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Question...

Posted by bdk on Wed Aug 21, 2002 02:15:42 PM

In reply top Re: UN and Pacific Recoverys posted by Mick on Wed Aug 21, 2002 05:17:54 AM

What exactly is heat aging (ageing)? I graduated with a bachelors degree in aerospace engineering, yet I have never heard this term as you apply it.

I have seen a few aircraft pulled from the jungle (TFC P-39), out of fresh water (a Wildcat and an SBD), and recovered from long term burial. I would say that the majority of the components were reusable on an airworthy aircraft.

I have seen photos of some seriously smashed wrecks that fall into the pattern category, but how many of those have actually completed restoration? Maybe some of the 109 or Zero projects fall into this category, but they are far simpler aircraft to manufacture than a P-38 or a P-47.

What is the danger you perceive from using old metal? Intergranular and surface corrosion are easily detectable at the component level. Corrosion can be polished or ground off and evaluated based upon the amount of material remaining. A certain amount of straightening is also possible.

: I have thought about it for a while and i can't see why an
: yone would bother to go to the trouble of pulling a wreck
: out of the islands.When there is so much of the stuff arou
: nd usualy under your verry noses.Anyone who uses original
: skins formers and ribs from such wrecks,you have to wonder
: after 60 years of heat ageing.The only things you would u
: se would be forgings and fittings as long as you are willi
: ng to bet your life on them.Most if not all of these resto
: s have twins,thats the original aircraft you used for pate
: rns and the one you built using it's identity.There is hea
: ps of new parts around all you have to do is shop around.I
: f you want a P40 ask for a kit from Keneth Hake and try an
: d borrow or buy one of the hundreds of pattern aircraft th
: at are around.We have a few patern aircraft and they are b
: orrowed.We can build heaps of them .The old here is a whee
: l nut and a photo build me an aircraft.

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