Warbirds Online has the latest news on the progress on the 3 Lockheed P-38 Lightning rebuilds being undertaken by Robert Grienert and the team at Historical Aircraft Restorations Limited at Albion Park NSW.
Regular readers will recall our News article “Lockheed P-38 Lightning Warbird Restorations” dated 28 October 2020. However, while on a recent visit to the facility we were surprised to see the rapid progress of work that has taken place. The two complex engine / main landing gear nacelles which were being structurally completed in October last year have now been finished internally. On the day of our visit were being trial fitted to the center section of the static first P-38 Lightning to ensure their accuracy and fit prior to being exterior skinned.
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- P-38 Lightning nacelles trial fitted
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- Lightning engine nacelle mounted in fit jig
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- P-38 Lightning engine nacelle
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- P-38 Lightning nacelle underside
It was quite a sight to see these items of the P38’s construction fitted without any major adjustment – a testimony to the skills of the Team at Albion Park. Even the jigs used to fit the two nacelles are a work of art being fully adjustable to allow for precise adjustment during fitting to the center section.
Now that the Nacelles are deemed to be accurate they will be removed and all internal detail finalized then fully skinned prior to being finally refitted. Much work has already been completed on the tail booms and horizontal stabilizer so these will logically be the next items fitted.
The first fuselage pod is also reaching final structural completion and will have all the internal details completed including cockpit fit out prior to its trial fitting to the fuselage. Once its accurate fit is confirmed it will be removed, skinned a finally fitted.
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- Lockheed P-38 Lightning fuselage pod
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- P-38 Lightning fuselage pod dismantled for final fitout
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- P-38 Lightning static example centre section
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- Lockheed P-38 Lightning tail booms
The first set of outer wing panels which are also under construction will complete the basic structure of this static P38 restoration. Following on from this all of the necessary components required to complete the aircraft including landing gear, external removable panels, cockpit glazing, Undercarriage doors, wiring and hydraulic systems and numerous detail items will be added. As anybody familiar with aircraft restoration knows, “the devil is in the detail” and the fit out takes a lot of time and patience to complete.
Warbirds Online will continue to follow and report on these great Warbird restorations. We thank Robert Grienert and the team at Historical Aircraft Restorations Limited at Albion Park NSW for their access and assistance in preparing this article.
© John Parker 2021
As a 97 year old veteran who flew P38s with the 475th FG during WWII I am delighted to see the work underway by Australian Warbirds to restore these magnificent aircraft.
Hi Walter
Thank you for taking the time to let us know about your connection to the P-38’s. We’re also very happy that they are restoring these aircraft. We’ll be keeping you updated as work progresses.
Kind regards
John
I am sooooo excited to discover some truly fantastic WWll aircraft are being restored at HARS the P38 and Beaufighter in particular. I never thought I’d see either of these fly so I’ll be keeping watch on the progress and though I’m in Adelaide I’ll be looking at a visit …..somehow.
Hi Shaun
Were excited too and we’ll keep readers posted on the progress.
Kind regards
John
I have been involved with 42-12647 since 1967 when I first visited her, and then in 1978 having transferred to the Papua New Guinea National Museum, I organised its recovery by the Papua New Guinea Defence Force. I have a large collection of slides that show the recovery.
The original nose section for 42-12647 was missing at the time of its recovery as it had been illegally recovered and despatched to the United States about 1969. The first major task was to located and bring back to Port Moresby a nose section in fair to good condition. This was found with 42-12847 and our volunteer aircraft engineer restored it and temporarily affixed it to the aircraft. For some incomprehensible reason the basically restored nose section was left in Port Moresby when Mr Grienert brought back to Australia the outer wings, booms and tail sections. We even had located one nose door from an F-4 Lightning and to make the aircraft look a little better it was affixed to the nose section. This brings me to the next question: Why was the centre section with the main and nose undercarriages, left in Port Moresby?
I understand the first project is to restore the National Museum’s aircraft first so this must be 42-12647 the aircraft depicted in your photographs.
Incidentally, the name “Dottie from Brooklyn” was never applied to 42-12647. It was applied to a G model, and have advised Justin Taylan (Pacific Wrecks) of this error.
I have been in personal contact with a number of ;pilots from the 39th Fighter Squadron who flew both aircraft mentioned in this comment, presenting Jack Dunbar a blast tube from his aircraft, #847. (That aircraft had a caricature painted on its nose.)
I returned to Australia in mid-1988 thus I was not involved in anything further in PNG except for continued contractual work with the US Army on recovering crew remains from a multitude of crash-sites throughout PNG.
Hi Bruce
Thank you for your information, your involvement with the aircraft is most interesting. We suggest it would be best to discuss your questions with Mr Grienert himself. We are reporting on the ongoing restoration and have no information about the recovery of the aircraft.
Kind regards
John
Dottie From Brooklyn was flown by my Grandfather…Corky Smith! I had know idea about any of this until recently. He would have been thrilled!
Paul Watson
“Dottie from Brooklyn ” was my grandfather’s playing, Col. C.M. Smith or “Corky!” If he were alive today he would be thrilled with the fact that this plane is being restored! Is there a projected date for restoration completion?
Paul Watson
Thank your for getting in touch. No there is no timeframe for completion.
Kind regards
JOhn
Greetings,
If able to discuss I was curious if the airworthy example being restored is destined for the U.S. and if so what is its serial number? Additionally what facility might it be headed to in the U.S. if you are able to discuss.
Hi Brian
Thanks for reaching out. I’m sorry we can’t shed any light on the information that you’re requesting.
Kind regards
John
So my Grandfather flew the original “Dottie From Brooklyn” P-38, Corky Smith, an Ace Fighter pilot. I was under the impression this was his old plane…is that not the case?
Hi Paul,
We are don’t have any information to shed on your comment, sorry.
Kind regards
John