News and Current Projects

N161JP....This T-28 'C' model came to us after barely surviving a hangar fire sparked by a lightning strike.There was considerable cosmetic heat damage, as well as several structural concerns which took over 18 months to repair. Upon completion, our efforts were well rewarded by winning the "Judge's Choice - T28" award at this years Sun-'n-Fun '08, as well as having an article documenting our work published in the Warbird Digest - May/June 2008 edition.

N392W....This T-28 'B' model came in during a scheduled progressive maintenance visit with some suspicious deformations. There was considerable buckling of the fuselage skin over the left wing root. Upon further investigation, damage and a previously unrecorded repair was discovered. The lower longeron had cracked and been welded and rivetted to a steel U-channel butress. This repair was amateurish and illegal. This discovery prompted us to begin a complete replacement of the affected longeron damage, which included the removal of almost half of the pilot side fuselage skin, and internal components (flap and speed brake assemblies and actuators, etc.).

N29BS....This T-6 came to us for an extensive annual inspection and overall refurbishment. Besides a new traditional paint scheme, some of the items we replaced were anti-chafing strips on all fairings and new safety glass for the entire front and rear cockpits. Our attention to detail resulted in a much improved aircraft, with smoother control-surface and power response.

N11FE....This FM2 Wildcat was trucked into our facility from Kissemmee,FL with an unusable Wright R-1820-56 engine that had 'made metal' due to a bent link rod and an improper start-up procedure. We documented all the attachments and linkages, and removed the engine for overhaul, only to find out that the engine was beyond repair. A different newly overhauled engine will be arriving shortly for re-installation.

....We've started to make connections with the entertainment industry, because of their use of vintage aircraft. We recently fabricated parts for a C-47 used in the next James Bond movie, which was being filmed in Chile, as well as repairs to a Lockheed Electra which will be used for a movie about Amelia Earhart, being filmed in Canada (both of these planes are owned by Frank Moss -the owner/operator of Shell Creek Airport in Punta Gorda,FL). We also manufactured a camera mount system which replaced the vertical stabilizer cap on another T-28. This aircraft will be used for a future PBS documentary.

At this time, we sadly note the death of a dear friend of ours. Delton, an integral member of our staff recently passed away after a short illness. Well known in the warbird community, his immense experience and knowledge of T-28s helped get Trudeau Warbird Enterprises off the ground, and his personality, charm, and integrity will be sorely missed. Thank you, Delton, for being a part of our family.

....in the upcoming months we will be involved in several interesting projects, such as the dis-assembly and containerizing of a T-28 for shipment to Sweden.... completing the restoration of another trophy class T-28...and possibly the restoration of a Korean era F9F Panther jet.