Here is some info on the Avenger. TBM bureau number 91188 was delivered to the United States Navy during WWII from the Eastern Aircraft Division of General Motors. Following her retirement from the U.S. Navy # 91188 saw extensive service in the hazardous role of fire bomber for the U.S. Forestry Service based at Davis, California from 1956-1964. She would continue in this role through 1969 with Georgia Forestry Commission in Macon, GA. After her distinguished career as a fire bomber 91188 transitioned between various private owners throughout the country ultimately finding herself at the Valiant Air Command, Inc. in 2002. For nearly 18 years the VAC TBM has been undergoing an extensive restoration to flight by our skilled restoration personnel.

On January 11th, 2020 she returned to skies for the first time in several years a testament to the hard work and dedication of our volunteers. Our aircraft is painted in the colors of the Flight 19's Commander, Lt Charles Taylor the lead aircraft for one of the greatest unsolved disappearances in Florida State History. Five Avengers departed NAS Ft. Lauderdale in 1945 never to be heard from again. To this day the search for the 5 missing TBMs continues to be the focus of many historical and dramatic accounts and films.

To maintain and keep these old Warbirds alive is costly, with the significant insurance cost and parts and required maintenance to support these amazing beautiful pieces of history. If you'd like to support our efforts to keep these gems flying please leave your donations here.

https://valiantaircommand.netw...TMSO0KFo9bENARaOFUwU

I heard the first restoration took 18 years. I wonder how long this one will take.

Cslinger, just seeing an Avenger in the air is like standing in a time warp. (I don't live very far away from the VAC.)

Atmosphere on Mars? That was 1950's Science Fiction/Fantasy until recently proven.

So is the reality of rockets re-landing under their own power. It's like finally, the Sci Fi of my youth is coming true.

Next, we'll be reading that Perseverence is finding artifacts of Barsoomian airship battles.

Don’t hold your breath for flying cars.

quote:

Originally posted by cslinger:

quote:

Originally posted by RichardC:

quote:

Originally posted by cslinger:
My biggest takeaway is ..... it’s 2021 and I just read about a TBM Avenger ditching in the water.....little bit of a brain reboot and a “huhwhatnow?” Thought.

Juxtaposed with trying to comprehend the science fiction-no-fact that there is enough atmosphere on The Angry Red Planet to sustain the flight of a winged aircraft from Earth.

I know I’m gonna kick myself for this and I am fully prepared to own up to my dumbassery.....but I don’t get it???

NASA just flew a helicopter on Mars this week.

It's now for sale.

https://www.controller.com/lis...on-military-aircraft

Under description it says "Water Landing Damage. Yes, Cocoa Beach."

I think he had the best view of what was below and that the picture doesn't give a good perspective of the relative distance he was from swimmers.
He did a good job in my view.
I've seen videos of much more questionable engine off highway landings.

Any landing you can swim away from...

quote:

Originally posted by Sigmund:
It's now for sale.

https://www.controller.com/lis...on-military-aircraft

Under description it says "Water Landing Damage. Yes, Cocoa Beach."

150 hours since major overhaul. Normally, that'd be a superior selling point. However in this case, it's of no matter whatsoever.

quote:

Originally posted by pedropcola:
I heard the first restoration took 18 years. I wonder how long this one will take.

Generally you can restore one of these warbirds in a year or two, IF you're willing to throw money at a certified professional company that spends money on it, versus waiting on qualified volunteers to do it at their pace.

From the perspective of a mechanic who has done these restorations and maintained these aircraft in a working condition, there aren't any short cuts. Short cuts, or attempts at them, wind up like the Collings Foundation B-17. It takes more than money.

A full restoration of a wrecked airplane is ALWAYS far more extensive than one expects. Those wrinkles on the surface are the proverbial tip of the iceberg. Add the corrosion from going in the drink, and this aircraft will need to be dismantled. Not simply major components de-mated and inspected, but de-skinned and broken into components. When dealing with an airplane for which replacement parts are not available, all repairs must be fabricated, and major alterations or repairs require engineering and approvals, and the paperwork and approvals alone get quite costly.

In a situation such as this, the cost of repair will certainly exceed the value of the finished aircraft. The reason that the aircraft isn't a write-off is that with a historical artifact, the value is not only monetary, and the issue isn't one of not exceeding the economic value. Very expensive to own, very expensive to operate, nearly prohibitively expensive to overhaul or rebuild, don't look for a quick return to service with this airplane.

Someone will do it, but it won't be fast, even if it's put in a repair station around the clock.

Non pilot guess, but I would say the worst case scenario for a pilot would be engine failure just after takeoff and during the climb out. No time or altitude to address the emergency.

My guess is that it will end us as a static display somewhere.