View Full Version : Tadpole's Stinson Project
Tadpole
07-31-2010, 11:29 PM
I picked up a Stinson 108-2 today. Project bird. Sorry guys, but this was a good deal and local.
Throttle Pusher
08-01-2010, 12:15 AM
Well you finaly took the plunge!!
Congrats!!
So... is that a 2 place or 4? You know your going to have to take out a couple of wing ribs to be a short winger.
Well maybe not a true short winger but.....
How long before you get her up and running? and oh WE NEED PICTURES!!!
Ken
Tadpole
08-01-2010, 12:20 AM
Well you finaly took the plunge!!
Congrats!!
So... is that a 2 place or 4? You know your going to have to take out a couple of wing ribs to be a short winger.
Well maybe not a true short winger but.....
How long before you get her up and running? and oh WE NEED PICTURES!!!
Ken
Ken, it's a 4 seater...not like I'll use all 4 seats...just like with a Pacer. I had been shopping for Pacers and Stinsons, and came across this "sort of" barn find. It wasn't up for sale. The guy had looped it 6yrs ago and stuck it in the hangar. It's sat since. I heard about it, tracked down the owner and called him...and here I am with a plane.
I need to repair the right wingtip, replace left wingtip, recover left wing, repair lower cowl, and find a prop to hang on it. I figure maybe 3 months...depends on how my work schedule pans out this fall.
Tadpole
08-01-2010, 12:26 AM
I still would like to get a Pacer and trick it out one day with a 180hp, CS prop, and so on.
Throttle Pusher
08-01-2010, 12:34 AM
Looks like a nice airplane.It will definitly give you something to fly while your building your dream Pacer.
Ken
Tadpole
08-01-2010, 12:39 AM
Looks like a nice airplane.It will definitly give you something to fly while your building your dream Pacer.
Ken
Unless I build the Bearhawk that's been sitting on my shelf for a few years...hahaha! So many planes, so little money and time!
Throttle Pusher
08-01-2010, 12:52 AM
You can always make the time if you have the mone!
Stephen
08-01-2010, 01:02 AM
TP....good for you!! I've never met a Stinson owner who did not love their plane.
Troy Hamon
08-01-2010, 01:27 AM
And I've never met a Stinson owner...but I've heard they love their planes. I love the way the well-kept ones look. There's one at Naknek that doesn't look like it is much short of a core for a rebuild...it doesn't look so good...but there are a couple Pacers like that down there as well...yours looks remarkably nice for a project. A pretty manageable project, I would think. Happy wrenching!
Curly
08-01-2010, 01:48 AM
It's a nice looking jigger! :cool:
I am sure you can have a foot in both camps - bit like having two girlfriends at once! :rolleyes:
P.S. We won't hate yuh if you get us breakfast in bed the morning!
rmalone
08-01-2010, 06:32 AM
We looked at Stinsons before buying our Pacer.. I would like to do a refurb on one some day and put the 200 hp Lycoming with a constat speed prop on it. They are beautiful airplanes.
Clayton Harper
08-01-2010, 07:10 AM
Piper at least sold Stinsons in 1949. I have a copy of a sales brochure showing the 108 with all of the Piper products. I think you'll like the way the Franklin runs.
d.grimm
08-01-2010, 09:35 AM
Tadpole,
Cool airplane, looks much to nice to be a project. So what are you going to cover the wings with? Keep us in the loop, always like watching a project come together.
Dave
GeronimoDriver
08-01-2010, 04:36 PM
Stinsons are indeed a most worthy atmospheric conveyance. They are one of the smoothest flying planes around. The gear will spoil you though, you'll miss it when you get a Pacer. :)
congrats on getting a plane, I was afrad you got a 172 or something... (not that there is anything wrong with that).
Stephen
08-01-2010, 08:18 PM
[QUOTE= I was afrad you got a 172 or something... (not that there is anything wrong with that).[/QUOTE]
Aaron...what are you thinking???...NOTHING WRONG WITH A CESSNA!!!
smcnutt
08-02-2010, 10:01 AM
Very nice looking plane! We do need more pictures and details.
Glad to know you'll be in the air soon.
Rick-CAS
08-02-2010, 11:51 AM
Tadpole,
It looks like a great barn find and it's equipped well. Should be an easy repair too. You do have the fabric ailerons it looks like. According to my research the Piper/Stinson 108 had fabric coverd ailerons instead of the stamped metal skin used by Stinson. So your still a Piper owner in my book.
Sid Brain
08-02-2010, 12:24 PM
Tadpole,
You can probably count on filling all 4 seats. I owned a Siinson 108-3 for several years. You are going to LOVE it. I suggest you join the International Stinson Association at once. (used to be The Southwest Stinson Club)they are nice folks and have lots of good information on Stinsons. Get every book and manual you can find, since there are not to many mechanics around that have Franklin experience. I would still be flying mine if I had won the battle with the pine trees (pilot error). I think the fact that I am still flying is a testimony to how tough Stinsons are. I could not find another one as nice as the one I crashed, bought my TriPacer to fly 'till I found one, loved it so much I quit looking. After nine years I still miss the Stinson when I need to carry a big load. Congratulations, keep sending those pictures.
Thanks,
Sid
Sid Brain
08-02-2010, 12:28 PM
Tadpole,
Try www.stinsonclub.org
Sid
Andrew K
08-02-2010, 12:42 PM
Congrats! I won't hold it against you, I figure we (pilots) are all on the same team after all.
Get ready to have a lot of fun working on and then flying YOUR new bird, it is a reward worth every penny spent.
Tadpole
08-02-2010, 12:44 PM
Thanks guys. Sid I've been looking at the Stinson Club stuff for quite a while, will be joining now. I've been a member of the Stinson Yahoo group for a year or so just lurking and learning since I've been looking at Stinsons and Pacers this whole time.
Throttle Pusher
08-02-2010, 08:33 PM
So.... You've been two timein UH !!
Jinkers
08-04-2010, 11:57 AM
Congratulations Tadpole, Looks like a nice one. When you get it flying let me know and I'll hop down for a look.
BTW - I should finally get mine out of the shop this week.
Tadpole
08-04-2010, 03:43 PM
Congratulations Tadpole, Looks like a nice one. When you get it flying let me know and I'll hop down for a look.
BTW - I should finally get mine out of the shop this week.
Awesome, I was hoping you'd get your Pacer flying again soon!
Tadpole
08-10-2010, 12:34 AM
It's official, I for sure own it now. I got it all moved to the shop and mostly cleaned up. I still need to clean the wings, I couldn't move them by myself. This week / weekend's goal is to find out for sure what parts I need to buy / fabricate to repair the wingtips so I can get those done and ready for covering.
Also, even though I bought a Stinson, i learned so much from all of you here in the Short Wing world, thanks so much. I figure if this goes well I might be more apt to buy a project Pacer and trick it all out. Still love the Short Wings!
Steve Pierce
08-10-2010, 05:43 AM
Congratulations Jason. The fun now begins. ;-)
Tadpole
10-08-2010, 08:23 PM
Well the update...I've been slacking off on posting it here. I hope the pictures show for you all.
I got the plane all washed up shortly after I got it towed over to my friend's hangar.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs247.snc4/39685_1550117878779_1410062979_31440258_6837607_n. jpg
I pulled the interior and brought it home to work with on days I didn't feel like running out to the hangar. The wood panels are in pretty good shape.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs267.snc4/39685_1550117918780_1410062979_31440259_2706944_n. jpg
The aft floorboard is trashed so I need to make a new one. Also brought all the parts to wet sand / polish home too...makes my wife happy when I can stay at home and still work on the plane.
I came across the original Voyager yoke plates and stuck those on for an updated panel shot. I don't like how the radio stack sticks out. I will eventually see about making it flush, seems to be some limits on how far back it can go though.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs247.snc4/39685_1550117958781_1410062979_31440260_3627638_n. jpg
It took some time to research what parts I lacked to start reassembling the wings, then I decided to buy a rivet gun and bucking bars as the squeezer a friend loaned me wasn't working so hot.
Finally reassembly started. My expertise at drilling out bad rivets grew faster than my expertise at driving good rivets, haha. I started with the right wing as it had the least amount of repairs to be done. This past Sunday I finished getting it all put together. This took much longer than I anticipated, but it really was because I had to study the drawings to see how to assemble it. I didn't have anything to compare it too, and since I didn't take it apart, I didn't know how it went together. Turns out some of the stuff had been incorrectly assembled in previous repairs. Now that it's done, I can use it as a reference for reassembling the left wingtip.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs047.snc4/34699_1628689763027_1410062979_31632456_4239082_n. jpg
Hoping to get out there this Sunday and Monday and make a pretty good dent in fixing up the left wing. My goal is to get the wings done so I can get them covered and painted before it gets too cold. But honestly, after they're painted, there's not much left to do. The thing I have to keep reminding myself is that my goal here is to repair and fly. I keep getting sidetracked by disassembling more and heading down the road of restoration...which I don't have the time or money for yet. The plane is really in great shape to begin with, so it'll still be nice with just my repairs.
I'm looking forward to getting it flying. The problem I'm going to have is that I'm really getting into this project stuff too. I might have to find something to build / repair after I get the Stinny up.
Steve Pierce
10-08-2010, 09:18 PM
Jason, Looking good. Is there a good Stinson forum?
Tadpole
10-08-2010, 09:25 PM
Jason, Looking good. Is there a good Stinson forum?
Not that I've found. There is a Stinson Yahoo Groups. Seems like the standard drama where forums were attempted and everyone stuck with the yahoo group list / email deal. The International Stinson Club has a forum, but it doesn't seem to be very active.
GeronimoDriver
10-08-2010, 09:44 PM
Yahoo groups are so 1995... :) Nice looking Stinson there, closer to flying than mine... I love the original wood and the instrument panel. Where did you find the yoke emblems? Does anyone make them for the Pacer?
Tadpole
10-08-2010, 10:11 PM
Yahoo groups are so 1995... :) Nice looking Stinson there, closer to flying than mine... I love the original wood and the instrument panel. Where did you find the yoke emblems? Does anyone make them for the Pacer?
Thanks Aaron. I'd love to pick up a Pacer project after I get this flying. I yoke emblems were actually in the boxes of parts that came with my purchase...originals. There is a guy that has found a way to remake them, he's linked on one of the big Stinson web pages somewhere. I'm sure there's somebody that's done a Pacer one by now, but I don't remember seeing any. Though I wasn't looking for them either.
Troy Hamon
10-09-2010, 12:52 AM
I know what you mean about getting into the project thing. We had to decide what we wanted to tackle when we went through ours as well. It is tempting to just pull it down to the cage and do the GeronimoDriver project, because that is the way to know every piece of your airplane, top to bottom. But it is also the way to not fly your airplane for a long time...so we didn't do that. We did a major project firewall forward and did lots of cleaning and repair or replace as necessary everywhere else. So far so good. I kind of want to see the big project of airframe restoration, but we have good fabric and no airframe issues, so it would be absolute silliness. Maybe someday. Hopefully while I have another plane to fly. I like the project, but I like flying better...
Throttle Pusher
10-09-2010, 12:13 PM
Tadpole
the plane looks like its coming alone quit nicely.Keep at it you'll be flying it in no time at all.
I'm still waiting for the last of the paper work on mine,hope to be flying by the end of the month.
So much for this last summer,at least it wasent wasted,I'll have a nice a/p for next summer and beyound.
Now for the next projact Hmmmmm...
Tadpole
10-11-2010, 11:09 PM
Well I didn't get to spend as much time at the hangar this weekend as planned. Things come up you know, like the wife wanting to go look at flooring....
So I went out for a few hours today and got a couple things done. To finish up a few things on the right wing I cut down a grommet to make a custom fit for the wiring to pass through the wingtip for the position light and strobe. I also got schooled on setting the drag wire tension...of which I ordered a better tool to use to set it than my finger...so I can get that finalized once it arrives.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs397.ash2/67505_1639896003176_1410062979_31655884_1597475_n. jpg
Then I started on the left wing. All I had done to this point was clean it. The previous owner had removed most of the damaged parts already, and cleco'd in the new spar tips. Here's a pic of how it sat when I started today.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs824.snc4/68487_1639895403161_1410062979_31655881_7925404_n. jpg
So I removed the bad nose and main rib.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs793.snc4/67317_1639895843172_1410062979_31655883_6539828_n. jpg
Then I match drilled the forward spar tip, along with drilling out the holes to rivet on the drag wire attachment block.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs824.snc4/68490_1639895603166_1410062979_31655882_5350205_n. jpg
I ran out of time and had to do "home" errands, so that's it for now. Next up is continuing to work on the left wing! I'm in a race against the temperatures now. I want to get the wing covered and painted before it gets too cold.
Troy Hamon
10-12-2010, 12:47 AM
Progress...looks nice. Why the issue with temperatures?
Steve Pierce
10-12-2010, 06:43 AM
What tool did you order for setting the drag and anti-drag wires?
Tadpole
10-12-2010, 08:35 AM
Progress...looks nice. Why the issue with temperatures?
If it gets to cold the chemicals don't set right.....at least that's my understanding.
Tadpole
10-12-2010, 08:36 AM
What tool did you order for setting the drag and anti-drag wires?
A big assed spring scale!
Tadpole
10-16-2010, 07:36 PM
I got in several more hours on my left wing today. Here is how it looked from the last time I left it...
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs793.snc4/67317_1639895843172_1410062979_31655883_6539828_n. jpg
And this is how it looks after today...the outboard main rib is cleco'd in at this point, but the spar tips are riveted on.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs420.ash2/69857_1648042766840_1410062979_31672248_3157800_n. jpg
I need to order a cherry max tool, there's a handful of spots I can't buck rivets into. Plan to go out tomorrow and finish assembly of the wing other than the rivets I can't get in right now. Although I may not get it done, that long trailing edge piece is gonna be a pain in the butt!
Steve Pierce
10-16-2010, 09:04 PM
A Marson's hand pop riveter will pull a Cherry rivet.
1622
Bob Mac
10-16-2010, 09:58 PM
I had a 108-2 in the late 60's. LOVED it. One of the strongest small airplanes ever designed. Only sold it because I could get half interest in a Staggerwing for the $ I could get by selling the Stinson. Things were different in those days!! I predict that you'll soon be "hooked". My daughter, the MD-80 Captain, was a pre-schooler at that time and riding around with me in the Stinson was what hooked her on aviation. Even at that young age. Good luck and lots of fun!!
Bob
Tadpole
10-16-2010, 10:17 PM
I mis-typed...I'm waiting on cherry max rivets to come in, I have a tool to install them.
Tadpole
10-17-2010, 07:58 PM
Alright, today's update...
I went out the hangar and spent the first hourish figuring out how much fabric, tapes, chemicals, paint, and so on I need to get. Then a friend stopped by for a look see. Then I got to work. I was able to use a different bucking bar and buck all but one of the rivets I thought I'd have to end up using a cherry max in. So that's good. I got all the way to the wingtip mounting and positioning the trailing edge skins.
So compared to the last image from yesterday above, here's the visual progress today...
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs024.snc4/33560_1649906773439_1410062979_31676468_2565858_n. jpg
Throttle Pusher
10-17-2010, 10:20 PM
Well you know ... while you have the wings torn apart you could put some droop tips on.
It seems I'm not happy unless I;m modifing something on the plane. Dont let this bug get you. it leads to not flying as much and empty wallet syndrome!!
Of course if you have a project to work on while your flying your current plane.....
Tadpole
10-17-2010, 10:32 PM
Well you know ... while you have the wings torn apart you could put some droop tips on.
It seems I'm not happy unless I;m modifing something on the plane. Dont let this bug get you. it leads to not flying as much and empty wallet syndrome!!
Of course if you have a project to work on while your flying your current plane.....
Oh trust me, I've considered the tips many times...then I remind myself this is repair to fly...not modify....yet.
Tadpole
10-23-2010, 10:35 PM
What tool did you order for setting the drag and anti-drag wires?
Well Steve, I've done some learning and decided I'm not going to use the scale idea all the folks around here have been telling me about. I'm trying to track down an actual Flying Wire Tensionmeter to hopefully borrow. It's $241ish at Aircraft Spruce, but I really only need to check my tensions and set both outboard bays, would rather just rent / borrow one. We'll see, might end up just buying it though.
Stephen
10-23-2010, 10:46 PM
Well you know ... while you have the wings torn apart you could put some droop tips on.
It seems I'm not happy unless I;m modifing something on the plane. Dont let this bug get you. it leads to not flying as much and empty wallet syndrome!!
Of course if you have a project to work on while your flying your current plane.....
Ditto!!!!!!
Steve Pierce
10-24-2010, 04:42 PM
Done many a Piper wing with a fish scale and they all squared up and bolted up no problem.
Tadpole
11-06-2010, 09:31 PM
Didn't get much done today. Put in all new clamps in the wings and secured the wiring and new pitot tubing. Tomorrow's plan includes tensioning the drag wires, putting on the final leading and trailing edge skins, and maybe install the fuel tank. I pressure tested it a couple weeks ago and found some leaks that I was able to tighten up, so it's good to go now.
Monday I go pick up my order of all the poly-fiber materials, paint, and so on.
Jinkers
11-06-2010, 09:51 PM
You're moving right along with that thing. At the rate your moving it will be flying before mine is. Believe it or not it's still in the shop.
Tadpole
11-06-2010, 09:52 PM
You're moving right along with that thing. At the rate your moving it will be flying before mine is. Believe it or not it's still in the shop.
I've not been moving along very fast the last two weeks. I took a break last weekend and went flying in a friend's Stinson..hehe. I can't believe yours is still in there. Maybe I should come fix yours if I can figure it out.
Jinkers
11-06-2010, 09:54 PM
I wish you would... At 5 months it passes absurd two months ago and we are now steppin into the twilight zone. What's your hourly rate?
tferraro
11-06-2010, 10:14 PM
Well Tadpole... you are not the only "two timer" here.... Love my Pacer and will continue to fly it and love it for a long time.... but my son and I just bought a Stinson SR-10J Reliant Gull Wing . Need to learn a lot about Radial engines and save up for oil! (Holds 6.4 gallons of oil). Interestingly enough, it was owned by someone in Graham Texas many years ago... Maybe Steve is a closet Stinson fan from way back???
Tadpole
11-06-2010, 10:42 PM
I wish you would... At 5 months it passes absurd two months ago and we are now steppin into the twilight zone. What's your hourly rate?
Honestly I don't have one yet as I still have one written and the O&P left..haha. Plus, working on my Stinson is free to me! I probably don't have the experience to fix your gear, but I'm sure I could learn from someone and get it fixed. One day I'll have my own hangar that I can do some work in...would love to at least part time wrench on planes.
Tadpole
11-06-2010, 10:42 PM
Well Tadpole... you are not the only "two timer" here.... Love my Pacer and will continue to fly it and love it for a long time.... but my son and I just bought a Stinson SR-10J Reliant Gull Wing . Need to learn a lot about Radial engines and save up for oil! (Holds 6.4 gallons of oil). Interestingly enough, it was owned by someone in Graham Texas many years ago... Maybe Steve is a closet Stinson fan from way back???
Maybe I'll be a two timer one day...if I end up picking up a Pacer...right now its just the Stinson.
Tadpole
11-14-2010, 08:08 PM
Update time.
So this past week I was able to pick up most of my Poly-Fiber order from a covering place in Longmont, then a stop at Univair for some other parts. Then I didn't get out to the hangar until today. So inconvenient having the project 30ish minutes away.
I was able to completely finish the wing repairs and modifications today. Got it all together, YAY! Next up is to prepare for fabric covering.
After how chilly it was out there today in an unheated / insulated hangar, I decided that between temps and distance I'm going to do the fabric and painting in my garage. We run an eBay store out of half of it, so the other, longer half, I'll clear out this week. Going to do my left aileron first, then I'll bring the left wing home to do the whole deal. Temp paint booth and all.
I'm looking forward to being able to come home from work and just go out in the warm garage and work on the plane. So much more convenient.
Here are two pictures of the finished left wing...
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs581.ash2/150360_1697758609705_1410062979_31768119_6674960_n .jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs973.snc4/76679_1697758849711_1410062979_31768120_4645891_n. jpg
d.grimm
11-14-2010, 08:44 PM
Looks Good. Like eating an elephant, one bite at a time. Having it at home will speed things up considerably.
Dave
Throttle Pusher
11-14-2010, 09:36 PM
lookin good.
Tadpole
11-24-2010, 12:06 AM
Not a huge update, but a problem has been resolved. Turns out another friend has a hangar at the airport my project is at that has a heated and ventilated paint booth in it. So I'll be able to get the stuff covered and painted this winter. Only other thing I've done is finish repairing the left aileron.
Stephen
11-24-2010, 12:21 AM
TP...nice...great project for a retired guy..
Tadpole
11-24-2010, 01:28 AM
Well if all this pension, VA compensation, combat related deal and all works out the way it was mysteriously explained to me, I should make enough money (all be it, months after I'm actually out) to be able to sit back and not work for money, but rather finish up my plane and have some fun with it before I go get a new "real" job.
Tadpole
01-02-2011, 12:40 AM
So Wednesday I got the wings moved to the heated / ventilated paint booth...
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs001.snc6/165101_1777237356624_1410062979_31937400_4338335_n .jpg
Here's how I avoid snorting too much MEK and the cyanides in my paints...
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs068.snc6/167881_1777237196620_1410062979_31937399_2931443_n .jpg
Steve Pierce
01-02-2011, 09:47 AM
Getting closer.
Throttle Pusher
01-02-2011, 09:12 PM
Hey
who called the CDC?
Its lookin like your makin progress. Can't wait to see the finished product!
Throttle Pusher
01-02-2011, 09:15 PM
Hey
who called the CDC?
Its lookin like your makin progress. Can't wait to see the finished product!
Tadpole
01-18-2011, 06:38 PM
I see its been awhile since I posted an update. We last left off with me having moved the wings into the heated paint booth so I could begin prepping the left wing for covering, you can see a photo above of the beginning of this stage.
So after two weekends I've made some decent progress. I think 4 days of work total, but not full days.
I now have the topside fabric for the left wing pretty much installed. The leading edge is cemented down and trimmed, including around the light assembly and the leading edge slot towards the wingtip. Not the best photo, but you get the idea...
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs077.snc6/168784_1803350249430_1410062979_31992491_2330453_n .jpg
I also got the trailing edge cemented down on the topside and heat formed to go around the bend onto the bottom side. I started heat forming the butt rib enough to get good spots to make the openings for cables and attach points as well.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs013.snc6/166299_1803349809419_1410062979_31992489_1264666_n .jpg
Lastly I got the wing tip heat formed around the top side of the radius.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs069.snc6/167896_1803350129427_1410062979_31992490_3369030_n .jpg
All in all, not too bad for a guy who's never done this. I've learned alot. Even made some mistakes that luckily weren't that big of a deal. This is my last week on military duty, so I'm going to have much more time to go work on the plane. The next things on the task list are to finish the butt rib forming and cementing and to open up the fuel tank area and get that all cemented down onto the spars per the AD...then finally flip the wing to finish up the trailing edge and wing tip and I can start on the bottom piece of fabric.
Jinkers
01-19-2011, 08:06 AM
Looks like wings, that's a good thing I think!
Tadpole
01-25-2011, 06:04 PM
Well I'm no longer working so I've been able to start cracking on the project a bit more often. Today was 3rd day in a row out there. Looks like I'll have to skip tomorrow due to some family things.
Anyway, I realized that before I cover the bottom side of the wing I need to get the fuel tank straps installed, or else I won't be able to get to the nuts and bolts! That meant I needed to prep and prime them, and since I was doing that, might as well prep and prime the fuel tank and nose bowl. I wanted to do to the lower cowling as well, but it needs much more work and I want to get the wings done. (Might be looking for a ready to go used cowling though rather than do all the repairs to the one I have, we'll see).
Yesterday was spent MEKing all the 1part primer off of the nose bowl and getting it ready, I had the tank and straps ready two days ago. I also pulled out an old can of PolyTone that is past its shelf life but decided to use it for practicing with the spray equipment as I've never done any spraying. Lots of knobs on those guns I needed to figure out.
Today I went and prepped the primer, guessing how much I would need...ended up with too much made. I think I did alright for my first time. The tank and straps look real nice, but I got some runs on the nosebowl where it curves from the face to the top and bottom. That will take more practice, I think I already know a few things I could have done to make it better. At least its primer that I will be sanding some anyway before color coating it. I guess the real result will be how they look in a few days. I hope they cure okay. Here's pics...
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs884.ash1/179232_1816249611906_1410062979_32018837_1543074_n .jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs248.snc6/179636_1816250011916_1410062979_32018839_6908157_n .jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs063.snc6/167375_1816250371925_1410062979_32018840_5917117_n .jpg
Steve Pierce
01-25-2011, 10:20 PM
Look into the glare and keep the gun a uniform distance from the surface. Use your wrist. Looking good.
Tadpole
03-04-2011, 01:50 PM
I'm back from Steve's restoration seminar and from my A&P practical. I had way too much fun in Texas and learned lots. As far as my project, I took down my smashed up lower cowling.
https://s-hphotos-snc6.fbcdn.net/183590_1861775270019_1410062979_32104232_4928211_n .jpg
I drilled off the scoop and air boxes and then spent two days stripping off all the Aerothane. It was even painted on the inside. Under the paint I found lots of bondo and removed it all as well. Then I learned how to beat out the dents and smooth the cowling up. It's not perfect, but much, much better. I knew nothing of metal work when I started this, and I can tell it takes lots of practice to get good. You can see all the swiss cheese of holes from crappy prior repairs, and the crack on the leading edge.
https://s-hphotos-snc6.fbcdn.net/184856_1861775790032_1410062979_32104234_7071412_n .jpg
Then I assembled the new air scoop, repaired the air boxes, fabricated doublers and got it all match drilled and ready to rivet together. I decided to wait on riveting it up until after I check the fit of the boxes and cowl to my plane. This picture doesn't show the outer doubler I made. I might redesign it a bit, we'll see.
https://s-hphotos-snc6.fbcdn.net/179857_1868430916406_1410062979_32113735_6457539_n .jpg
Now I'm home and ready to get back to work on the plane, but family comes in tomorrow for a week visit and it's still too cold overnight to do fabric work. Hope it warms up soon or I'll just have to go get a job.
Tadpole
03-17-2011, 09:23 PM
Been working on getting the plane all back together and into annual while I wait on the temps to continue warming up so I can finish fabric / paint work on the wings. Here's a couple of pics after today. I have most of the interior installed. I'm having to leave a little out on the pilot side while I work on getting a new part welded into the frame for the boarding step.
This shows the aft floorboards that I just refinished and the side / back walls installed. I assume this is how it will be most of the time I fly. No need to drag all the extra weight of carpet and seats around.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/190581_1909856112010_1410062979_32178472_7911655_n .jpg
This is shortly after above...installed the rear sling seats..they are comfy. Also put in the carpet. Figure I'll start it this way as I'll be giving some rides after I get confident in the plane. Besides, I'm sure I'll be taking some trips with kids in the back to see Grandma!
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/198831_1909856512020_1410062979_32178474_2157088_n .jpg
Already have the carpet in the front, but didn't take a photo of it yet.
MN_flyer1
03-17-2011, 10:08 PM
Looking very nice.
Tim
Troy Hamon
03-18-2011, 01:10 AM
That's pretty fabulous. I love the wood side and rear panels. Much classier looking than the interior of our PA-22.
Jinkers
03-18-2011, 09:54 AM
Very Nice! I love the wood paneling, gives it a touch of class.
Nice work Tadpole! I hope I get to ride in it someday!
Tadpole
03-18-2011, 04:37 PM
Had a short day out there today due to some other things going on. But I got some new mineral oil and filter on the engine, finished inspecting the exhaust and shrouds and put it all together. Cut out some more stuff around the area of the boarding step sleeve that needs to be replaced and welded in. Started grinding off the old weld and cleaning up the tubes but ran out of time.
Snapped this picture of the front of the cabin showing the panel and rest of the front interior I've put back in. Have to wait until the welding is done before I can finish up the interior and get the seats back in. I'd like to install a cigarette power plug and get my intercom hooked up for an aux music jack but those are low on the priority list.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/188232_1911360869628_1410062979_32179962_2062159_n .jpg
jbert
03-20-2011, 11:24 PM
Looks really good Tadpole. I should come up from Meadowlake to see your work in person some time. I've never been to Kelly. I note that permission is required before landing there. Is Frank Niehus the one to contact? I should have the annual and my BFR signed off by mid April so that my Pacer and I will be back in the air at long last.
John
Tadpole
03-20-2011, 11:27 PM
Looks really good Tadpole. I should come up from Meadowlake to see your work in person some time. I've never been to Kelly. I note that permission is required before landing there. Is Frank Niehus the one to contact? I should have the annual and my BFR signed off by mid April so that my Pacer and I will be back in the air at long last.
John
Any resident can grant permission. I can get that for ya from a few guys up there...even if it's not an exact arrival, it's more of a blanket approval to come up if you want. Pretty easy. I don't know Frank.
eskflyer
03-21-2011, 05:14 PM
Looking very nice.
Throttle Pusher
03-22-2011, 02:01 PM
Lookin like a SWEET RIDE !
Tadpole
04-24-2011, 10:54 PM
Sold :( :icon_sad:
Clayton Harper
04-24-2011, 11:04 PM
Good home?
Tadpole
04-24-2011, 11:13 PM
Very good home. I didn't even take a loss on selling it!
Clayton Harper
04-24-2011, 11:57 PM
Take comfort in "Putting an airplane on a trailer is a cruel thing to do it".
Rick-CAS
04-25-2011, 01:30 PM
Hey, That Stinson got you motivated to get an A&P ticket and not only got "your feet wet" you took the full plunge into learning skills to restore an airplane. Now you have a job to settle into that calls on those skills. You might not have got her in the air but, you helped get her along the best you could and she returned the favor. Now settle in at Cub Crafters and start Pacer shopping. The old Stinson knew it was only going to be second best to you.
Tadpole
04-25-2011, 02:16 PM
Yup, I got alot of it.
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