Cadet Air Corps Museum AT-10 Restoration

Periodically, we have presented reports from Chuck Cravens detailing the restoration of an ultra-rare Beechcraft AT-10 Wichita WWII advanced, multi-engine trainer, however, it has been more than two years since our last update. As mentioned in previous articles, the project belongs to the Cadet Air Corps Museum and comprises the remains of several airframes, but will be based upon Wichita 41-27322. The restoration is taking place at the world-renowned AirCorps Aviation in Bemidji, Minnesota, and we now have another update on the progress as it stands so far….

Contents

AT-10 Restoration at AirCorps Aviation Fuselage:Vertical Stabilizer Elevators Tarkio Trip AT-10 Ephemera Want to get involved?

AT 10 Nov 2023 — Pilots in multi-engine training needed to develop skills in formation flying to prepare for missions in bombers and transport aircraft. AT-10s were a perfect trainer for these much needed skills. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT-10 Restoration at AirCorps Aviation

by Chuck Cravens

We are pleased to report that AirCorps Aviation’s restoration technicians resumed work on the AT-10 project for the Cadet Air Corps Museum this fall. The rudder pedals, forward fuselage, elevators, and vertical fin are all assemblies which received attention. Furthermore, several employees made a trip down to Congressman Sam Grave’s place in Tarkio, Missouri to pick up some original parts and assemblies for possible use in the restoration.

AT 10 Nov 2023 9 — The metal forward fuselage as seen from inside the wooden rear fuselage. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 1 — The cockpit section of the forward fuselage is test-fitted to an original, dismountable nose section. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 2 — The fuselage from another angle; the rudder pedal crossbar is visible inside the nose opening. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 3 — . (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 4 — The wood structure of the rear fuselage as seen through the cockpit’s open nose. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 5 — Aaron is lightly sanding the first coat of varnish on the wooden skin in preparation for a second coat. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 6 — The original nose section has been mounted, but it will be replaced with an entirely new duplicate. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 7 — The new removable nose section is taking shape in the restoration shop. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 8 — The hole in the center of the removable nose section will hold a passing light. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

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Fuselage:

Work continued on preparing the wooden portion of the fuselage for another coat of protective varnish. Also, a new, removable nose section is under fabrication in the restoration shop.

AT 10 Nov 2023 10 — This original rudder and brake pedal assembly has one of the brake linkages in place. The AT-10’s brakes are toe brakes, activated by pressing on the upper part of the rudder pedals. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 11 — The rudder pedal assembly components resting on a bench as assembly begins. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 12 — Aaron begins assembly. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 13 — Aaron is working on one of the brake shafts. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 14 — This shaft tube is one of four in the rudder pedal/brake pedal assembly. It is one of two tubes upon which brake linkages are mounted. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 15 — The two rudder pedal shafts and one of the brake pedal shafts are shown here. The eight painted arms are hangers which the rudder pedals mount to. The tube without pedal hangers is one of the brake tubes. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 16 — This image shows two of the shafts in place to test their fit. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 17 — A front view shows three of the four tubular brake and rudder pedal shafts in place. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 18 — From inside the cockpit, it is clear that the right rudder pedals have their own shaft, as do the left pedals. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 19 — From inside the cockpit, it is clear that the right rudder pedals have their own shaft, as do the left pedals. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

Vertical Stabilizer

Remarkably, we were able to obtain a new-old-stock vertical fin for the AT-10 project. Although new, we had to remove its skin for a thorough inspection of its interior in case any damage occurred over the 81 years since the fin’s construction. Assemblies like this sometimes tell us their stories in marks, dates, and messages that factory workers may have left within the structure, a possibility that proved true in this case. Aaron found marks which indicated that the Globe Aircraft Corporation built this fin rather than Beech. Indeed, Globe built 600 AT-10s under license for the military.

Another date from inside the vertical stabilizer indicated that December 5, 1942, was the structure’s final inspection date before its covering went on.

AT 10 Nov 2023 20 — This fabric from the fin shows the date December 8, 1942. That date stamp marks the day on which the second and final coat of silver dope was applied to the fin. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

3:25 pm is the latest time marked inside the vertical stabilizer. Other time inscriptions for 1:45 pm and 3:27 pm are also visible, although they don’t show up well in photographs.

AT 10 Nov 2023 21 — Although the date itself isn’t shown, this worker’s pencil mark was probably from
either the first week of December or the last week of November 1942. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 22 — This is a Globe Aircraft Corporation inspection stamp from inside the vertical stabilizer. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 23 — The skin from one side of the vertical stabilizer has been carefully removed to allow a thorough inspection of the internal structure. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 24 — The craftsmanship of the woodworkers hired for the AT-10 program during WWII is evident in the opened horizontal. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 25 — Here is a closer view of the woodwork. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 26 — Interior fuselage framing around the porthole style windows is another display of 1940’s woodworking craftsmanship. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 27 — Here is an example of what Beech called “Durawood”. This image shows that Durawood was made up of many sheets of 1/64 inch thick walnut layered and glued together. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

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Elevators

AirCorps Aviation’s technicians also began restoring the AT-10’s elevators this fall.

AT 10 Nov 2023 28 — Theo works on the right side elevator. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 29 — Despite being damaged, original parts like this elevator can sometimes be restored and used on the finished aircraft. If not, they remain invaluable as templates for newly-fabricated replacements. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AirCorps Aviation carefully inspects original parts, and tags each one of them individually. This practice identifies parts by name, part number, customer, and inspector, and helps keep the project organized.

AT 10 Nov 2023 30 — A tag for the upper tail wheel truss assembly. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 33 — The rudder horn awaits inspection. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 32 — This is a male hinge assembly used on both the elevators and rudder. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 31 — The lower tail wheel support assembly. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

Tarkio Trip

AirCorps Aviation’s Mark Adams and Aaron Prince made the trip down to Representative Sam Graves’ place in Tarkio, Missouri to bring back some original parts and assemblies that will be useful for the AT-10’s restoration.

AT 10 Nov 2023 34 — Aaron Prince and Sam Graves have the truck loaded and ready to
head back to Minnesota. (photo courtesy of Mark Adams)

Although things looked a little disorganized in the early stages of loading up components for the trip back to Bemidji, every single part will be properly inventoried once it reaches AirCorps Aviation’s facility.

AT 10 Nov 2023 35 — The truck is becoming fuller as the load process continues. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 36 — These are various parts and fittings acquired during the trip. Wing attach fittings are shown in the lower right and center left of the photo. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 50 — The maximum speed for aircraft operation with the cockpit enclosure open is the information provided by this placard. All of the original cockpit placards will either be reinstalled as-is, or remanufactured, in the restored cockpit. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 49 — Another placard indicates that the airplane has complied with Tech Order 02-1-29, which calls for installation of an idle cut off. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 48 — This placard shows the direction of movement for the propeller, throttle, mixture, and manifold heat controls. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 47 — This placard from inside the cockpit lists various flap settings and acceptable speeds for lowering the gear and landing lights. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 46 — Here is another view of the spare cockpit assembly acquired during the trip. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 45 — Another complete cockpit section was retrieved from Tarkio because the roll over structure and sliding cockpit frame are in better condition than the original. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 44 — Additional landing gear components. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 43 — Landing gear and brake components were amongst the haul of parts. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 42 — Pilot information for the Blytheville Army Air Field vicinity from the center of the instrument panel. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 41 — This is 41-27322’s original instrument panel. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 40 — Several instrument panels were brought back to the AirCorps restoration shop. Fortunately, the original instrument panel from the AT-10 (41-27322) project was in place, and it will be restored and used in the finished aircraft. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 39 — Seats were another valuable find from Tarkio. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 38 — These engine nacelle assemblies were among the components picked up during the Tarkio trip. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 37 — These engine nacelle assemblies were among the components picked up during the Tarkio trip. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 51 — This is a set of NOS wings with the original fabric and dope finish in excellent condition. Not only is the finish original, but all of the control pulleys and wiring inside the wing are in new, unused condition as well. Unfortunately, despite having never been used, the wings will still need to be rebuilt. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 52 — A look inside one of the NOS wings shows why it will have to be rebuilt. Even though these wings have never been used, some of the glue joints have delaminated over the 80 years since they were originally built. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

The wings will be carefully reskinned on one side, with the original skin in place on the other surface. Once the first new skin is in place, the other side will be removed and replaced. This procedure will keep the wing structure properly aligned throughout the reskinning process; it will essentially act as its own fixture.

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AT-10 Ephemera

Several pieces of AT-10 ephemera were also amongst the treasure trove which Sam has collected over the years. For instance, this cover of the Globe Aircraft Corporation’s company newsletter Global Beam depicts AT-10s on the runway.

AT 10 Nov 2023 60 — An AT-10 flight training booklet. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 59 — More rare NOS components which Sam has collected include these landing gear position indicator lights. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 58 — These new, unused original knobs were found and purchased by Sam Graves for the project. They are knobs for the mixture, oil shutter, throttle, and propeller controls. They came in the original parts envelope. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 57 — The backside of the “Abbreviated Check List “ includes a navigation guide for ADF approaches to Freeman Field, near Seymour, Indiana. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 56 — This Army Air Forces Training Command “Abbreviated Check List” for the AT-10 was used only after the pilot had thoroughly familiarized themself with the longer “Amplified Check List”. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 55 — Workers build horizontal and vertical stabilizers for AT-10s in the Globe factory. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

AT 10 Nov 2023 54 — Within Global Beam are photos from the factory floor as workers built AT-10s. (image via AirCorps Aviation)

Want to get involved?

AirCorps Aviation is constantly looking for new technical material related to the AT-10. Due to the rarity of this aircraft, and the relatively low number produced, acquiring engineering drawings, parts catalogs, maintenance manuals, and other documentation has been much more difficult than with our past restorations. If you have any AT-10 material or know someone who does, the team would love to hear from you!

Be a part of helping the AT-10 return to the skies! Contact Ester Aube, by email or phone [email protected] or 218-444-4478

Furthermore, should anyone wish to contribute to the Cadet Air Corps Museum’s efforts, please contact board members:

Brooks Hurst: phone: +1 816 244 6927, e-mail: [email protected]
Todd Graves: e-mail: [email protected]

Contributions are tax-deductible.

And that’s all for this edition of the AT-10 Restoration Report. Many thanks to Chuck Cravens and AirCorps Aviation for this article.

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