Save the Mangham-Wilson-Allen Streamliner!
Latest Update<[Photos (high speed internet access recommended)]> <[Background Information]>
(11/11/03)
All,
I've been writing some lengthy articles on the Streamliner. They're too large to e-mail with all the photos so I'm talking with Dave Howe and George Tuttle to post them on the NTNOA website or start a new one. In the meantime I thought I would send you a few e-mails of where we are and some interesting things we've found while working on the Streamliner. I'll keep the content small for those of you still with dial up (including me at home).
See <[Photos]> for an overall photo from the rear of the bike. You can see that the frame is bent where it fell off the stand at the museum on the right side. The frame was made using 2 Triumph frames, 3/4" tubing, and 3/8" tubing.
Dennis Tackett
Project Manager
From: Dennis Tackett <dennis.tackett@mci.com>
Subject: Ref: Save the Mangham-Wilson-Allen Streamliner
Hi Everyone,
Thanks in advance for help.
A lot of you know me through vintage racing, NTNOA, and being allowed to hang out at Big D and later RPM. Jack and Keith built my first Triumph ('73 Bonneville) and later my vintage roadracers (500cc B50 and TR5MX). I am forever in their debt for that and their personal friendships.
What you may not know is that professionally I have been a Project Manager for over 20 years for various companies. I have never failed to successfully complete a project, no matter how large or complex. Highlights of my career include many communications projects for the United States Government, United Nations, and embassies throughout the world. I was fortunate to be chosen by MCI in my capacity as Project Manager to mobilize one of MCI's emergency communications semi-trailer trucks after 911. Our truck was mobilized from Texas and was up and running on site in NY within 26 hours of the disaster. This truck provided free phone service for the victims, families, and rescue crews. I also mobilized an emergency crew to Guam after the typhoon hit last year and restored phone service to the island. I am so grateful to the museum to give me the opportunity to bring my professional expertise to bear on this most important project.
As Project Manager I will organize and direct all efforts. It is very important to stay focused and not waste efforts, as we have a very tight timeline. The museum intends to have their re-opening a year from this December. The streamliner will be at the re-opening ceremony. Our goal is to produce the most accurate restoration of the original 1955 streamliner as possible. This means all parts will be those available in 1955. Any machining/manufacturing must conform to 1955 era methods or at least emulate the appearance. We don't want it pretty or high-tech. This is a historical restoration. Also, it must run and roll. We won't use the methane/alcohol fuel used then, as this would be too dangerous to work with. We will use standard gasoline for fuel.
Any communications you desire to have with the museum must go through me. You can only imagine the monumental tasks they have. Not only do they have to try and restore over 400 of the 900 bikes damaged in the fire, they also have to restore the display facilities and convention areas.
I will bring sign up sheets to the meeting at Dave Howe's place at 1pm Saturday. Everyone must sign in. These sheets will ask for contact information, areas of expertise, ideas, parts, and hours/dates available for work. If you cannot be there drop me a note with the same information. After review of these sheets, you will be given work assignments and completion due dates. Do not sign up for anything you cannot complete on schedule. I must apologize to everyone in advance. I will probably irritate and p*ss off some, most, or all of you at some stage during this project. I get extremely intense professionally completing projects and I do not accept failure to complete a task. Be sure you can commit 110% to anything you sign up for. If you do not or cannot complete an assigned task on schedule it will be re-assigned to someone else. This means no excuses such as kid's ballgames, rides, meetings, work, sickness or death. If you die you will still be required to complete your assigned tasks before you are buried! This will be a fun and rewarding project and I look forward to working with all of you.
Also, we must try and keep from disrupting Keith's business at RPM. He has a shop to run and a living to make so I have received permission to stage the damaged bike in the back storage section when it arrives. This may or may not be the location of the restoration. If you have any questions, contact me, not Keith.
Below is my home number. Feel free to contact me anytime. I have also copied myself on my home e-mail if you need that also.
Best regards,
Dennis Tackett
Mobile: 214-402-1436
Home: 940-498-1240
From: Tackett, Dennis <dennis.tackett@mci.com>
Subject: Test message and status
Date: Tue, 04 Nov 2003 20:00:22 +0000
Hi everyone,
I've set up everyone on this distribution list as it was getting bulky with individual addresses. I'll send my trip report this week I promise. Been crazy at work. We did make some progress on the streamliner this week. I spent 3 hours on Saturday taking digital photos (240) of the streamliner so we'll have a reference. Also working on getting detailed measurements to get it done in 3D cad.
More to follow.
Dennis Tackett
Project Manager
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Revised: January 29, 2008.