I was a recip mech in the AF. Our C-119's were so old that we always had enough extra parts to build a whole squadron of planes if needed. I learned another phrase there that's frequently come in handy: "Beat to form, file to fit, paint to cover"Awesome!glad you figured it out. you forgot the last part of that phrase![]()
"If it breaks it needed to be replaced anyway"!
and the part I personally like to add
"Or it wasn't needed to begin with".
Had a eye opener 15 years ago when I joined the Air Force as a jet engine mechanic and learned that extra parts after the job was done wasn't a good thing.