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Re: Bob Diemert's P-40

Posted by bdk on Mon Mar 04, 2002 02:54:55 PM

In reply top Bob Diemert's P-40 posted by Cees Broere on Mon Mar 04, 2002 03:49:11 AM

This aircraft had been put up for sale in an auction at the Santa Monica Museum of Flying years ago. I think that Diemert had cobbled up a Lancaster Merlin, prop, and spinner onto the plane, hence the unusual spinner.

Was this the Canadian Defender TV special that showed the rebuild of the CAF's Zero? That aircraft is still being rebuilt to repair Diemert's poor craftsmanship, as is the Val at the Planes of Fame Museum in Chino. The Val in Chino was found to have a piece of home electrical conduit spliced in as an elevator pushrod. You could tell when it was removed because you could see the backside where it wasn't painted and the ink stamp clearly identified the origin of the tube. All the wing fittings needed to be remade due to severe corrosion, yet Diemert flew the airplane this way. It takes all kinds!

I don't usually like to say anything bad about anyone, but I don't want to see anyone killed due to unsafe workmanship. All you need to do is look at his "Defender"... "It was a good idea, it just didn't work!" (my favorite quote from the program). Yes, his engineering skills match his workmanship!

I don't think that the Canadian authorities will give him a permit to fly any more of his creations.

: Hi all,
:
: Watching a program on Discovery Channel yesterday there wa
: s also some footage about Bob Diemert and his Defender low
: budget fighter. In the same item he was shown taxiing a P
: -40 with a very non-standard spinner and cowling. Does he
: still own it and is it airworthy?
:
: He has also been involved with Hurricanes, Zero's and Val'
: s in the past. Is he still active in the warbirds scene?
:
: Cees

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