It has been a while since our last Dauntless Update, and the eagle eyed amongst you will likely have noticed that the fuselage is still here at the Museum awaiting transport to New Zealand (much to the frustration of the whole team!). The shipping challenges we have encountered have slowed the project down, preventing the fuselage from arriving at Pioneer Aero's Ardmore, workshop on our anticipated schedule, but there is still exciting news coming in on the project.
The wings from Kermit Weeks' Dauntless project at Aerotrader have been a valuable resource for setting up the jigs and manufacturing replacement parts for the Museum's set of Dauntless wings.
Newly manufactured components for the SBD's wings at Aerotrader.
Newly refurbished components going back on one of the outer wing panels from Kermit Weeks' Dauntless project. This effort has been of great assistance to the Museum's Dauntless wings, under restoration at the same shop, since they have provided excellent patterns for the completion of both aircraft.
Another view of the wings from Kermit Weeks' Dauntless in the jig at Aero Trader.
As it happens, the wings from a donor SBD have been under restoration at Aerotrader in Chino, California for some time now. Kermit Weeks was kind enough to lend support to the project. The wings from his aircraft are in better condition than ours, and also under restoration at Aerotrader. With Kermit's support, his SBD wings have provided accurate patters (where needed) and also been incredibly helpful in preparing the jigs necessary for their restoration - greatly accelerating the completion of our wings. As a result both sets of wings are coming along smoothly and the Aerotrader team is currently finishing up the wingtips. They will also complete the Dauntless stabilizers in short order as well!
Restoration of the outer wing panels for MAM's SBD-5 are already well advanced at Aero Trader in Chino, California. This is the right wing.
Another view of the outer wing panels for MAM's SBD-5 at Aero Trader in Chino, California.
Nearly complete, after a long restoration effort, the starboard outer wing for Museum's SBD-5 sits in its jig at Aero Trader in Chino, California.
A view of progress on an SBD port outer wing panel at Aero Trader in Chino, California. Once completed, this component, along with the starboard outer wing, will make their way to Pioneer Aero Ltd in New Zealand for the completion of the Museum's SBD-5.
Similarly, the team at Pioneer Aero in New Zealand has received the first shipment of parts for our Dauntless. They have already begun working on some of these items, including the control surfaces, but remain eager to receive the fuselage! After removing a few of the larger parts in the shipping container, Pioneer has sorted the remaining items on shelves to improve accessibility. The pictures above show the container being unloaded, first at a bio containment facility where imports to New Zealand must undergo inspection, and then at the Pioneer Aero shop.
The container of Dauntless parts arriving at Pioneer Aero in Ardmore, New Zealand following a long journey from the United States. This particular shipment included components which the Museum acquired from Kevin R. Smith.
Dropping Off The Container. (photo Via Military Aviation Museum)
After removing some of the bulkier components, the team at Pioneer Aero has organized the remainder into neatly stacked shelving units for ease of future access.
Another view inside the Dauntless shipping container. The aircraft's Wright R-1820 Cyclone powerplant is seen under wraps in the foreground.