As usual, WarbirdsNews has received the latest XP-82 Twin Mustang restoration update from Tom Reilly at his workshop in Douglas, Georgia. Here’s what they’ve been up to this month!
Center Section
All the gear door castings and link rods are now installed with the exception of the two aft door hooks and hook mounts that Reilly expects to receive any day now. Gear door up-lock casting mounts, hooks, bell cranks and push rods are pictured in numerical order starting on the front spar.
Both emergency gear up-lock release mechanisms are now installed with their associated cable runs. These uplock releases can be operated independently by either pilot through a common cable to release the gear doors and up-locked landing gear by a pull handle mounted under each instrument panel. The main undercarriage will then gravity-fall to down-lock position.
All of the 3/32 stainless steel cables that run through the center section from each throttle quadrant are now installed and rigged. These sixteen cables, eight running from each side, synchronize the throttle and prop control levers mounted in each cockpit. Also, the six one-inch diameter five foot long control rods that transfer and synchronize the elevator and aileron movements between both pilots are now installed (pictured below the cables).
And at last, the two remaining (out of 20) fuselage-to-center-section attach fittings are now permanently installed. Each fuselage is attached to the center section with ten huge NASA bolts fastened down through and into barrel nuts mounted in fittings attached to the forward, middle and aft center section spars.
attach fittings. Note the large NASA bolt in the center. (photo via Tom Reilly)
Canopies
The final installation and rigging of the opening and closing crank and cable mechanisms for each canopy are now completed. (Two of the very few parts in the -82 that are the same as a P-51.) Both under-canopy aft closeout skin panels and phenolic rub strips are now completed and installed.
Aft Fuselages
All of the rudder, elevator and balance trim cables are now run through numerous pulley banks, installed and up to tension. As you can see, they aren’t that easy to get to!
Both rudder lower side skins (four) and tail light receptacles are now completed. Both lower rudder boots that were mashed beyond recognition are now back to final shape and fit, awaiting special English wheel rollers to roll out the final small dents.
Dorsal Fins
Both dorsal fins are well on their way to completion. All of the parts are remade and fitted, and just awaiting final riveting.
The team has restored the fuel check valves as well.
Wings – Flaps – Ailerons
The remaining flap hinges, mounts, bell cranks and arms have now been machined, painted and await installation.
The aileron combination sector/arm/hinge mounts (25 in all, with 23 pictured below) have all been delivered to Reilly’s team from two of their subcontract machine shops. Reilly’s team are currently fitting them.
Tail Wheel Retract/Extension Mechanisms
The restoration team has just started to get into full swing sorting out what is still required for the tail wheel assemblies. The majority of the steering parts that were originally magnesium didn’t survive the sixty years outdoors very well. Therefore Tom Reilly has contracted two machine shops to start the duplication process for all of the parts still required.
And that’s all for this month. Many thanks again to Tom Reilly for the update! You can learn more about the project on their blog HERE. Please be sure to check back with WarbirdsNews in early February for the next installation following the XP-82′s road to recovery!
Please click HERE for some of our previous updates.
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XP-82 Twin Mustang – November, 2014 Restoration Update
XP-82 Twin Mustang – October, 2014 Restoration Update
XP-82 Twin Mustang – September, 2014 Restoration Update
XP-82 Twin Mustang – August 2014 Restoration Update
XP-82 Twin Mustang – July 2014 Restoration Update
XP-82 Twin Mustang Project – June, 2014 Restoration Update
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.
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