Howdy all! I’ve been buying old airplane parts to display in the garage. Until now they have had no common connection. But this last purchase gave me an idea on how to bring a bunch of them together.
This is the inspiration, A Curtiss P6E Hawk… This one is painted in the colors of the 17th Pursuit Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group based at Selfridge Field, Mount Clemens, Mich. around 1932-34.
I started with this rudder from a 1940s Beech 18. I painted it in early Army Air Corps colors.
Then came this wingtip from a 1940s T6 Texan.
You can see it above the rudder in the previous photo. When finished, it will be painted signal yellow (just like the wings on the Hawk) and mounted closer to the top of the rudder on an oak backboard. I will be able to turn the navigation lights on and off. Here is a very short video of how far I’ve gotten on this part of the project.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWev_PiI3QwThis Hartzell propeller will hang from the rafters about six feet in front of the rudder. The hub is currently at a machinist shop. I am trying to have a bracket fabricated so that the prop can be used as a ceiling fan!
And finally, my latest purchase, and the part that I think will bring it all together. I bought these old wheel fairings which were last used on a Piper J3 Cub. They will be painted white with the black owl talons, just like the P6E Hawks landing gear. They will be used as shades for ceiling lights, and will be hung from the rafter just in front of the rudder, and about a two feet from each side of it.
The rudder, wingtip and wheel fairings will all be in appropriate colors. The old Hartzell propeller is similar to the on used on the Hawk. So, I’m optimistic that this project will turn out well!
Cheers! goaly
