|
HISTORY
RECOVERY
RESTORATION
NEWS COVERAGE
PHOTOS
LINKS
GG GIFT SHOP
|
Restoration of Glacier Girl
Restoration of Glacier Girl began in January of 1993, after all
shipments of aircraft parts from the dig were finally gathered
together. The restoration was being done in Roy Shoffner's
(project financier) hangar in Middlesboro, Kentucky. Under supervision of
Bob Cardin (project coordinator for the 1992 expedition) warbird
specialists began their task by disassembling
the massive center section. After initial deconstruction of the
plane began, it was evident that damage was more extensive than
what appeared on the surface. The more they took apart, the more
damage they found. The plane had to be taken apart down to the
smallest manageable pieces, making sure each piece was marked for
later identification. Parts were then cleaned and checked for
functionality to determine if it could be used again, repaired for
use, or replaced entirely. Damaged parts served as templates for
construction of replacements.
Aiding in the process of restoration, an extensive research
library was compiled. For research and copy fees of $1,200, the
Smithsonian Institution supplied eight reels of microfilm and
stacks of photocopies of era aviation maintenance handbooks, parts
and repair manuals. Cardin's team, using the acquired documents,
managed to more or less duplicate the original construction
process carried out in the 1940s.
|
Spring of 1993 saw the beginning of actually rebuilding the plane,
the main spar being the starting point. Clicos -- temporary fasteners
resembling bullets -- were used so parts could be attached and
removed to ensure proper fit and to be certain no pieces were
overlooked.
Parts were much cheaper to acquire than creating molds to
fabricate new ones. Finding them proved to be another adventure in
itself. Cardin said he and Shoffner had visited people who claimed
to have P-38s, only to discover unrecognizable piles of
aluminum that wouldn't pass as airplane parts. They felt like
they spent more hours playing detective than actually
acquiring parts. Even when parts were located, owners were
reluctant to part with them. |
INSTRUMENT PANEL
BEFORE |
AFTER |
 In one case, Cardin found a needed set of engine cowling
replacements, only to be told he would trade them for a Wright
1820, a rare model of aircraft engine. Cardin found one, traded
for that engine and then traded for the cowlings. Another part
needed was a control yoke. After several months search Cardin
found one, but the owner was unwilling to part with it. Cardin's
persistence, along with a little luck, finally led him to a
warehouse where he found two hundred of them. The owner of the
warehouse didn't realize what they were!
Interested parties also donated their expertise in goods and
services to the project. Companies such as B.F. Goodrich Aerospace
in England rebuilt the landing gear and brakes, and a Pennsylvania
company fabricated a new canopy. An aviation mechanic volunteered
to rebuild the Allison engines for the cost of parts. The
electrical system was replaced in the same manner.
When this project
was completed, Glacier Girl was one of the
most perfect warbird restorations ever. "This is going to be the
finest P-38 in the world, and it may be the finest restoration of
any warbird ever done," said Cardin.
Work
completed, thousands of people, from veteran aviators and
aviation buffs to curious onlookers, come to a hangar in
Middlesboro, Kentucky, to see a not-so-forgotten piece of history.
|
NEWS COVERAGE,
PHOTOS, LINKS
|
 |
|
