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A closeup detail of the inner-most inboard wing rib/bulkhead for the P-40's starboard wing. This is being prepared for mating with its opposite number on the port wing. (photo via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
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Pioneer Aero Ltd. has had an extremely productive beginning to 2019 from their base at Ardmore Airport near Auckland, New Zealand. As we noted in late February, they successfully flew Jerry Yagen’s Bell P-39F Airacobra after an extensive restoration. With the successful conclusion to the flight test program, they boxed up the aircraft in a cargo container for her ocean voyage to the USA in mid-March. The rare WWII tricycle-gear fighter is now on the way to her new hoe at the Military Aviation Museum in Pungo, Virginia. A team of engineers from Pioneer will assist with the Airacobra’s reassembly once she arrives in Pungo and prepare the aircraft for the museum’s annual Warbirds Over the Beach air show due to take place over the weekend of May 17-19.
With the P-39 having flown the nest, there is now room for the two Curtiss P-40s under restoration at Pioneer Aero to spread their wings again. We recently had a conversation with Pioneer’s Operations Manager, Paul McSweeney, to see how things are going with Claudio Coltri’s former Soviet Air Force P-40E Warhawk 41-13570. As readers will recall from our previous article on the aircraft, this P-40 was recovered substantially intact from a Russian lake back in 1997. As such, a lot of original material can be incorporated into the restoration.
A shot of the P-40 during the airlift from the lakeside recovery site. Her tail feathers, control surfaces, and armament had already been removed from the airframe prior to the heli-lift from a Kamov Ki-25. (photo credit unknown)
As McSweeney noted, “…work has now intensified on the P-40E for Claudio Coltri. As can be seen from the photos, this aircraft will fly again with a large original airframe content; this is rare in today’s restorations. Included in this original content are both of the engine side cowls, which are shown here with the original battle damage being cut out and repairs [being] made…”
Trial fitting the P-40’s engine cowlings. (photo via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
Another view of the engine cowling trial fitting. Note the two rounded cutouts in the skin at the top right of the frame. These holes were cut to replace with new sheet metal to repair wartime bullet damage. (photo via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
A close up of the cutouts for bullet damage repair. (photo via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
The two side cowlings on trestles outside the hangar during their repair process. (photo via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
The right hand engine side cowling. It is clear to see how much original material is being re-used. (photo via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
The P-40’s left hand side cowling, now with skin patches covering the wartime bullet damage. (photo via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
A closer shot of the left hand engine side cowling showing the skin patch repairs riveted in place. (photo via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
Another shot of the left hand engine side cowling, this time from the interior side. The skin patch repairs of the bullet damage can clearly be seen riveted in place about half way down on the right side of the image frame. (photo via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
The inside views of the engine side cowlings with most of the repairs complete. They only await repainting and new Dzus fasteners at this point. (photo via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
A closeup detail showing some of the original factory part numbers stamped into the metal. (photo via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
. (photo via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
The engine cowlings awaiting final finishing. Note the remarkable amount of original material in the chin scoop/oil cooler housing to the right side of the image. The green primer paint daubed on the lower section demarcates the skin patch repairs made to this component. (photo via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
McSweeney then remarked, “The engine is shown fitted with the old exhaust stacks and shrouds being restored for use.”
Restoring the engine exhaust heat shrouds. (photo via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
The engine exhaust stubs fitted in place to allow trial fitting of the exhaust shrouds. (photo via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
Trial fitting the engine exhaust heat shrouds. Note the woven fabric sandwiched into the component. Originally, this would have been an asbestos pad, but better, safer materials are used for this role today. (photo via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
McSweeney continued, “The centre of both wings are being dressed in preparation for fitting the splice-plate and joining of the two wings. The original instrument panel has been salvaged, but the electrical boxes were beyond repair so new ones, as per the photos, are being fabricated. Also shown is a shot of the chin cowl which is now ready for final paint and the cowl gill “hoop’ which is being prepared for fitment.”
Restoring the hoop section where the gill flaps attach at the back of the chin-mounted oil cooler housing. (photo via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
The fully restored gill flaps awaiting installation. (photo via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
A closeup detail of the inner-most inboard wing rib/bulkhead for the P-40’s starboard wing. This is being prepared for mating with its opposite number on the port wing. (photo via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
Another detail shot of the inner-most starboard wing rib; this time showing the leading edge section. (photo via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
The P-40’s wings in their rotisserie jibs being prepared for splicing together into a complete wing. (photo via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
While the P-40’s main instrument panel was reusable, the side consoles were not. Here is a new set part way through the fabrication process. (photo via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
Many thanks to Paul McSweeney and Pioneer Aero as well as Claudio Coltri for providing the details here for this report. We look forwards to publishing regular updates on this important project!
Richard Mallory Allnutt's aviation passion ignited at the 1974 Farnborough Airshow. Raised in 1970s Britain, he was immersed in WWII aviation lore. Moving to Washington DC, he frequented the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum, meeting aviation legends.
After grad school, Richard worked for Lockheed-Martin but stayed devoted to aviation, volunteering at museums and honing his photography skills. In 2013, he became the founding editor of Warbirds News, now Vintage Aviation News. With around 800 articles written, he focuses on supporting grassroots aviation groups.
Richard values the connections made in the aviation community and is proud to help grow Vintage Aviation News.