Repairing the cockpit leaks.

Cockpit escape hatch first time open after winter.  Need to have the access to work on any top of the fuselage problems, as we don't have the use of access equipment.

A new seal required around opening.

Duct tape for winter proof, now removed.  Opening scraped and brushed down to removed flaking paint an tape residue.

Fuselage view from escape hatch/port.  The need for using this is obvious, inside the plane and don't have to borrow equipment.

Rudder work

Getting ready to remove cast linkage for rudder.

Broken sometime prior to move from Smithsonian.  Need to have it welded to the main portion in the repair hangar.

Ramp Down

First open of the Cargo Ramp.

Today we decided to bypass the hydraulics to finally open the ramp.  We placed the 5 ton chain fall and connected it to the ramp in 2 locations near the lip.

First light after a long wait.  Other than the slow operation of the chain fall all went smoothly.

Still going to leave the safety ropes up, though probably better to move back so we can move around.

Cylinders fully extended, no loss of fluid or seaping.

Not the ultimate solution, or prettiest, it works until we can get a better solution in place that's as safe.

Flowers and a different view

Random nose photos.

Such a presence, minus the finger in the shot...

Almost looks as though she's smiling now her nose is done.

Will try to place more flowers, need to start sprucing up the area for the start of guests arriving.  that and future surprises...

Cargo ramp hydraulics

Cargo Ramp hydraulic system.

Started work on the ramp system so that we can provide better access to impaired and disabled veterans.  Most of what is here we can safely bypass to lessen the complexity of the overall system.

Hoping to install a bypass auxiliary electric pump so this hand pump won't have to be our default method of door movement. 

An Ann Arbor visit in Geneseo

A visit from Ann Arbor, Michigan.  

David Draper, Commander of the Ann Arbor chapter of the American Legion Post #46, with his grandson Connor, in the cockpit of the C-130 Saigon Lady.  His wife Minnie also accompanied them.

David and Connor in the cargo area of Saigon Lady.  David spent much of his early service flying from Thailand with supplies for the combat areas of Vietnam.

David handing our Larry Jones the money he collected for raffle tickets in Ann Arbor.  As well he came with a check that matched the funds they had raised from a retired auto industry executive, Robert Lutz.  Many thanks for their contributions to the project.