Horten H IX V3 “Bat-Wing Ship,” May 2014 Update
May 25, 2014
By Russell Lee
On April 24, we passed another milestone in preparations to move the Horten 229 V3 center section from the Paul Garber Facility in Maryland to the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia. Collections staff positioned the jet onto a new steel frame that will support and steady the artifact, and provide the solid base for a cover that will encapsulate the artifact during the journey by road.
Shop Foreman Rob Mawhinney conducts the symphony as forklift pilots Amelia Kile, Carl Schuettler, Anthony Wallace, and Carl Bobrow gradually lower the jet onto the stand. It was critical to keep the load level fore and aft and side to side.
Jennifer Stringfellow helps to spot for Rob on the forklift.
Rob signals a small adjustment.
With the center section in place, a contract welder fuses to the stand a fitting to which artisans will bolt the nose wheel yoke.
A contract welder fuses a fitting to secure the right main gear strut to the stand.
Collections Processing Unit staff member Anthony Wallace is working with transportation officials in Maryland and Virginia to obtain the permits required to haul the center section of the Horten 229 V3 over major highways around midnight to avoid traffic.
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