 
A-7B in 2011 and Today
Restoration Continues
One Day at a Time
Far more time is devoted to our aircraft restoration than any other activity at the museum. The process is slow and often tedious and very much dependent on resources both human and financial.
A case in point is our A-7 Corsair II. We have had the aircraft for seven years, but for much of the first four to five years of our loan from the GSA we did not have the resources to do much restoration work. We were able to acquire the airplane due to the generosity of an enthusiast, but little else. Four years ago an A-7 veteran, who had a history with our airplane, approached us about helping with its restoration. Initial progress was slow and periodic, but two years ago our efforts increased.
Each restoration has its own set of challenges and the Corsair II had a real tough one. The US Navy undercoated the airplane with a rubberized material to protect it from the sea salt environment they operated in. Good for the Corsair; bad for us. It took well over a year to strip that material from the aircraft so we could apply a good primer coat. Finally, after a year of work on the exterior, the finish coat was applied, and now its squadron markings are being restored. Meanwhile, equally as much work was being done in the cockpit of the aircraft. The results will be eye-popping.
Our Air Force Bronco has its own story. It originally came to us in 2006, complete with Bureau of Land Management markings. It was restored to its gray livery in 2009, but time and the Texas sun took its toll on the aircraft. Two years ago it was selected for restoration in time for this year's BroncoFest. With the help of the Air Force FAC Association and others, the funds needed for the restoration were obtained and work began on the airframe. Since last year, the same chemical process we used on the A-7 was used to strip the OV-10 down to bare metal.
Last month, a game changing process to prime and paint the airplane was introduced to us. What had taken us months before was accomplished in seven hours. We went from bare metal to a full primer coat followed by a finish coat in seven hours. The device we used was on loan, but is now definitely on our shopping list. That resource can save us an enormous amount of our most precious resource, our volunteers' time, and should make it possible to restore three airplanes next year.
So, the next time you come to visit and see one of our sparkling new restorations, please know that thousands of man hours and thousands of dollars have gone into the restoration process with honor, respect, and a lot of heart-felt feeling.
Your ongoing support makes it all possible and is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
 
OV-10A #825 two months ago and today. |
