General updates – flying m aeromotive – september 15, 2026
Stainless steel reworking in progress and cowling ribs into manufacuture.
general updates – aerometal international – september 15, 2026
3D scanning tests have begun and software learning is well underway. The lug material samples have arrived in Aurora and are being prepped to deliver to a local laboratory for metallurgical testing. Firewalls are in work and damage removal has begun. #1 R/H wiring harness is completed and ready for installation, #2 R/H Harness is assembled, ready for completion.
general updates – aerometal international – september 8, 2026
The right-hand wing attachment lugs are getting 3D scanned for accurate measurements of angular discrepancies. The right-hand gear door attachment box is being repaired, and new replacement parts are being manufactured and installed as needed due to fire damage.
general updates – aerometal international – september 1, 2026
Lugs have been removed from the right inboard wing section for damage evaluation. Nacelle ribs continue to be inspected and remanufactured. Repairs to the electrical harnesses are in work.
general updates – aerometal international – august 25, 2026
Nacelle components with fire and/or impact damage are being remanufactured from drawings. Parts are returning from heat treatment and moving into paint prep.
Wing Fixture UPDATES – AEROMETAL INTERNATIONAL – AUGUST 25, 2026
The main attachment lugs on the left inboard wing section were damaged upon impact. The damage tweaked the lugs just enough to cause an approximately 1/8th inch discrepancy across the entire fixture (highlighted by the 1/8th inch filler on the outboard side that allows the outboard main attachment bolts to be level in the fixture. The shims on the inboard attachments are there to account for heat warpage in the fixture, not to account for the 1/8th inch discrepancy.
general updates – aerometal international – august 18, 2026
The staging area for parts that are going to/from heat treatment and that are awaiting primer has been expanded. The nacelle halves are in work, with replacement ribs being built. New leading edge skins are being installed on the damaged aileron.
INITIAL INSPECTION – FUSELAGE CONDITION – august 18, 2026
general updates – aero fab – chino – august 11, 2026
general updates – aerometal international – august 11, 2026
The left inboard wing is in the process of being installed in the jig. Trailing edge and nacelle parts are going out for heat treat. These are the last components necessary to begin reassembly of subassemblies. Returning parts are being prepped for paint.
general updates – august 4, 2026
The inboard side of the jig has been confirmed and located based on the jig provided by AeroFab. Mounting blocks are being installed on the outboard side and fitment is being confirmed prior to hanging the wing.
X-ray inspections – august 4, 2026
Images of top and bottom spar cap from the right-hand wing show no spar damage found. See the first image for a sample of a crack. See the second image for a crack found in the casting directly adjacent to the spar.
general updates – july 28, 2026
Rockwell B-scale testing has been accomplished on both center sections, using the left wing as the sample to compare the right wing. The numbers on yellow tape represent the hardness reading at each test point (from an average of five (5) tests per point. X-ray inspections for the right wing are in progress to inspect the internal wing structure for damage. New skins are being made for the flaps. Inspection and paint prep for parts continues.
general updates – july 14, 2026
Cowlings have been sent to Flying M in Montana for continued structures work. Work is continuing on the wing jigs. New skins continue to be patterned and made using old skins as templates. Crates are being prepared to ship out to California AeroFab.
general updates – july 1, 2026
Disassembly of the inboard wings and nacelles continues. New skins continue to be manufactured from drawings. Identification and inventorying of parts continues. Removed parts are being paint stripped, inspected, and moved into paint. The second jig has arrived from Holland and is being assembled.
general updates – june 23, 2026
Inspection of wiring harnesses is in work. Work on replacement skins continues. The fire damaged aileron is in the jig and structural repairs are in progress. Identification and inventorying of parts continues.
Left side fixtures ready for delivery: june 22, 2026
Research Update: June 22, 2026
A20-G Havoc 43-21627 was delivered to 5th AF, 312th BG, 387th BS in June 1944. She flew combat missions based out of Nadzab Airfield, New Guinea. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair in November, 1944 by Japanese AA fire and was abandoned in New Guinea.
The 312th BG had a culture of unique nose-art on most aircraft, and a distinctive scull and crossbones on the nose which surrounded the nose-mounted .50 cal MGs. Research is ongoing to identify the unique letter designation of 43-21627 alongside any name or nose art the A-20G wore during her time flying combat missions in the South Pacific.
Below are two high-resolution photos of A-20’s assigned to the 312th BG in July, 1945.
general updates – june 17, 2026
New nacelle skins are being manufactured from original drawings. The right hand aileron has been installed in the jig for repairs.
general updates – June 16, 2026
The team has fully disassembled the Right Nacelle and has begun full structural inspections. A number of sheared rivets have been found in the Right Center section structure which will require deeper inspection to identify any and all sheared rivets. The fluid cells are removed and ready to be shipped to Aerofab.
general updates – june 10, 2026
General updates – June 3, 2026
Assembly of the jigs continues. Work continues on disassembly and parts inventory.
Fixtures Manufacturing Progess – May 28, 2026
The fixtures for the center sections have arrived and are being assembled in the hangar.
Fixtures Manufacturing Progess – May 19, 2026
The Left Hand fixture is completely fabricated. Each Fixture weights roughly 2500lbs. The Right Hand Fixture is ready to be assembled. All components have been precision laser cut for final assembly. Armatures are in-work with direct reference to drawings while being assembled to assure QC.
general updates – april 29, 2026
The right-hand aileron has been inspected for structural damage. Disassembly and inventory for the inboard wings and nacelles continues. The oil and fuel tanks are being removed. Flaps have been removed. The structures team is working on getting the nacelles ready for removal from the inboard wing sections.
general updates – april 22, 2026
The fire-damaged aileron has been stripped of fabric and is ready for structural inspection. Disassembly and and inventory for the inboard wings and nacelles continues.
general updates – april 15, 2026
Disassembly and cataloging of parts continues.
Fixturing Desgn and Reception of Parts – March 24, 2026
CAD design of the fixturing is underway and a local fabricator is standing by to make the fixtures next week. Outer wing sections have arrived at KUAO.
general updates – march 18, 2026
Disassembly and cleaning of the main gear assemblies has begun.
general updates – march 4, 2026
Inboard wing, nacelle, and landing gear assemblies have arrived.
