Floyd Bennett Field & HARP Hangar
I hadn't been over to the HARP Hangar at FBF since watching the C-54 depart in 2009, so I took a ride over this afternoon. As I got close, I saw N412PD circling over the water nearby, so I went to check it out. It appeared as if they were conducting an exercise, with a few NYPD boats and their divers.
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After the excitement outside was over, I headed on in to the HARP Hangar
NYPD Grumman Goose
http://www.moose135photography.com/A...20_kVJ4o-L.jpg
They are building a full-size replica of Wiley Post's Lockheed Vega "Winnie Mae". This is the wing - 41 foot wingspan, cantilevered wing (no external struts/bracing). I was talking with one of the volunteers who designed the wing structure they used; it was interesting to hear what went into it.
http://www.moose135photography.com/A...51_dR9x9-L.jpg
A look inside the wing.
http://www.moose135photography.com/A...51_MT4BZ-L.jpg
The last time I was there, this S-2E was parked outside.
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Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
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There was a crew working on the C-97 - it is not part of the HARP collection, it is owned by the same group that owns the Berlin Airlift C-54.
http://www.moose135photography.com/A...18_opi86-L.jpg
I was speaking with one of the workers, he said it will be about a year before it is ready to fly again. They were running tests on the landing gear, including having the FAA certify the gear operation. While I was there, they raised and lowered it a couple of times, including one test of the manual extension system. With work on the gear out of the way, they will be moving to the engines next.
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It appears this is all that is left of that red Vega replica that used to be in front of the Aviator sports center.
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