HISTORIC AIRCRAFT RESTORATION

Patrick LawrenceAP English Literature and

CompositionKathy Saunders

Introduction to Aircraft Restoration

Future career choice There is a lot more than just

disassembling, polishing the plane, and reassembling the aircraft. Salvage what you can from the aircraft Make molds of destroyed parts and recast

them Exact measurements, no more or no less. Has

to be exact. Correct riveting

Discoveries Most restores gather a group of investors

to fund the aircraft and restoration. Very few restores pay the full amount out of their own pocket.

As long as the original airframe is being used in the restoration, it is still considered an original restoration not a replica.

Most aircraft that are restored today are raised from the bottom of lakes or oceans.

Product I created a video using pictures I took

while with my mentor. I also created a scale model of the aircraft I was working on.

Mentor Tom Reilly Mr. Reilly has been restoring WWII aircraft

for 43 years. He has restored a total of 36 aircraft back

to flying condition and not one of his aircraft have been in an accident. (knock on wood)

What I learned

Mr. Reilly gave me a crash course in aircraft restoration. Throughout the day he taught all kinds of techniques, rules, and no no’s in aircraft restoration.

I learned how to shoot rivets, read a micrometer, make dimples for the rivets and screws.

Mentor Hours I spent 16 hours with Mr. Reilly We spent most of the day riveting pieces

to the aircraft.

Obstacles Traveling to meet my mentor Finding a long weekend that worked for

both of us.

Interesting Facts Mr. Reilly has restored 11 out of the 33

airworthy B-25 bombers. The XP-82 restoration has taken five

years so far and Mr. Reilly expects it to be finished in two more.

Mr. Reilly is 72 and is not plan on retiring anytime soon. He has another project lined up and is still looking for more.

Q & A Thank you for your time .Are there any

questions?