Cold War Air Museum at the Corsicana Air Show - Part 2

We've got a few more pics to share from the Cold War Air Museum visit to the Corsicana Airshow this year.

The Mi-2, as well as the Mi-24 drew plenty of interest.

Because the helicopters were perfectly happy to operate off the grass. More ramp area was made available for the fixed wing aircraft that needed a hard surface to park and taxi.

As Jon taxied by in the L-39, Andy got this shot of the Mils starting to develop lift power (and a UH-1 in flight behind them).

The top speed of the Mi-24 is well within the low end of the L-39's operational envelope, so Andy took several in-flight pictures of the Mil during his ride back to home base.

Thanks to Andy Nixon for sharing these additional photos with us.

CWAM at the Corsicana Airshow, Part 1

The Cold War Air Museum gets a fun opportunity to participate in the Corsicana Airshow every year.

The crowds enjoyed seeing our aircraft as well as a great many others.

Big kids and little kids are always fascinated to see flying machines, especially the Mi-24.

With the B-17 flying overhead and lots of other activities, there was plenty to see, hear and do.

Including getting your picture taken by our friendly guys.

The L-39 was a hit as well. With the price of fuel being what it is today, it is more of a burden for turbine aircraft owners to attend shows.

Old and new, a view of the B-17 on approach from the L-39 rear seat.

Thanks to Andy Nixon for sharing these fun photos with us. We'll have more soon in Part 2 of this series.

At the Cold War Air Museum - 14 May, 2011

Every weekend seems full of activity at the Cold War Air Museum. With an Airshow at Corsicana, Texas (KCRS) and visitors on the way to our Airport (KLNC), the day was loaded for work and fun.

With the Big Bird going to the show, Johnny was out early getting things ready.

All set, Johnny leads off in the Mi-2.

The faster Mi-24 soon followed with Coz at the controls. Andy Nixon joined us for the flight and we are looking forward to posting his pictures from the show soon.

And with the shortest flight time of all, Jon soon joined the others on the ground.

Not to be outdone by Corsicana, there was still plenty of activity at the home field.

With the establishment of an aerobatic box next to the airport, there is often additional activity like there was today.

A number of QB's and other visitors stopped by to enjoy the good weather and good company. We appreciate the visitors and donations received today.

Jan Collmer and his beautiful Extra 300, were among those welcomed.

And one of the other L-29's based at the field took advantage of the weather and good company to get out and get some exercise. There are few L-29's with better paint or detail than this one.

Of course, pretty planes attract pretty women. Dressed for a party they were attending later, these young ladies paused long enough to get their picture in today's post.

Just another beautiful day in Texas with great aircraft, great folks and great fun. Thank y'all and please come back again.

Mi-2 attends a Gala Event

The Cold War Air Museum Mi-2 and crew were recently invited to attend the 30th anniversary event at The Studios at Las Colinas.

We are fortunate to be in an area with so many talents and benefits.

Mike clears the area below for the Mi-2's arrival. The crew also kept a sharp eye on the weather. Dumping rain and hail to the South, the weather cooperated for this flight by providing VFR conditions with a dramatic backdrop of low clouds.

We received the Red Carpet treatment and many visitors, actors and executives had an opportunity to see the MI-2 and visit with Cold War Air Museum Associates at the Las Colinas Studios.

The "Gala" was a celebration and review of thirty years of television and movie production complemented by recent change and renovation by the Muller Group.

Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy, and Linda Grey from the TV show Dallas
were there and Cold War Air Museum Associates got an opportunity to briefly meet them and answer a few questions about the Mi-2 and the Museum.

The show must have been translated and watched in Eastern Europe as people would ask us about "JR" in our early travels there.

And Mike got to sit on the bench that played a supporting role in Forrest Gump while he watched hand rolled cigars being made. Life is even better with a box of chocolates and a good cigar.

With thanks to Mike, Johnny, Brad and Larry for crewing the event as well as Chris Williams for introducing us and sharing these pictures. More great shots from Chris and Bobbi can be found at the www.artsciencephotos.com web site.

Mi24 Bord 120, moving toward flight status

We never seem to be at a loss for projects around the Cold War Air Museum. Among other aircraft receiving attention last weekend was Mi-24 Bord 120. The second, soon to be flying, large Russian (former Bulgarian actually) helicopter based in Texas was scheduled to receive a new set of main rotor blades.

This project started with the new blades on the ground and the volunteers full of enthusiasm. The unique experience that these volunteers get working with associates on their aircraft attracts such aircraft enthusiasts.

The blades have to be hoisted about 5 meters up and aligned to the main rotor hub before they can be attached.

Don't let the look of scepticism fool you, Larry's seen this done before. I think he's just mugging for the camera. We are looking forward to doing articles on each of these associates new aircraft soon.

With a "Yo heave ho", a blade is brought over to the scissor lift that will be used to simplify and expedite the process. Improvising is no stranger to this crew.

Placed on padded saddles, each blade will be carefully raised and moved up to the hub for mating.

On approach, the crew holds her steady.

On short final, they are at the proper height and in the groove.

With minor adjustment, each blade slides easily into place. 

Hey Bruce, I've got cyclic and collective here, a blade on top and we're going up and down and back and forth. We are logging this as flight time aren't we?

Between helping and watching (with amusement), Johnny takes care of routine maintenance on Mi-2 Bord 211, cleaning the transmission filter. Johnny's motto of "Get 'er done, let's get 'em flying" is well applied here.

Spring Cleaning

As we prepare to take some of the aircraft associated with the Cold War Air Museum to local air shows, we are once again thankful for the support given to the museum by our volunteers.

The Mi-2, which is preparing to go to Corsicanna this weekend for their annual fly-in, is shown getting a well deserved bath. Someone passing by said "Hey, I didn't realize there were white numbers under there".

Thanks guys, we appreciate your work.

Mil Mi-2 Restoration Work Continues

Among the many projects at the Cold War Air Museum is the restoration of our Mi-2, Bord 212. When completed, we will be applying for airworthiness certificates for both 212 and 213 to join 211 on flying status.

As previously reported during the restoration of Bord 211, we have had to deal with some corrosion in these aircraft. For previous details, click on the labels at the botttom of this article to follow the various story threads.

After the fuel bladder was removed, cutting the old metal away exposed the fuel compartment. Areas within the compartment were inspected and treated as necessary.

The old skin was used as a template for all rivet and access panel hole locations to be traced onto a new piece of aircraft aluminum.

Charles then carefully cut and trimmed the new piece for a perfect match.

After the external strengthening pieces ("Hats") were riveted in place, the rivet tails on the inside were covered with Polykin tape to protect the fuel bladder.

Both the inside and outside were treated and coated before the hats and doublers, seen here in contrasting color, were reattached.

We expect the next step, "shooting" (riveting) the skin back on, will take place soon.

Mil, Mi-2 Bord211, gets a Garmin

In the old days, a pilot could land in a farmer's field and ask directions. At the Cold War Air Museum, our pilots would prefer not to have to do that. So they asked for something in the Mi-2 to tell them where they were, and where they might be headed.

Since their portable GPS kept slipping off the top of the instrument panel (and its hard to get a hand free to chase anything loose in a helicopter), we decided to secure a GPS in the panel.

The Mi-2 panel seems big, but from a human factors standpoint it has some drawbacks. Because of the seating arrangement, it is difficult for the co-pilot to reach the left side of the panel and the pilots knees can get in the way (contrary to U.S. helicopters, the pilot sits on the left). And, as might be expected, there is always a heated discussion regarding anything being moved or eliminated. In this picture, the old radio control head that will be removed is in the lower right corner.

With a bit of "adjustment" to both the opening in the panel and an AirGizmos panel mount, a Garmin GPS now snaps in place. A cover hides the empty mount (or the GPS) when desired.

As soon as the antenna and power wiring are completed, our guys will now be able to tell us where they're going (and perhaps where they've been). ;-)

To keep an authentic appearance while on static display, a decal or picture of the old radio may be placed over the blank cover. 

$100 Hamburgerski

A time-honored tradition among pilots is the "$100 Hamburger", a trip to another airport for lunch. The weather was so fantastic on Sunday that we decided to take Mi-2 Bord 211 out to get a Hamburgerski.

The Mil Mi-2 is a bit slow for cross country flight, but it has excellent visibility from which to view the Texas countryside.

Because it is an unusual aircraft,

the Mi-2 becomes "an airshow everywhere it goes".

Almost before Bruce can get his flight bag out of the Mil,

someone shows up to see the little helo and its crew.

Of course, in Texas, barbeque is the preferred Long Distance Lunch of choice. Hard 8 BBQ in Stephenville has an excellent selection of sausage, ribs, brisket, and other meats.

The Hard 8 is legendary among pilots and this last Sunday it more than lived up to its reputation... it was necessary for all pilots to recalculate Weight & Balance for the trip back!