July 10, 2005
In preparation for moving the hull to the Museum of Flight for display, the hull is loaded onto the trailer.
Note that the cowling artwork is complete. In searching for a sign painter to complete the artwork, Dixon found the sign painter who originally painted the hull in 1962-65!
The artwork was actually painted on mylar and transferred onto the tail assembly after the fact.
To load the hull onto the trailer, 4 forklifts were used. The lifting tube was secured to the underside of the tunnel, and an I-beam ran perpendicular to it in front of the boat. This allowed a forklift to lift on either side, while leaving enough room for the trailer to get through.
One forklift was used to carefully lift on the transom. Dixon used a third forklift to push the trailer under the boat. It was then slowly lowered onto the trailer.
Next step will be to install the display motor. The motor has been cosmetically restored to the same visual that the team ran in 1965, but does not have any internal components.
The running motor is in the process of being assembled.
Read MoreNote that the cowling artwork is complete. In searching for a sign painter to complete the artwork, Dixon found the sign painter who originally painted the hull in 1962-65!
The artwork was actually painted on mylar and transferred onto the tail assembly after the fact.
To load the hull onto the trailer, 4 forklifts were used. The lifting tube was secured to the underside of the tunnel, and an I-beam ran perpendicular to it in front of the boat. This allowed a forklift to lift on either side, while leaving enough room for the trailer to get through.
One forklift was used to carefully lift on the transom. Dixon used a third forklift to push the trailer under the boat. It was then slowly lowered onto the trailer.
Next step will be to install the display motor. The motor has been cosmetically restored to the same visual that the team ran in 1965, but does not have any internal components.
The running motor is in the process of being assembled.
