Restoration Blog

Back in late 2022, during the period where Pioneer Aero awaited the arrival of our SBD’s fuselage, the restoration team made good use of its time by working on items from the previously supplied parts cache. The empenage control surfaces were amongst those components attended to, with the rudder being completed first (as reported HERE)….

Lower wing skin subassembly (part #5090536) during the process of separating it into its component parts. The seemingly random grayish freckling in the skin’s white paint indicates areas of corrosion – sadly too deep for the part to be re-used. For reference, the bracket seen near the left edge of the image is actually the…

The SBD’s upper rear fuselage in its jig. The team used this as a template for reassembling the restored fin components, to ensure they each went in the correct position. (photo via Pioneer Aero Ltd.) Fin Reassembly: In January, we described how Pioneer Aero’s William Lowen had begun refurbishing parts for the SBD’s tail fin,…

This is how the upper segment for the SBD’s anti-drag ring cowling appeared in mid-October, 2023. Restoration of this subassembly is now almost complete, as is one of the two other segments which form the cowl assembly. (photo via Pioneer Aero Ltd.) Upper Cowl Progress: In October 2023, we described how Pioneer Aero had begun…

This is the aft fairing for the central ordnance mount which sits between spars No.3 and 5 on the lower side of the SBD’s wing center section. Pioneer Aero’s Craig Cunha found that this component has only minor corrosion damage, which he expects to repair in the near future.. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.) Ancillary…

The SBD’s wing center section in its jig prior to the flap bay’s removal. The flap bay runs from the wing trailing edge to Spar No.5, which is essentially the wing’s rear bulkhead. At the time this image was captured, rivet removal was about to commence on the flap bay. (Image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)…

This is an original rib from our SBD’s fin following refurbishing. Pioneer bead-blasted the component to remove the dirt, old paint and minor corrosion and then carefully worked out the minor dents. Following inspection, it is now ready for primer-painting. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.) Refurbishing Parts: Back in December, the team at Pioneer Aero…

The structure for the gunner’s cockpit floor following its removal from the fuselage during September, 2023. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.) Floor Disassembly: Back in September, Pioneer Aero’s restoration team disassembled the SBD’s fuselage, separating the structure from the wing center section. This also involved removing vestigial lower fuselage components from the top surface of…