My friend Bob was nice enough to invite me to wipe oil and gather tools in support of doing run checks for his 1945 Grumman TBM-3 Avenger. Oh yeah, too cool!
I got there around 1030 and the prop turns were underway. I passed up a couple gallons of lubrication oil to the assistant mechanic and generally made myself sort of useful. It was a great feeling to be back in a Navy Hangar doing flight line type of stuff, just like 30 years ago.
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| Turns complete, oily mess has leaked on the deck. |
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| Gun Turret needs a seat with a crewman! |
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| I passed oil and gathered empties |
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| Just two car batteries to keep the electrical system working. |
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| Oil everywhere! |
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| Radial Engine. The Harley of the skies. |
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| Navy Tow Tractor |
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| Everybody stopped work to watch a piece of aviation history in motion. |
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| The Owner is getting tired of waiting... |
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| Finally on the Flightline! |
What a great day. It was like being 19 years old, again. The Navy folks didn't talk to me but I know they were wondering who I really was. (Running back and forth with rags, wearing a very noticeable swiss watch and wearing old Raybans...) It was a great day for this old guy!
8 comments:
And I get the F-16? No fair!!!!!!!!
Awesome day you had on that beautiful machine!
Orpo;
They do need an AM Troubleshooter to repair the left brake hydraulic system. Sorry you are in California...
That's at HGR 117 at Jax unless I miss my guess...
Very close... Hangar 114, but we exited to the East side.
That's awesome LOOONG time!!!
What a MARVELOUS sound in the video! Great pics, too.
I am green...
Thanks Gene and Buck! I have been invited back next Monday.
Other things are happening. Maybe I can pull a big favor and beg a ride, but no holding of breath, ok? It's fun just to be near this piece of history.
I was close :-) I only spent 10 years at NAS Jax :-)
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