Good Morning, I am part of a museum that is in the process of restoring a 1945 PB4Y-2 Privateer. We are having a difficult time acquiring certain parts. Does the Navy maintain stocks of old parts and manuals that they sell or donate as surplus? I know that the Privateers went to the Coast Guard after their Navy use and the Coasties did not use the Erco blister turrets, I would assume that the Navy removed them before transferring the Aircraft to the Coast Guard...does the Navy have items like this stashed somewhere? If anyone has any info or a number to an agency that may know, I would be very appreciative. Thank you.
The Navy tends to clear out all stocks of those old things fairly quickly, So do the other services after they no longer use the AC. Sometimes a stock of stuff is discovered someplace, where it's been for years, but thats rare. That old an AC, I would guess your search should be to other museums, Ac salvage yards, Mil surplus places,Possibly old crash sites, possibly foreign sources. The fellas at Planes of Fame, located at Chino airport, California. have contacts to tons of old stuff, or they can possibly help to get a reproduction made.
Originally posted by shockey: The Navy tends to clear out all stocks of those old things fairly quickly, So do the other services after they no longer use the AC. Sometimes a stock of stuff is discovered someplace, where it's been for years, but thats rare. That old an AC, I would guess your search should be to other museums, Ac salvage yards, Mil surplus places,Possibly old crash sites, possibly foreign sources. The fellas at Planes of Fame, located at Chino airport, California. have contacts to tons of old stuff, or they can possibly help to get a reproduction made.
Shockey
Shockey
Are you familiar with Chino? I hear they have a section dedicated to USS Enterprise CV 6. What do you think of it?
Check Davis-Monthan AFB. For example, when the reserves retired their P2V-7 aircraft some went to Argentina, some to fight fires as air tankers but others went to Davis-Monthan. And if they don't have what you want they may know who does.
Originally posted by scooter_mech: Check Davis-Monthan AFB. For example, when the reserves retired their P2V-7 aircraft some went to Argentina, some to fight fires as air tankers but others went to Davis-Monthan. And if they don't have what you want they may know who does.
There is a civilian owned aircraft junkyard across the street from Davis-Monthan that has some really old aircraft in it. They sell parts. I know all the WF 2/E1B Willy Fudds are located there.
Try talking with the folks at the National Naval Aviation Museum (navalaviationmuseum.org) down in Pensacola, FL. They have a Privateer on display so they must have access to parts. Good luck with your project.
I VOLUNTEERED many hours help them restoring older aircraft. They may be able to help you find what you're looking for. They have many old WWII things. Not just aircraft almost anything you can think of. If you're visiting California and want to see some historic stuff it might be worth your while to visit there. It's a well kept secret that NOT MANY people know about!
- Hope this helps you!
- AD1(AW), USN (Retired)
"Life is: You reap what you sow!!" "Go ahead make my day!!"
