932 crew crafts replica C-40 wings Published March 15, 2009 By TSgt. Dan Oliver 932nd AW Public Affairs SCOTT AFB, Ill. -- Master Sgt. Jimmie Evans was given a simple additional duty task--build a replica of a C-40 wing and paint it the same color scheme. Oh yes, it had to be mobile and completed in 90 days. Sergeant Evans and four other 932nd Maintenance Squadron reservists from the sheet metal shop were up to the challenge. The idea belonged to Col. Jeff Johnson, 932nd Airlift Wing (AW) vice-commander, and the wing maintainers took it from there. The completed project was on display at the Air Force Human Relations Development Council (HRDC) conference. The C-40 replica wings were a hit at the HRDC annual event. Sergeant Evans said the question asked most about the display was "who was the contractor?" "I'd say that's quite a compliment." Sergeant Evans, who is NCOIC of the sheet metal shop, said he didn't work from blueprints. "I just went out to the C-40, took a few measurements and we went from there," he said. He was able to use traditional and ART reservists who volunteered for the project. "I was also able to use the project for upgrade training which was great," he said. The team used polished aluminum to construct the wings. This allowed the maintainers to bend, fold and crease the wing into shape. No rivets were used, just an industrial adhesive. Sergeant Evans said the polished aluminum is also used for stock cars. He pointed out the five-man team fabricated ribs, stringers and molds for items that defied conventional designs. The team was able to figure out problems on the fly. Since the wings had to be mobile, Sergeant Evans decided to bolt them onto folding tables. The replica wings are 1/40th in size to the C-40's wing span. "I'm extremely proud of the effort by my team," he said. The maintainers on the project were Master Sgt. Mike Jenkins (ART) and Tech. Sergeant Randall Riddle and Senior Airmen Wade Bjordahl and Christopher Frye. Not surprisingly, the replica wings were dedicated to all members of the 932nd AW. Currently, they are in storage and will be used for unit functions, recruitment drives and other events.