Author Topic: The Cradle Of Aviation Museaum Needs Your help.. (Read 356 times)

muckmaw · « **on:** March 12, 2003, 11:44:32 AM »

No, we don't want a check. Alright, checks are nice, but here's the real problem we're facing. We are restoring an E-2C Hawkeye. The problem is, we cannot find Prop blades for this damn bird ANYWHERE!!! We've talked to the manufacturer, we've called in all the favors we can think of, but no one can come up with the damn blades.

And here's the kicker...the E-2C is being refitted, as we speak, with anew 8 blade prop! So you know, somewhere, there is a yard full of the old 4 blade props that we're looking for.

We can even substiture C-130 Props, as they look identical. The plane is a static display, and the props do not have to be air worthy.

If anyone has a contact, that could help us out, I'll personally buy you bottle of your favorite bribe.

This is very important to the museum, as we concentrate on Long Island aviation, thereby having one of the largest Grumman and Republic collections.

Any help is greatly appreciated, even if it's just an idea I can track down.

Thanks in advance, and come visit us. I'll give you a personal tour!

ra · « **Reply #1 on:** March 12, 2003, 11:50:54 AM »

Jeez, I supposed you've already checked into this, but I would have thought those airplane graveyards in the southwest would be full of these things.

muckmaw · « **Reply #2 on:** March 12, 2003, 12:16:48 PM »

You got any phone numbers for one of those places?

Hangtime · « **Reply #3 on:** March 12, 2003, 12:21:54 PM »

Davis Motham AFB.. thats the prime desert boneyard. should be able to track 'em on the web.

Good luck, Muck!

udet · « **Reply #4 on:** March 12, 2003, 01:50:57 PM »

hmm I think one of the labs in my school has a C130 blade-it's a pretty big one,right? I think it's not for the turboprop version, as those blades look different. here's a phone number, it might be for prospective students though. I won't have access to that room till Monday to confirm that it has a C130 blade.

1-800-862-2416

Golfer · « **Reply #5 on:** March 12, 2003, 07:17:12 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by udet
hmm I think one of the labs in my school has a C130 blade-it's a pretty big one,right? I think it's not for the turboprop version, as those blades look different. here's a phone number, it might be for prospective students though. I won't have access to that room till Monday to confirm that it has a C130 blade.

1-800-862-2416

If you can fit a C-130 prop into any of your school labs...then i guess you go to a bigger school than me. Doubt its a Herc blade because they're what Muck...13-14 feet in diameter? Add to it no asthetic appeal really. I'll take a polished 3 blade hamilton standard any day! oh i already have one

I get an up-close look at the herc's at Mansfield Lahm Regional in "Sunny Mansfield" (damned if the sun ever comes out) Ohio. Follow one of these suckers down the taxiway or watch them takeoff in lines of up to 6 on Guard Duty weekends or just do touch and go's. And there's me in a little 152 aerobat put-putting along with my big ol 4-banger that cruises downhill downwind leaning foward in the seat a blistering 115 knots. Those Allison engines have something along the lines of 4000 horsepower each? "Advise you hold 3 minutes for wake turbulence" says the tower and i am more than happy to volunteer to do just this. Watch them fly off into the sunset then its my turn...hear that mighty engine ROAAAA-...uhh..Meow compared to that sucker.

I'll see what i can do muck. Need a Pratt & Whitney R2800-10 (F6F Hellcat version). 0 time on the engine in its original government can. Packed in protective material of some kind. Perhaps a P-39 Airacobra airframe thats got a little "twist" to it? I'll make a few calls and see if i can find anything laying around. Davis-Monthan out in arizona is a good place to look too. I wouldnt mind starting my own version of "junkyard wars" out there.

muckmaw · « **Reply #6 on:** March 12, 2003, 08:45:09 PM »

I spent half the day on the phone with Davis Monthan. No dice yet.

Anything you can do would be appreciated.

Hangtime · « **Reply #7 on:** March 12, 2003, 09:02:46 PM »

next idea.. the upgrades and reworks on grumman birds, and in particular the E2C is being done at Northrop Grumman's St. Agustine, FL, facility... this is prolly were those stacks of old props are.

I pulled this phone number for Grumman St, Augustine outta a rolodex.. (pre-northrop) I have no idea who's on the other end these days.. but you may be able to wheedle a better number from who ever picks up.

904.825.3828

good luck buddy!

Bodhi · « **Reply #8 on:** March 12, 2003, 09:36:18 PM »

Muck,

Make a fibreglass blade, it is simpler and is less of a problem should someone bump into it. I know some people that have some C-130 Blades, let me know which series blade is the identical one, and I'll check into when they can make a fiberglass one, or maybe donate the blades.

Bodhi aka Derek

If you want to call my shop.

336-267-4506

muckmaw · « **Reply #9 on:** March 13, 2003, 12:45:49 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Hangtime
next idea.. the upgrades and reworks on grumman birds, and in particular the E2C is being done at Northrop Grumman's St. Agustine, FL, facility... this is prolly were those stacks of old props are.

I pulled this phone number for Grumman St, Augustine outta a rolodex.. (pre-northrop) I have no idea who's on the other end these days.. but you may be able to wheedle a better number from who ever picks up.

904.825.3828

good luck buddy!

Great help here, Hang. Thanks. I made the call, and spoke to a gentleman who knows the museum's president. So, he may actually have some blades at the plant. If so, they're as good as ours. If not, he's going to fish around for us.

I'll keep you posted.

Bodhi-

I don't know the exact model number of blade, but it's the shorter ones, found on the E-2C, the C2-A and the C-130. They are rather short, and wide. I don't want to bother you with phone calls. If you have any blades that you may be interested in donating, please don't hesitate to call me at 718-575-5964.

Thanks to all.
Joe

midnight Target · « **Reply #10 on:** March 13, 2003, 02:37:49 PM »

Maybe a long shot, but the old Norton AFB in San Bernardino, Ca. is now called San Bernardino Airport or something like that. They have a large plane repair facility there, and just might have some props laying around.