Vintage Aviation News first reported on the restoration progress of the 1954 Beechcraft E18S-9700 “Super 18” in January 2023. This aircraft is currently under a return-to-flight program at the Vintage Flying Museum (VFM) located at Meacham International Airport (FTW) north of Fort Worth, Texas. Work on the Hollywood Bomber Beech 18 made significant headway last week with various critical tasks completed across multiple sections of the aircraft.
“Hollywood Bomber” Crew Chief
One major step was the successful installation and filling of the left rear fuel tank, which is currently holding steady. In addition, three other fuel tanks were removed for leak testing. Of these, two—one main and one auxiliary—will undergo weld repairs due to bung corrosion, with parts already en route. The remaining main tank showed no leaks, though it will be retested with fuel to confirm its integrity.
“Hollywood Bomber” Crew Chief
On the engine side, the #2 oil tank helicoil and stud repairs were completed, thanks to assistance from LouAnn, and the tank is now ready for reinstallation. New cockpit windows arrived, along with vinyl for marking the wing fuel tanks, which is prepped for installation.
“Hollywood Bomber” Crew Chief
Inside the cockpit, a number of upgrades were made, including the slave pilot power panel, which is now 50% wired, and grounding on the center post has been terminated. The battery charge port has been successfully wired, while the pilot’s seat was fully assembled and installed. Old adhesive was stripped from the cockpit upholstery skins, and the trim control stanchion cover has been fitted. In addition, the cowling snubber fittings were drilled off for future work. The cockpit windows were removed because of delamination in the glass window panels and some fitment issues. Windshield wipers have been previously removed on the aircraft so we are installing brand new pilot, copilot, and center plexiglass windows. The new windows should be a large improvement to cockpit visibility.
Several important steps remain to move the restoration forward:
Engine Work: – Install governor pulley brackets and fittings, followed by rigging. – Confirm all engine controls are properly lubricated and operating freely. – Continue servicing the oil tanks with small amounts of oil to check for plumbing leaks.
Airframe Tasks: – Complete the installation of the second power panel in the cockpit. – Wire fuel senders and gauges, oil pressure gauges, and the pre-oil power circuit. – Paint markings on the remaining oil cap and wire the gear well light bracket. – Finalize pitot-static plumbing and panel wiring. – Fabricate exhaust straps and address cockpit window corrections. – Install the baggage bin floor after tension cables are in place, and finish the entry floor. – Refine the shortage list for wing strap parts and metal tag spar components. – Prepare the nose patches for priming and painting. – Send upper cockpit panels and miscellaneous items for powder coating.
“Hollywood Bomber” Crew Chief
Other Priorities: The team is also working on additional follow-up letters from contacts made at Oshkosh and acquiring eight new headsets for the project. With steady progress and more tasks lined up, the restoration of the Hollywood Bomber Beech 18 is on track to return this historic aircraft to its former glory. The restoration team’s work can be viewed in weekly video updates on the HangaRatz YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/c/HangaRatz. If you would like to donate to the project, visit www.vintageflyingmuseum.org/join-and-support/. You may also contact the team directly at hollywoodbomber@gmail.com.
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Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
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