The Old Fly Guy Network
Our mission is to provide a platform to engage with leaders in the general aviation marketplace. Exploring the background of these leaders and how their journey in general aviation began. Discover what drives these aviators to share their knowledge. Learn what these aviators see for the future in aviation. Discuss the lighter side of aviation and be inspired to take to the skies to follow our dream of flying.
The Old Fly Guy Network
What It Really Takes to Restore a Warbird
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Step inside the restoration hangar at the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum and meet the people bringing aviation history back to life.
In this first episode of our restoration series, we introduce three passionate volunteers working on the legendary Douglas SBD-1 Dauntless—an aircraft that played a critical role in World War II and is now being carefully restored piece by piece.
From custom-built tools and hand-formed aluminum skins to decades of experience in machining and aviation maintenance, this team represents the heart of what makes restoration possible. Their work isn’t just technical—it’s deeply personal.
Built on a foundation of Culture, Attitude, Teamwork, and Service (C.A.T.S.), these volunteers are preserving more than an aircraft—they’re preserving the stories, craftsmanship, and legacy of those who came before.
This is just the beginning.
In the next episodes, we’ll go deeper into the skills, stories, and dedication behind one of the most remarkable aircraft restoration efforts in the country