I am finally back to producing more awesome decorative pieces & clocks using WWII era airplane parts. Christmas and the first part of this new year have kept me busy. I had to focus on the important things in life. Dakota Mechanic Studios is just a fun hobby and I am privileged to be able to share it with others. I currently have a couple items listed on Ebay. Click the Ebay tab to check them out. I hope to be getting some new pieces in to work with here pretty soon. Thanks so much for visiting my site.
Back At It
Feedback
This year I started Dakota Mechanic Studios. I had no idea how these old airplane parts would be received. When you create something, your hope is that people will like it as much as you do. Throughout this year I have been able to communicate with several buyers and I have not heard one bad comment. That puts a smile on my face. I love that people enjoy the item or items they purchased. In fact, I have had several return customers. But don’t take my word for it. Here are a few quotes from satisfied customers.
Delivered
A while back I published a post on some Pratt & Whitney R-1830 engine cowling that I came across at work which had the Golden Knights insignia on them. The Golden Knights are the U.S. Army’s parachute demonstration team.
For the past few months I have been in communication with the Executive Officer for the Golden Knights regarding delivering these pieces to their museum in Fort Bragg, NC. Just a couple weeks back, we took a family trip to Washington D.C. and Gettysburg, PA. We added to our plans a stop to the Golden Knights headquarters. I wrapped the cowling and strapped it to the top of our van. We stayed in a hotel the night before delivering the cowling. I was a bit leery about leaving them on top of the car, so I did what any other guys would do and I took them into the hotel. I received several strange looks and had to explain a couple times what it was I was carting through the lobby, in the elevator and up to my room. The next morning Major Gammon toured our family around the museum which was built fairly recently. The credit for such a beautiful facility goes to President George Bush Sr. who took a personal interest in the Golden Knights. Prior to the new location the Knights were housed in an old World War II barracks. The museum, which is worth seeing, displayed hundreds of trophies the teams have won over the years in competitions. In addition, many other Golden Knights historical artifacts were displayed. There was also a tribute to the team and pilots who lost their lives in a DC-3 crash in 1973. That same year is when the Knights began using other aircraft and retired the remaining DC-3. Major Gammon presented me with a Golden Knights DC-3 framed photo in appreciation for donating the cowling.
We were also shown around their hangar and were taken out to the airfield where the team was practicing. This stop on our vacation was definitely a highlight. The Major spent several hours with our family on a day he was supposed to be off. We appreciate his sacrifice and time. He went above and beyond.
Custom Made
As I have taken old airplane parts and made them in to functional pieces, I have found they are pretty popular. They are pretty unique and to tell you the truth, there are not that many pieces available. I think people understand this and I really believe that is why these items have been selling so well.
As I have been selling these pieces, I have heard from a fair amount of people that are interested in what is being sold but are making custom requests. Some would prefer that the items be unfinished while others still want them finished. Some like the clocks while others want to leave the clock out. There have also been requests for pieces to be “as removed”, all oily and dirty. I have enjoyed the challenge of meeting some of these requests. My point…if there is an item you like, but want it custom made to your liking, just send me a message. I will do my best to create an item you will treasure for years to come.
Shown below are just a couple more items I still have in stock that could be customized. The piston, piston pin and link rod set are from the Wright R-1820 Cyclone. These engines were used in DC-3′s and B-17′s among other planes. The piston, now made into a clock, was used in the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp engine. These engines were used in DC-6′s, F4U Corsairs, P-47 Thunderbolts and Hellcats.
The Master Rod at Work
I found a great, short video on Youtube the gives a cutaway glimpse into the workings of the radial engine. In this particular video, the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp is on display. You can clearly see the movement of the two master rods. These rods are the same type used in the making of the clock in my last post. This particular master rod weighs approximately 18 lbs. Each link rod, 16 total in this engine, weight close to 4 lbs each. The 18 pistons also weigh in the neighborhood of 4 lbs not including the piston pins. The weight adds up quickly with the complete engine weighing in at 2300 lbs. All this to produce 2100 hp at 2700 RPM. It is amazing to think that this was built on 1930′s technology.
Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp Master Rod Clock
Available now on Ebay auction
Powering several well known aircraft of World War II, the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp definitely made its mark on aviation history. Among those to use the 2800 was the popular F4U Corsair with the distinct inverted gull wings. Others include the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, the Grumman F6F Hellcat and the Northrop P-61 Black Widow. Production did not end with the war. Possibly the most notable post war aircraft to use the 2800 was the Douglas DC-6 which was used extensively in the airline industry as well as the military.
The 18 cylinder R-2800 is made up of two rows of 9 cylinders with each engine containing two of these master rods, one for each row of cylinders. Although this rod is un-airworthy, it is in beautiful condition. It is a perfect addition to a persons aviation artifact collection. The reflective chrome powder coat finish brings out the incredible workmanship of this great piece.
Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend
This venerable DC-3 was built in 1943 and was flow from the factory in California to England where she was used in the war. In 1980, after many years of service in England, this old bird was purchased by Missionary Flights International to be used in a new type of war so to speak. For 32 years she served Missionary Flights transporting mail, cargo and passengers all in support of missions and missionaries in Haiti, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. Those years were spent not fighting a physical world war but rather battling for the heart of man for Jesus Christ. Many stories could be told of this old girls history and at times it was easy to get sucked in to the tales told around the breakroom table. But all good things must come to an end. The radial engine DC-3 era is coming to a close at Missionary Flights as the turbine DC-3 takes its place. Back in May the sale was final and 5 of us went along as she was delivered to her new owner. It was a bit of a sad day as we said goodbye.
Check out the YouTube video I put together of her last flight with MFI
