Kermit Weeks has posted a new update on the restoration of his extremely rare Seversky P-35A.
As previously reported, the machine was acquired years back in a trade with the USAF Museum and is reportedly one of only three remaining examples of the single seat fighter, which was introduced in the mid-1930s and saw limited action at the beginning of WW2. It came from the Swedish Air Force and was stored in underground bunkers during the war, which resulted in significant pitting and surface corrosion. Additional damage was sustained when Hurricane Andrew struck Kermit’s by Florida-based Fantasy of Flight attraction in 1992. When complete, this will be the only airworthy example of the type in the world.
The new update reveals the structure of the port wing panel following removal of the skins and details some of the work that will need to be carried out in order to restore the panel to new condition. Click below to check it out.
Here, he has drilled off all the upper skins on the left wing.
This is the inboard section looking down from the top.
Posted by Kermit Weeks on Monday, May 20, 2019
This is the landing light area.
Posted by Kermit Weeks on Monday, May 20, 2019
This is out at the tip, where he has also drilled off the bottoms skins. You can see my reflection in the lower skin of the right wing behind it!
Posted by Kermit Weeks on Monday, May 20, 2019
Here's a shot showing the inboard part of the wing at the rear spar attached to the gray steel wing jig butt plate. We…
Posted by Kermit Weeks on Monday, May 20, 2019
This shows an idler arm that is part of the aileron push-pull tube system.
Posted by Kermit Weeks on Monday, May 20, 2019
At the tip, we also have a butt plate that will keep the correct twist and alignment of the wing for when it goes back together.
Posted by Kermit Weeks on Monday, May 20, 2019
Here, the complete left wing is out of the jig except for where the extruded wing attach angles are still bolted to the…
Posted by Kermit Weeks on Monday, May 20, 2019
Here's a shot from the other end, clearly depicting the polished right wing. The upper side of the right wing is…
Posted by Kermit Weeks on Monday, May 20, 2019
Lastly, here are the yet-to-be deriveted sections of the left wing. EVERYTHING here will be drilled apart, cleaned up, primed, re-riveted back together, and then installed back into the jig for final assembly!
Posted by Kermit Weeks on Monday, May 20, 2019
(via Kermit Weeks Top Photo: Valder137 via Wikimedia Commons)
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