RESTORATION DIARY
LOCKHEED TV-2

EXPLORE

THE HISTORY

The preservation of the 1950s vintage Navy TV-2 jet trainer is progressing well. After receiving permission to preserve the TV-2 jet trainer, the aircraft was brought indoors from the New England Air Museum's outdoor display yard to the restoration hanger on December 8, 2020 to start the preservation process.

Aircraft that must be exposed to the weather will inevitably deteriorate. This condition cannot be stopped. It can be mitigated and slowed to some degree. Preservation efforts will help slow the deterioration.

As an outside display aircraft, our current TV-2 preservation is designed to improve the exhibit as well as protect it. Our actions involve some disassembly but are not as detailed as a restoration. Our initial inspection of the Navy trainer found this aircraft to be in relatively good condition overall with some issues resulting from being outside for many years. None of these issues are are expected to have a negative impact on the preservation of this aircraft.

Summer 2023: Complete

Preservation of this aircraft is complete.

December 2022

The final stencils have been applied to the TV-2

December 2022

The final stencils have been applied to the TV-2

December 2022

The final stencils have been applied to the TV-2

December 2022

The final stencils have been applied to the TV-2

December 2022

The final stencils have been applied to the TV-2

December 2022

The final stencils have been applied to the TV-2

December 2022

The final stencils have been applied to the TV-2

December 2022

The final stencils have been applied to the TV-2

November 2022

Half of the aircraft markings have been completed

November 2022

The restoration team has started applying stencils to the aircraft

November 2022

The restoration team has started applying stencils to the aircraft

October 2022

The canopy has been repainted black to help preserve the cockpit

October 2022

The team has started on the smaller details

October 2022

Side view of the new paint job

September 2022

Painting has begun!

September 2022

Painting has commenced on the tail

September 2022

Painting has commenced on the tail

September 2022

Painting has commenced on the nose

September 2022

Painting has commenced on the nose

September 2022

Painting has commenced on the nose

August 2022

Following the preparations, primer paint was applied to the aircraft and the external fuel tanks. After light sanding or scuffing to all of the primed surfaces, the exterior white paint was applied to the tail section of the aircraft.

August 2022

The rest of the aircraft will be painted as weather permits (temperature and humidity). The final exterior paint scheme will be mainly white with some sections painted orange/red and other sections black according to the previous Navy appearance. Paint samples for the color orange/red were ordered and tested on the aircraft.

August 2022

The sanding and painting preparations were completed, and then the aircraft was washed, dried and cleaner applied.

October 2021

Both external wing tip fuel tanks were removed and mounted on a rolling stand to facilitate the paint removal process of both the wings and the tanks; the attaching points were in good condition.

October 2021

All access panels were opened and little corrosion was found; the areas were cleaned up and treated with a corrosion control solution to protect the metal. The Engine/Tailpipe section was cleaned and treated with a corrosion inhibitor (Note: there was no Engine or Tailpipe installed in the aircraft.)

October 2021

The canopy and opened cockpit area are in the process of being cleaned up and treated; all instrumentation was previously removed, boxed, and stored. The canopy has some cracking/crazing and will be sealed and painted with special paint for protection before it is returned for display.

October 2021

The main and nose landing gear were stripped and painted, strut areas were preserved, and all wheel bearings were removed and repacked with appropriate lubrication. Wheels were stripped, repainted, and bearings reassembled. Tires are in poor condition but are still holding air, so we do not plan to replace them.

October 2021

Aircraft paint removal was started after all markings were noted and recorded for reapplication after painting. At present the aircraft is approximately 60% sanded and the preservation effort is making steady progress.

December 2020

TV-2 Aircraft prior to being towed into the Restoration Hangar

December 2020

TV-2 Aircraft prior to being towed into the Restoration Hangar (rear side view).

December 2020

TV-2 Aircraft prior to being towed into the Restoration Hangar

Please check in later for more restoration updates.