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Post by Supervee on Dec 12, 2012 17:14:04 GMT -6
As most of you are aware, My friend Charlie Terry Passed away in late October. Prior to that, a couple years ago, Charlie and I talked a few times about some sort of partnership , whereby I would completely re-build #14 (It had Burned), and He would build up a good engine for it. (Its race engine ended up on Blueberry)
Recently, the Terry family contacted me, and Bob, Charlie's son, asked me if I still wanted to restore it. The family wants me to have it.
This is huge for myself, and FV history buffs. Beetlebomb was the first very fast Sonerai 1, and set and held records for a long time. I am honored to become the new caretaker for this aircraft. I will restore it to its original paint, and details, in honor of Charlie.
I plan to put it in the shop alongside #31, and work on them simultaneously. I will leave Veebee #77 on the back burner for a while.
Sooo....Hopefully, in the next two weeks, I will be traveling to Long Island to retrieve her. Right now I am trying to figure out how to procure a suitable vehicle for the trip. My truck is 'getting old'......
As well, Once I get #14 home, I will be in the market for some badly needed components.......
I am rapidly becoming a Formula Vee warehouse........Ed
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n3480h
Junior Member
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Post by n3480h on Dec 13, 2012 18:17:36 GMT -6
Its a very fitting thing that you should have your friend's plane, and that you will restore it. I wish I had parts to donate, but most of my stockpile is probably not suitable for a FV Sonerai. However, I will offer machining services at no charge for small parts if it will help the cause.
Tom
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Post by Supervee on Dec 13, 2012 18:44:50 GMT -6
Thanks Tom......Beetlebomb was a beautiful Sonerai, and I hope to make it that way again. I would like to get a picture of it in its heyday posted here. To see a picture, go to formulav.com and look under 'meet the racing teams'..... I don't know what small parts I will need yet....I imagine I will have to make gear wedges out of aluminum, most everything that was aluminum got melted......There's quite a restoration to do, most people would throw it in the dumpster, but I have a passion to do it. As of right now, I think I will be going up on the 22nd to bring her home. 2.5 days round trip......Ed
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JoeB
Full Member
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Post by JoeB on Dec 13, 2012 23:07:45 GMT -6
Wow, that is great Ed! What an honor to have an opportunity to restore this history making Sonerai (no one better than you to do it!). I wish I had some free time to assist you with this trip!
Keep us updated, maybe a workday, or weekend, in your hangar could be scheduled to assist you in the near future?
You probably need to get a good look at the project first, but is the goal to make Beetlebomb airworthy again or for display?
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Post by Supervee on Dec 14, 2012 8:24:28 GMT -6
Thanks Joe.......My goal is to rebuild her to flying/racing status. There will be some improvements made from my years of experimenting with Blueberry, but the paint job will be done to replicate the original, other than the omission of the 12" tall N-Number on the side....I will retain the #14 on the fuse. side, and put small #'s on the tail....
I have to re-build some tubing structure ahead of the Inst. panel, but thats not a big issue with me.
After the first of the year, like, towards spring, I will be working weekends on it.....maybe we can get together at that time. On the real cold days, my fab. shop is not the warmest. My wood and fabric shop is warm, but it is filled with a Kitfox project for the winter......Ed
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n3480h
Junior Member
Posts: 53
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Post by n3480h on Dec 17, 2012 21:11:13 GMT -6
I can do precision gear wedges. Just send a dimensioned freehand drawing and 2-3 weeks notice and I'll get them made for you. Probably already have the stock on hand. Again, no charge, because it would be an honor to have some small part in the restoration of this classic aircraft.
Tom
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Post by Supervee on Dec 17, 2012 21:27:06 GMT -6
Tom, Thanks so much....I will send you a good, dimensioned sketch as soon as I have everything in order. ......I have the trip all set, and one week from today, Lord willing, Beetlebomb's remains will be in my shop.
Once I get a chance to really look over what I have I will be putting a task list together. I will tackle the fuselage re-build first. Bob Terry said he may have some video of #14 in action. Hope to get copies of those!!
As I said, I will make some developed improvements during the re-build, but nothing that will take it away from the classic look it had in 1975. This racer flew in the very first FV race, June, 1977 at Sturgis, KY. I was there and saw it as a pylon Judge. My own Blueberry did not fly for another year after that. This will be an exciting, rewarding restoration in Charlie's honor...Thanks for everyones interest and help.....Ed
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JoeB
Full Member
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Post by JoeB on Dec 18, 2012 1:45:20 GMT -6
I can do precision gear wedges. Just send a dimensioned freehand drawing and 2-3 weeks notice and I'll get them made for you. Probably already have the stock on hand. Again, no charge, because it would be an honor to have some small part in the restoration of this classic aircraft. Tom Hi Tom, For consideration, would you make a second set of blocks for my S1 while you are at it? I would be more than happy to cover the expenses for materials, your time, and shipping! Best Regards, Joe |
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JoeB
Full Member
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Post by JoeB on Dec 18, 2012 1:50:10 GMT -6
Tom, Thanks so much....I will send you a good, dimensioned sketch as soon as I have everything in order. ......I have the trip all set, and one week from today, Lord willing, Beetlebomb's remains will be in my shop. Once I get a chance to really look over what I have I will be putting a task list together. I will tackle the fuselage re-build first. Bob Terry said he may have some video of #14 in action. Hope to get copies of those!! As I said, I will make some developed improvements during the re-build, but nothing that will take it away from the classic look it had in 1975. This racer flew in the very first FV race, June, 1977 at Sturgis, KY. I was there and saw it as a pylon Judge. My own Blueberry did not fly for another year after that. This will be an exciting, rewarding restoration in Charlie's honor...Thanks for everyones interest and help.....Ed Thank you for sharing this journey with us Ed! And if you get a copy of those videos, please upload them at some point! I've watched the 2 or 3 FV videos that are available online several times and really enjoy them!!! Please take photos of your travels back home with #14 and drive safe! -Joe |
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Post by Supervee on Dec 18, 2012 13:44:09 GMT -6
Thanks, Joe, we will see what video I actually get, and go from there....In the future, I have a bunch of raw video from various races that you might be interested in.....Ed
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Post by renegade on Dec 18, 2012 18:56:35 GMT -6
First, Merry Christmas to all!
Second, Bettle Bomb could not be going to a better home!
Lex
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Post by Supervee on Dec 19, 2012 5:38:04 GMT -6
Lex....Yes, Thank you....You may be the only person on this forum who has actually raced against Beetlebomb...Cincinnati, 19??......Ed
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n3480h
Junior Member
Posts: 53
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Post by n3480h on Dec 19, 2012 18:10:43 GMT -6
@joe: PM sent.
Tom
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Post by Supervee on Dec 24, 2012 18:11:06 GMT -6
I am home from New York, with Beetlebomb. The trip was over saturday and sunday, and the round trip was over 1600 miles.....I have everything For Beetlebomb that would fit in the Van. Was not able to fit the Engine Shortblock. Spent today sorting thru all the stuff, and am anxious to get started on the restoration.....When it stops raining, I hope to at least get the fuselage and a wing outside for a few photos......Ed
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Post by renegade on Dec 24, 2012 18:12:47 GMT -6
Ed,
I did not race against Beetle Bomb,,,,I followed it around the pylons in the ill running Renegade! I think he lapped me once, and the Vwitt twice. It was 1981 in Cincinnati. We also got to go round and round in Cleveland in 1979 when Tim Gibson let me fly his Sonerai. I was crewing for Vernon on the Renegade in 1976 at Sturgis KY the first time I met Charlie and Beetle Bomb.
Lex
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