02-11-2025
Our vintage Willy’s Jeep has returned to operational condition, thanks to volunteer John Zumwalt. Marked as a WWII Coast Guard example, by its restorer and former Coast Guard serviceman, the late Buck Alan Parham, the vehicle helps tell the story of the US Coast Guard’s vital contributions to the nation’s safety during that conflict.
02-08-2025
Pioneer Aero Ltd. has made progress restoring the SBD’s Rollover Frame. This structure is designed to help minimize aircrew injury should the Dauntless flip over during landing or takeoff operations.
02-06-2025
Pioneer Aero Ltd. has been working hard to repair the SBD’s upper fuselage frames. This article covers their progress rebuilding Frames #5 & 6.
02-03-2025
A volunteer crew from the Military Aviation Museum has begun restoring our former RCAF Fairchild Cornell Mk.I (EW444) with direct supervision from the Fighter Factory’s licensed and highly-skilled engineering team.
01-31-2025
Pioneer Aero has been working hard on the SBD’s upper fuselage over the past few months. This report covers the work performed so far on Fuselage Frame #4.
01-11-2025
Pioneer Aero has been working hard on the SBD’s upper fuselage over the past few months. This report covers the work performed so far on Fuselage Frame #3.
01-03-2025
Pioneer Aero is close to completing each of the interspar ribs which lie between Spars #1 and #2 in the SBD’s Wing Center Section. While they were only able to reuse one of these ribs original to B-22, most of the attaching clips for the others were in sufficient condition for salvage.
12-30-2024
Pioneer Aero has made great progress rebuilding Spars #2 and #3 for the SBD’s Wing Center Section, along with their associated fuselage frame components.
12-05-2024
Pioneer Aero has had to remanufacture all of the skins covering the SBD’s Wing Center Section. This article covers the process, using the upper skin spanning Spars #2 and #3 as an example.
11-14-2024
The latest CCKW Fuel Truck restoration update shows significant progress taking place with the vehicle’s cab, which is now very close to being structurally complete.
11-10-2024
Pioneer Aero has now fully disassembled the SBD’s Wing Center Section and is making great progress with the refurbishing/refabrication of its components to airworthy standards.
11-07-2024
The Military Aviation Museum has just acquired a pair of WWII-era Clarktor 6 aircraft tugs along with eight examples of the Cletrac M2. We will be restoring at least one of each type for moving aircraft at the Museum to add to the authenticity of visitor experiences.