Window treatments...

Saigon Lady is leaking on from the windows on the starboard side.

Aluminum tape and paint around the windows had deteriorated over the last 40 years because of time and the elements.

Moisture on the inside is condensation for all the rain water coming in.

A look at some of the element damage.

More than likely culprit is the window that opens, the gasket has dried and flattened.

The sub-floor has be rotting away from all the moisture.

Khiem Pham and C-130 links

Trying to find and continually add links to other sites with reference info on the C-130 and the pilot Khiem Pham.

http://www.t28trojanfoundation.com/vnaf.html

Propellers relocated

Decided today was a good day to retrieve the prop crates from the side of the big hangar.  Except for the snow and the bitter cold it went well.

Used the forklift to transport, weighing roughly 1000 lbs. apiece.

Still in their packed in the original crates for the last 40+ years.

Made sure to position them under the wing tie-downs, at 1000 lbs. apiece they will work as an adequate anchor for the wings.

3 crates outside, the fourth is in the 1941 Hangar with the stabilizer and rudder.

Productive day, one step closer.

The Riddle of the Ravaged Rudder

Came to us in 3 parts.

1500+ rivets removed.

Too bad a new one costs $60,000 USD

Brightening the cargo area.

The camera tends to brighten all dark photos without an off feature to show true light levels.

Starting out.  Impossible to see what we are doing along the walls.

Adding a twin LED shop-light brings the center of the cargo area much needed visual help.

Later an LED spot was hung in the rear pointing to the cargo ramp, I will add that picture after I take one.  The lights make and amazing difference in working within the plane and worked out well during Khiem Pham's visit on April 3, 2020.

Finally able to wing walk...sort of

A view from my favorite place

Ray inspecting the joints and where we need to plug holes.

Such a nice day.

And a Panoramic.

Nothing wrong with a day away from the project...

Driving down 3489 Big Tree Lane Geneseo,NY

Driving down 3489 Big Tree Lane Geneseo, NY

Due to lack of volunteers I was asked to help with Whiskey 7, obviously I was overjoyed.  Topped off oil in #2, roughly 12 gallons.  Learned proper method to check fuel in all tanks and replaced a gasket under #1.  Had a lesson in the cockpit, learned what the Hamburger Hatch was and why that was its name.

Moving "Luck of the Irish" out of the hangar.

Positioning Whiskey 7 for first engine start of the year.

Whiskey 7 engine start pt 1

Whiskey 7 engine start pt 2

Started by watching a hot air balloon, then breakfast pizza and donuts.  Saw Donna for first time in a long time, and Paul stopped down to discuss other projects.  Then Big Hangar time on, in and around W7.  Engine runs.

Beautiful, happy day. 

Reunion...

Khiem Pham reunion with Saigon Lady

Today Khiem Pham, along with his wife, son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren arrived in Geneseo at the National Warplane Museum.  This marks the 45th year since he left South Vietnam for Singapore to escape from the oncoming wrath of the North Vietnamese for his participation against them in the Vietnam War.

It was exciting to have him see the progress that our museum has made in trying to honor him, the South Vietnamese and especially our American Vietnam Veterans.  Though the day was overcast and not as pleasant as his arrival in Singapore, it was wonderful having him walk through with his grandchildren.

He even provided us with a few stories about some of the moments that weren't flying "highlights", such as one of his hard landings in a C 130 while in Vietnam.

Thank you to our photographers, one being our own Bob Doyle, as well as Ray Ingram, Don Wilson, Scott Perkins, and of course Austin Wadsworth.  

Also like to thank separately the entire volunteer staff at the museum, without them Saigon Lady wouldn't have a nose, as well the patience/tolerance of the time taken by the crew repairing and rebuilding the stabilizer/rudder assembly.