New to Me Tripacer Bushmaster - tubing corrosion

[Steve Pierce]

Tubes do not rust from the inside unless someone has drilled a hole in the tube which allows moisture in. Dirt on the longerons is the biggest issue we see. We cover the belly first and pretty much encapsulate the lower longerons with fabric after we blast, epoxy prime and paint with catalyzed polyurethane (Ranthane).
IMG_20180528_153049.jpg

IMG_20180528_153003.jpg

[jayemtl]

I said tape, but it I think it's actually some other material Milo had wrapped the lowers in.

You can see some surface corrosion on the welded intersected joints in these pics.

Bushmaster - 1 of 1.jpegBushmaster - 1 of 1 (1).jpegBushmaster - 1 of 1 (2).jpeg



Tapping all along the lowers, they 'sound' solid (as much as that can tell me from my very limited experience).

Plane is going to need fabric in the future I believe anyway as it's just over 30 years old at this point, but this gives an idea of what I'm seeing in terms of rust on tubes in the lower tail area. All uppers are pristine and forward in the cabin etc have no rust at all. I guess from the tail constantly in the 'splash zone' over the years is why the moisture has done its thing to the lowers?

Library - 1 of 5.jpegLibrary - 3 of 5.jpegLibrary - 4 of 5.jpegLibrary - 5 of 5.jpeg

[Steve Pierce]

I don't see any blisters, bubbles etc. Clean and treat. Glue in some inspection rings for access if needed.