Warm up for Compression Check

The process is well underway. Taking things apart for the annual and certification process.  Today we did the engine cylinder compression checks.  Everything was in tolerance. Here is the video from inside the cockpit. My third time ever starting this bird, so don’t laugh too hard - VERY slow and methodical. 

Progress for today & Taigh Ramey’s amazing Lockheed PV-2D Harpoon, a WW2 anti-submarine patrol torpedo / bomber

It’s been fun working and hanging out here at Vintage Aircraft at Stockton Airport.  Here below are a few pictures from today. Taigh and Ricky consulting under the engine, one can see the true scale of this ship.  Below that you can see the massive void where the rear gunner ball turret was removed for service. Last, the mast antenna that we will reintroduce and reinstall to this Avenger, an original basic element.

Here below is a 2 part video inside Taigh Ramey’s amazing Lockheed PV-2D Harpoon, a WW2 anti-submarine patrol torpedo / bomber. This particular ship is absolutely loaded inside with original radios and equipment, an exquisite virtual flying museum.

B-17 Ball Turret in action

Here is that ball turret in action at Taigh’s Ramey’s Bomber Camp.

Servicing the Ball Turret with .50 Caliber Machine Gun

Here are some pictures and videos from Taigh Ramey’s Vintage Aircraft shop in Stockton California.

Close up of the inside of the rear gunner turret after removal from the airplane. Note the .50 caliber machine gun on the upper left.  On the right, I am holding a replacement gunner firing control box which has the pistol grip and gun trigger.  This grip is attached to a multi axis post which directs the entire ball turret to quickly rotate according to the control grip inputs.

The 3rd image here shows the magnitude of the armor plate that protected the gunner from incoming enemy fire. It is over 1” thick solid steel. The same on the side walls.