WarbirdsNews is pleased to present the latest details surrounding the Warbirds Of Glory Museum’s ongoing restoration of the “Sandbar Mitchell” in Brighton, Michigan. It’s been just over a year since the recovery team lifted the center section, the heart and soul of the aircraft, from its crash site near Fairbanks, Alaska, and so much has happened in the interim. Here is what took place in June and early July…
The daunting task of inventorying the new old stock B-25 parts, as well as cleaning and inventorying the used parts the museum acquired is almost finished. Now that all of the parts are sorted, work can continue on disassembling the right side of the center section. The team has also been collecting gauges for the Mitchell’s instrument panel. Working from the original North American Aviation construction drawings, the restoration team has created a computer model of the main instrument panel, and will soon manufacture a new one using a CNC milling machine.
The Warbirds Of Glory Museum also took part in the downtown Brighton 4th of July parade, pulling the B-25 nose section with Patrick and Anthony sitting in the cockpit wearing correct WWII pilot attire. The museum has also received official confirmation from the IRS about their 501C3 non-profit application, and hopes to have a response within the next 90 days.
Museum members will also be making a presentation on the recovery and restoration of the Sandbar Mitchell just a few days from now at EAA AirVenture 2014 in Oshkosh, WI. The lecture will take place on Monday, July 28th at 10:00am in forum building 4. You can also meet with the museum’s co-founder Patrick Mihalek, and some of the youth restoration team. The team will also have T-shirts and other items for purchase. Also premiering at EAA Oshkosh 2014 will be “The Restorers” documentary recovery episode featuring the recovery of Sandbar Mitchell. The show will be playing at the EAA Museum Theater at 4:00pm, August 2nd. The episode will also be featured in the Imax Theater at the United States Airforce Museum in Dayton, OH during August.
There are also new items coming to the Sandbar Mitchell online store!
WarbirdsNews will continue to bring news on this fascinating project as soon as it becomes available. Please visit the Sandbar Mitchell Team’s website to find out more about the aircraft’s history and how you too can help the project… Or join their Facebook page.
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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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