essential sheet metal. Matt also started re-covering the maintenance stand support brackets with new carpet materials. New fuselage supports had been constructed by Mike Stoker, the museum carpenter. They are now ready to be mounted on the appropriate maintenance stands. Mike’s excellent work on this project for the aviation group is sincerely appreciated.
While the other volunteers were busy with their work, I helped with advice where attention was needed and with inspecting the project in preparation for the next work day, set for Dec. 17 at 9 a.m.
From the Aviation Group to all, here’s wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving.
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