Floyd Bennett Field & HARP Hangar

[moose135]

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.

http://moose135.smugmug.com/Airplanes/NYPD-Aviation-Unit/JM20100821NYPDAviation006/977841264_g9Qk9-L-1.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/Airplanes/NYPD-Aviation-Unit/JM20100821NYPDAviation007/977841292_ARZyw-L-1.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/Airplanes/NYPD-Aviation-Unit/JM20100821NYPDAviation003/977841155_nohVZ-L-1.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/Airplanes/NYPD-Aviation-Unit/JM20100821NYPDAviation004/977841187_B5343-L-1.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/Airplanes/NYPD-Aviation-Unit/JM20100821NYPDAviation005/977841253_qnRgL-L-1.jpg

After the excitement outside was over, I headed on in to the HARP Hangar

NYPD Grumman Goose

http://www.moose135photography.com/Airplanes/Air-Museums/Floyd-Bennett-Field-HARP/JM20100821HARPNYPDGrumman004HD/977921920_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/Airplanes/Air-Museums/Floyd-Bennett-Field-HARP/JM20100821HARPVega001/977922851_dR9x9-L.jpg

A look inside the wing.

http://www.moose135photography.com/Airplanes/Air-Museums/Floyd-Bennett-Field-HARP/JM20100821HARPVega002/977922951_MT4BZ-L.jpg

The last time I was there, this S-2E was parked outside.

http://www.moose135photography.com/Airplanes/Air-Museums/Floyd-Bennett-Field-HARP/JM20100821HARPS-2E002HDR/977922636_MqdoW-L.jpg

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

http://www.moose135photography.com/Airplanes/Air-Museums/Floyd-Bennett-Field-HARP/JM20100821HARPLockheed004HDR/977921072_XYddm-L.jpg

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/Airplanes/Air-Museums/Floyd-Bennett-Field-HARP/JM20100821HARPC-97001/977919718_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.

http://www.moose135photography.com/Airplanes/Air-Museums/Floyd-Bennett-Field-HARP/JM20100821HARPC-97003/977919977_LKvdk-L.jpg

http://www.moose135photography.com/Airplanes/Air-Museums/Floyd-Bennett-Field-HARP/JM20100821HARPC-97004/977920048_adQha-L.jpg

It appears this is all that is left of that red Vega replica that used to be in front of the Aviator sports center.

http://www.moose135photography.com/Airplanes/Air-Museums/Floyd-Bennett-Field-HARP/JM20100821HARPAviatorScrap001/977918898_maNfF-L.jpg

http://www.moose135photography.com/Airplanes/Air-Museums/Floyd-Bennett-Field-HARP/JM20100821HARPAviatorScrap004/977919370_9DZaN-L.jpg

http://www.moose135photography.com/Airplanes/Air-Museums/Floyd-Bennett-Field-HARP/JM20100821HARPAviatorScrap005/977919546_kFm6P-L.jpg

[cancidas]

nice! i remember that day the C-54 departed very well. can't wait to see angel of deliverance flying again!!

[moose135]

i remember that day the C-54 departed very well.
Run, Forrest, Run!

http://www.moose135photography.com/Airplanes/Warbirds/Berlin-Airlift-C-54/JM20090318MattC001/494258034_f4RXK-L-1.jpg

[cancidas]

wow i still had my beard back then.

[Cary]

Sorry, I couldn't help myself:

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u36/soak2179/run.jpg