Thursday, May 29, 2014

Help Us Fly Again: TBM Avenger - The Rocky Mountain Wing of the Commemorative Air Force

After 20 years of airshows displaying the aerial combat history of our greatest generation, our TBM Avenger suffered a collapse of the left main landing gear while taxiing at a Phoenix airshow. Help her fly again to teach adults and children about WWII. 

 


Historic WWII aircraft collapses, in need of repairs 

DENVER - A functioning torpedo bomber, which The Rocky Mountain Wing of the Commemorative Air Force volunteers say is the largest, single-engine airplane used in WWII, was grounded recently after the plane's landing gear collapsed during a show.

"She fell on her face," Commemorative Air Force volunteer Rob Duncan told 9NEWS. "The landing gear went down [while] she was just taxiing along and she fell down on her side."

Now, those dedicated to preserving the piece of history are working to raise the funds needed for repairs.

The bomber, known as the Grumman TBF Avenger, is normally housed in Grand Junction, but since the incident occurred in Mesa, Ariz., the plane is being repaired there.

The hefty plane weighs approximately 18,000 pounds, and the fall created multiple problems, according to Duncan.

"The engine costs $65,000, the propeller is $20,000 and almost all the bodywork is all going to have to be hand-formed," Duncan said. "We are using the original blueprints from Grumman we got from the Smithsonian to make all of those parts."

The Commemorative Air Force comprises 160 airplanes scattered in 60 units across the United States, according to Duncan. Known as the world's largest flying museum and headquartered in Texas, the organization functions without federal funding.

"It's supported solely by contributions," Duncan said. "We normally go to between 15 and 20 airshows with the [TBF Avenger] airplane. [Selling] tickets and giving tours of the airplane [is] how we make most of our money."

Besides being present at multiple events throughout history, the Avenger has also been a major feature at the 1940s-WWII era Ball and the Boulder Airport Open House in June for years now.

"We had five proposals done on the [TBF Avenger's] wing during the show [last year], but this year, although the CAF will be in [at the open house], she won't be able to do the Boulder because she needs a little work," Duncan said.

You can make a donation to help repair the TBF Avenger at http://www.rockymountainwingcaf.org.


Source:   http://www.9news.com


Courtesy:  The Rocky Mountain Wing of the Commemorative Air Force

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