Disassembly Completed:

As we noted in mid-June, Nigel Lowen had begun disassembling and restoring the components comprising the SBD's lower aft fuselage. Subsequently, he has completely stripped this major subassembly down to its component parts—first removing the remaining skin panels, then the auxiliary stringers, and finally the frames and keel stringers. He was careful to take detailed notes during this process to ensure that reassembling the restored parts will proceed in the correct order, so all of the tricky rivets can go in while there is still access. The images immediately below show the final aspects of the stripping process, with a following section describing recent restoration work on some of the key components.

A view of the SBD’s lower aft fuselage from Frames #13 (at right) through #17 after Nigel Lowen had finished removing the skins from this significant subassembly. The layout of the stringers and supporting structure for mounting the tail gear is clearly visible where the fuselage cross section tapers towards the tail at image left. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
A view of the SBD’s lower aft fuselage from Frames #13 (at right) through #17 after Nigel Lowen had finished removing the skins from this significant subassembly. The layout of the stringers and supporting structure for mounting the tail gear is clearly visible where the fuselage cross section tapers towards the tail at image left. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

An overhead view of the SBD’s lower aft fuselage from frames #13 (at top) to #17 following skin removal. The dark block at the bottom of the image is part of the jig which holds the tail leg mounts in the correct location. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

Nigel Lowen is seen here drilling out rivets to remove the last parts from the SBD’s lower aft fuselage. Still attached to the jig are the lower halves of Fuselage Frames #10, #11 and #13, with the keel stringers running through them. The latter stringers extend between Frame #9 and Frame #17. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

A closeup of the SBD’s lower aft fuselage during its disassembly. This view shows the junction between the lower half of Fuselage Frame #13 and the keel stringers; the strongest area in this part of the fuselage—which makes sense given that the arrestor hook mount is located here. Visible to the left are the lower halves of Fuselage Frames #10 and #11, while some of the parts already removed from this section of fuselage are seen sitting beneath the jig. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
A closeup of the SBD’s lower aft fuselage during its disassembly. This view shows the junction between the lower half of Fuselage Frame #13 and the keel stringers; the strongest area in this part of the fuselage—which makes sense given that the arrestor hook mount is located here. Visible to the left are the lower halves of Fuselage Frames #10 and #11, while some of the parts already removed from this section of fuselage are seen sitting beneath the jig. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

Dismantled sections of the SBD’s lower aft fuselage, skin pieces to the left and Fuselage Frames to the right. Each part will undergo assessment, either being restored or refabricated depending upon their condition. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

A view of the lower half of Fuselage Frame #13, which is still attached to the keel stringers—making this the last junction from the SBD’s lower fuselage to be disassembled. Note, the front of the aircraft would be towards the top of the photograph. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

Looking forwards from the aircraft’s tail between the two lugs which form the main part of the arrestor hook mount; the lowest part of Fuselage Frame #13 being beneath them. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

A view showing the lower half of Fuselage Frame #13 (forward face) following its removal from the SBD’s lower aft fuselage. Note the silver identification tag sitting in the lightning hole to the right of image center; Pioneer Aero uses tags like this to help their engineers keep track of which part is which. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
A view showing the lower half of Fuselage Frame #13 (forward face) following its removal from the SBD’s lower aft fuselage. Note the silver identification tag sitting in the lightning hole to the right of image center; Pioneer Aero uses tags like this to help their engineers keep track of which part is which. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

Restoration Ensues:

After Nigel Lowen (with assistance from William Lowen) finished dismantling all of the SBD's lower fuselage frames, he set about the inspection and repair process. As with every part so far in this project, each component underwent an initial bead blasting to remove any paint, dirt and corrosion so that more could be learned about its condition. Repairs began on the salvageable Fuselage Frames, with some having already progressed to the primer-painting stage.

The lower half of Fuselage Frame #16 (aft face) soon after its removal from the fuselage jig. Still attached to the frame is the forward section of the tail leg support structure. The remaining components will be drilled off, with everything given an initial bead blast and inspection to verify their potential for airworthy repair. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

The lower section of Fuselage Frame #14 (aft face) soon after its removal from the fuselage jig. The remaining stiffener (running along the top edge) will be drilled off, with both items receiving an initial bead blast of suspicious areas to reveal the extent of any damage, and their potential for airworthy repair. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

The lower section of Fuselage Frame #15 (aft face) soon after its removal from the fuselage jig. The remaining stiffener (running along the top edge) will be drilled off, with both items receiving an initial bead blast of suspicious areas to reveal the extent of any damage, and their potential for airworthy repair. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

The lower section of Fuselage Frame #10 (forward face) soon after its removal from the fuselage jig. Interestingly, this component actually comprises two mirrored halves, with a joiner down the center line. The joiner will be removed after which all three parts will receive an initial bead blast to determine their airworthiness potential. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

The lower section of Fuselage Frame #11 (aft face) following an initial bead blast of a suspected area of corrosion. The condition of the underlying area was sufficiently decent to merit the complete bead blasting of the entire part to assess the viability of its airworthy repair. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

The lower section of Fuselage Frame #11 after bead blasting and inspection. Minor repairs were in the process of being executed to restore the part to airworthy condition at the time this image was captured. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

A closeup of the righthand half of the lower section from Fuselage Frame #10 (aft face). The Frame sustained some crash damage, the flange at the left side of the image having been forced inboard, causing a crack (the end of which being indicated by the small black dot towards the upper left corner of the image). This damage will be repaired by reshaping the frame to its correct shape, stop-drilling the crack at the black dot, then fabricating a doubler to sit on the inside of the frame. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

A closeup of the lefthand side of the lower section of Fuselage Frame #16 (forward face), with the forward section of the tail leg support structure still attached. Detailed photos like this taken during the disassembly process help encapsulate the finer details required during re-assembly—especially when one needs to remember such things as which side the rivet heads are positioned or which items sit atop or below each other. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

From left to right, the lower sections of Fuselage Frames #15, #14 and #10 (left half) in the paint booth ready for a coat of primer. By this stage, any necessary repairs have been completed, so the parts are considered airworthy. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

The Fuselage Frames from the previous image following primer painting. Once the paint has cured, they will be placed into storage to await the time when they can be refitted into the lower fuselage jig. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)