A side-on view of the SBD's lower rear fuselage mounted to its restoration jig prior to major disassembly, which began in recent weeks. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
A side-on view of the SBD's lower rear fuselage mounted to its restoration jig prior to major disassembly, which began in recent weeks. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

Overview:

In a recent update, Nigel Lowen fabricated a jig for holding the SBD’s lower rear fuselage and mounted the subassembly atop it. He has now begun the process of disassembling and restoring the structure, starting by removing the forward skins all the way back to Fuselage Frame #13. He de-riveted the associated stringers as well (except for the keel stringers). Several of the stringers proved to be reusable following their inspection after removal, with others requiring repair or replacement.

The SBD’s lower rear fuselage following after Nigel Lowen removed some of the forward skins and stringers. He had also detached Fuselage Frame #9 at this point too. The vertical structure visible in the middle of the fuselage forms part of the platform for mounting the radio, radar and battery units. (image via Pioneer Aero)
The SBD’s lower rear fuselage following after Nigel Lowen removed some of the forward skins and stringers. He had also detached Fuselage Frame #9 at this point too. The vertical structure visible in the middle of the fuselage forms part of the platform for mounting the radio, radar and battery units. (image via Pioneer Aero)

An image showing the SBD's partially disassembled lower, rear fuselage as seen from the righthand side. This aspect provides a better view of the interior structure which forms part of the mounting platform for the radio, radar and battery units. (image via Pioneer Aero)

A similar view to the one depicted in the previous image, only from the airframe’s lefthand side. Note the two square holes further down the fuselage; these are the ports where the parachute flares could be deployed from. (image via Pioneer Aero)

These are some of the stringers from the SBD’s lower rear fuselage during disassembly. They have had an initial bead-blasting to permit inspection. Sitting on the floor at the bottom of the image is a section of donor fuselage which has the arrestor hook mounts. These may be used if the original components from B-22 prove unrestorable, a detail which will be determined subsequent to their removal. (image via Pioneer Aero)
These are some of the stringers from the SBD’s lower rear fuselage during disassembly. They have had an initial bead-blasting to permit inspection. Sitting on the floor at the bottom of the image is a section of donor fuselage which has the arrestor hook mounts. These may be used if the original components from B-22 prove unrestorable, a detail which will be determined subsequent to their removal. (image via Pioneer Aero)

This view shows the lower rear fuselage during disassembly, as seen from the lefthand side looking aft. The skins have been removed all the way back to Fuselage Frame #13. The stringers running back to Fuselage Frame #13 have also been removed, with the exception of the keel stringers, which are the strongest part of the structure in this area. These stringers also carry the arrestor hook mounting components. Sitting proud of the skin are two triangular mounts which attach to the tail hook. (image via Pioneer Aero)

The SBD’s lower rear fuselage during disassembly. This shot is from the lefthand side looking forward; some of the skins and Fuselage Frame #9 have been removed. Inside the frames, one can see the mounting structure for the radio, radar and battery units. Closest the camera is the lefthand mounting point on the jig for Fuselage Frame #12, which had been removed by the time this image was captured. (image via Pioneer Aero)

The SBD’s lower rear fuselage during disassembly. The most prominent component here is the forward face of Fuselage Frame #13, with the skins and stringers forward of that frame having already been removed, with the exception of the keel stringers. Sitting proud of the skin are the two triangular mounts where the arrestor hook attaches. (image via Pioneer Aero)

Another view of the SBD’s lower rear fuselage during disassembly. Sitting beside the lower fuselage is one of the skins which has just been removed. (image via Pioneer Aero)

Fuselage Frames #9 & #12:

With the skins and most of the stringers detached from Fuselage Frame #9, Lowen was then able to complete its removal from the fuselage. He then disassembled the frame into its component parts, media-blasting these and inspecting them regarding their potential airworthiness. The smaller parts deemed restorable have since been tidied up and coated with primer paint. There was a little damage to the flange on the frame’s lefthand side, which Lowen has repaired with a newly-fabricated splice. He also removed Fuselage Frame #12 from the jig and has bead-blasted it for inspection.

The forward face for the lower half of Fuselage Frame #9 just after its removal from the jig. Frame #9 formed the leading bulkhead in the SBD's lower rear fuselage. The diaphragm delineates the aft end of the gunner’s cockpit; it also served as a barrier to prevent spent shells and links from traveling down into the aft end of the fuselage, where they might have interfered with control cables. (image via Pioneer Aero)

The forward face to the lefthand, lower half of Fuselage Frame #9 is seen here sitting atop the righthand half (hard to see). It has been bead-blasted and is awaiting repairs to make it airworthy. The damaged outer section of the flange has been removed, with a replacement section fabricated and about to be installed; note the row of holes drilled along the frame face (by the missing flange) at the lower right of the image. (image via Pioneer Aero)

This pulley bracket is part of the system which controls the arrestor hook. It is one of several parts removed from Fuselage Frame #12, sitting at its lowest point. The pulley has received an initial bead-blast to allow for its assessment, which has likely occurred by now. (image via Pioneer Aero)
This pulley bracket is part of the system which controls the arrestor hook. It is one of several parts removed from Fuselage Frame #12, sitting at its lowest point. The pulley has received an initial bead-blast to allow for its assessment, which has likely occurred by now. (image via Pioneer Aero)
The aft face for the lower half of Fuselage Frame #12 following its removal from the jig. It was bead blasted and found to be in airworthy condition. The painted bracket at image center sits on the inside of Fuselage Frame #12; it holds the forward end of the arrestor hook shock strut. This bracket is original to B-22. The other small components (and Frame #12 itself) are awaiting primer painting. (image via Pioneer Aero)
The aft face for the lower half of Fuselage Frame #12 following its removal from the jig. It was bead blasted and found to be in airworthy condition. The painted bracket at image center sits on the inside of Fuselage Frame #12; it holds the forward end of the arrestor hook shock strut. This bracket is original to B-22. The other small components (and Frame #12 itself) are awaiting primer painting. (image via Pioneer Aero)