Cadet Air Corps Museum AT-10 Restoration

Beechcraft_AT-10_Wichita_on_the_ground_c1942 — A Beechcraft AT-10 Wichita circa 1942. AirCorps Aviation is presently restoring one of these ultra-rare aircraft for the Cadet Air Corps Museum. Here is the latest progress report from Chuck Cravens! (photo via Wikipedia)

Over the past year, we have periodically presented reports by Chuck Cravens detailing the restoration on an ultra-rare Beechcraft AT-10 Wichita WWII advanced, multi-engine trainer. As mentioned in the 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….

Copy of 20180319 150012 Edit — The cockpit section looks good with the windshield frame attached to check the fit. (photo via AirCorps Aviation)

The AT-10 at AirCorps Aviation – Summer 2018 Report

by Chuck Cravens

The cockpit section of the AT-10 continues to be the focus of restoration efforts. The frame members have been assembled and some side skin sections cut, fitted, and riveted on permanently. Meanwhile, work progresses on parts and some of the smaller assemblies.

Parts

As the cockpit area is assembled, more and more parts are needed. Each part is restored or fabricated as the need arises, so that the restoration can proceed without delay.

Copy of 20170831 141457 — Forming blocks are shown here. On the leftmost block is an unformed part blank, and to the right of that is one that has been hand formed over its block with a hammer. (photo via AirCorps Aviation)

Copy of 20171207 164406 — Hand hammered fuselage parts. In the center is the instrument panel frame, to the sides are lower formers for the fuselage. (photo via AirCorps Aviation)

Copy of 20180312 165540 — Rudder pedal arms and parts that make up the linkage have been bead blasted and prepared for painting. (photo via AirCorps Aviation)

Copy of IMG 5183 — Alodined parts hanging to dry. (photo via AirCorps Aviation)

Copy of at10 cadet 20180621 p1 — Guy is removing the rudder trim control handle. (photo by John LaTourelle)

Copy of at10 cadet 20180621 p2 — Here, a tighter shot shows him driving out the pin that holds the handle in place. (photo by John LaTourelle)

Copy of 20180529 115317 — Guy has completed the pilot pedestal structure. To each side are electrical subpanels that will eventually have subassemblies like fuse boxes installed. (photo via AirCorps Aviation)

Cockpit Section Assembly

Frames, skins, and brackets have been going together to shape the cockpit section of the Wichita’s fuselage.

Copy of at10 cadet 20180301 p2 — In this view from underneath the cockpit area, the box with the slanted side is where the voltage regulator will eventually reside. (photo by John LaTourelle)

Copy of at10 cadet 20180301 p6 — The bracket in the center right of this image is the landing gear motor support bracket. (photo by John LaTourelle)

Copy of at10 cadet 20180301 p7 — This is a view of the nose framework from the pilot’s vantage point. (photo by John LaTourelle)

Copy of 0329181644a — A side view as the windshield frame is mounted for test fitting. (photo via AirCorps Aviation)

Copy of 20180501 103340 — Here, the skin for the glare shield is being fitted to the frame and instrument panel. The line marked in black shows where the edge of the windshield frame will be located. (photo via AirCorps Aviation)

Copy of at10 cadet 20180301 p3 — The right side skin is now permanently riveted. (photo by John LaTourelle)

Copy of 20180501 103409 — In this view from above of the same area, the instrument panel is clearly visible. (photo via AirCorps Aviation)

Copy of at10 cadet 20180615 p3 — The left side is also riveted. (photo by John LaTourelle)

Copy of at10 cadet 20180601 p6 — The forward most skin section of the glare shields also shows the lines marking the future location of the windshield frame edges. (photo by John LaTourelle)

Copy of at10 cadet 20180621 p6 — The bracket visible here is where the fuel selector will be mounted. (photo by John LaTourelle)

Copy of at10 cadet 20180621 p7 — Our final photo for this update shows the hinges for the nose cone (or as Beech refers to it, the demountable forward fuselage). (photo by John LaTourelle)

And that’s all for this edition of the AT-10 Restoration Report. Many thanks to Chuck Cravens and AirCorps Aviation for this article. Should anyone wish to contribute to the Cadet Air Corps Museum’s efforts, please contact board members Brooks Hurst at 816 244 6927, email at wingnutsflyingcircus@yahoo.com or Todd Graves, todd.graves@pobox.com. Contributions are tax deductible.

Richard Mallory Allnutt (Chief Editor)

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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.

Cadet Air Corps Museum AT-10 Restoration – Summer 2018

The AT-10 at AirCorps Aviation – Summer 2018 Report

Parts

Cockpit Section Assembly

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Richard Mallory Allnutt (Chief Editor)

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