Bonanza Make Over

[wyandot jim]

Hey Guys,
This is for all of you Bonanza Bashers. There are a few of us Bonanza Drivers that do work on our own Bonanzas. And no I'm not a Doctor with a lot of money. The Forked Tail Doctor Killer isn't to shabby of a plane.
So lets start with a little history. Along about 19 and 64 I realized the only way I was going to be able to have an airplane hobby was to find older planes that needed a lot of TLC to fix and sell. So this has been my first love since that first Aeronca Champ I bought and rebuilt in 1966/67. I had ten hrs of flight time when I bought it. After enjoying flying it for 2 years and 6 months of rebuilding it was time to sell it and find a better plane to rebuild, and so on and so on. Well in 1989 I had just sold a Cessna Cardinal that I had redone and made a few bucks on. So time to upgrade to another that needed some TLC. I found this Bonanza that the owner had to sell to pay his taxes. HMMMMMMMMMM I'm liking this. Oh by the way he is a lawyer that didn't win on this one. :D :D :D :D
The plane's airframe was in good shape with low total hours, but needed an engine overhauled soon and updated paint, interior, new glass, and other small items. Not to many buyers out there for one like this. If the work has to be farmed out it is better to go buy one already done.
Son and I flew the plane for 3 years then he was transferred to Norfolk and I decided it was time to do my thing. So for the next 6 months it was go to the hangar after work and weekends, yea I was still working at the time, and get after it. Yea I love taking old crap and making it new again. Well I'm not to wild about stripping off the old paint, but it has to be done for a good paint job. It still had the factory paint with one more new coat on top of it. What a pain in the arsh that is to remove. You buy paint remover and lacquer thinner in 5 gal cans and lots of it. You just haven't lived until you have stripped the belly and bottom of the wings of an airplane. Well maybe you have so skip that part and trust me on that.
OK Lets stop with the BS and get on with the pictures and project.
This is what it looked like in 1961 with that Turquoise Paint that was so popular at the time YUCK. Remember the Fords and Chevys of that time period???

I wanted to keep the paint and interior close to original design so it would look like a P Model. I don't care for the new style designs
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/wyandotjim/Airplanes/Bonanza_0001_zps6bf77e8b.jpg (http://s277.photobucket.com/user/wyandotjim/media/Airplanes/Bonanza_0001_zps6bf77e8b.jpg.html)
Getting off some of the last paint.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/wyandotjim/Airplanes/Bonanza_0002_zps39105f8f.jpg (http://s277.photobucket.com/user/wyandotjim/media/Airplanes/Bonanza_0002_zps39105f8f.jpg.html)
OK Now the old paint is gone and ready to install new windows
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/wyandotjim/Airplanes/Bonanza_0003_zps85c85743.jpg (http://s277.photobucket.com/user/wyandotjim/media/Airplanes/Bonanza_0003_zps85c85743.jpg.html)
New glass and ready to go to paint. Notice all the controls, gear doors, and all the parts that can be taken off have been. Now I will acid etch, alyodyne, wash primer, epoxy prime, then urethane paint.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/wyandotjim/Airplanes/Bonanza_0004_zps73c66c37.jpg (http://s277.photobucket.com/user/wyandotjim/media/Airplanes/Bonanza_0004_zps73c66c37.jpg.html)
Well that didn't take long. Lets pull off the tape and paper. By the way I used 25 rolls of 3/4" tape and 2 rolls of 2''. There are 4 different colors used. Main colors are Red, White and Blue. plus Silver inside of gear doors cowling and gear plus grey in the interior. This was the hardest paint scheme I have ever taped. Because everything tapers or is rounded and doesn't line up with the rivet lines.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/wyandotjim/Airplanes/Bonanza_0005_zpsb436546e.jpg (http://s277.photobucket.com/user/wyandotjim/media/Airplanes/Bonanza_0005_zpsb436546e.jpg.html)
Now It's time to paint all the interior so we can get rid of the 50s color and install the new leather interior. I had the local hot rod guy do the seats and side panels but I cut and mounted the panels and head liner and other stuff.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/wyandotjim/Airplanes/Bonanza_0008_zpsfddebca2.jpg (http://s277.photobucket.com/user/wyandotjim/media/Airplanes/Bonanza_0008_zpsfddebca2.jpg.html)
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/wyandotjim/Airplanes/Bonanza_0009_zps4d34984a.jpg (http://s277.photobucket.com/user/wyandotjim/media/Airplanes/Bonanza_0009_zps4d34984a.jpg.html)
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/wyandotjim/Airplanes/Bonanza_0011_zps219be8b1.jpg (http://s277.photobucket.com/user/wyandotjim/media/Airplanes/Bonanza_0011_zps219be8b1.jpg.html)
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/wyandotjim/Airplanes/Bonanza_0010_zpsa985c7b2.jpg (http://s277.photobucket.com/user/wyandotjim/media/Airplanes/Bonanza_0010_zpsa985c7b2.jpg.html)
Hey WHO stole my Eng.????
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/wyandotjim/Airplanes/Bonanza_0012_zpsc00f183a.jpg (http://s277.photobucket.com/user/wyandotjim/media/Airplanes/Bonanza_0012_zpsc00f183a.jpg.html)
Missing a few of the big parts
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/wyandotjim/Airplanes/Bonanza_0016_zpsb6bf4ed1.jpg (http://s277.photobucket.com/user/wyandotjim/media/Airplanes/Bonanza_0016_zpsb6bf4ed1.jpg.html)
Oh Crap I hope I can remember where all this stuff goes.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/wyandotjim/Airplanes/Bonanza_0017_zps600c1635.jpg (http://s277.photobucket.com/user/wyandotjim/media/Airplanes/Bonanza_0017_zps600c1635.jpg.html)
Doing a little painting of eng parts
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/wyandotjim/Airplanes/Bonanza_0013_zpsdd9b19a8.jpg (http://s277.photobucket.com/user/wyandotjim/media/Airplanes/Bonanza_0013_zpsdd9b19a8.jpg.html)
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/wyandotjim/Airplanes/Bonanza_0014_zpsefcc7893.jpg (http://s277.photobucket.com/user/wyandotjim/media/Airplanes/Bonanza_0014_zpsefcc7893.jpg.html)
Well I had to call in help to get it back together Mech in training
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/wyandotjim/Airplanes/Bonanza_0015_zpse407467e.jpg (http://s277.photobucket.com/user/wyandotjim/media/Airplanes/Bonanza_0015_zpse407467e.jpg.html)
Looks like most all the big parts are back on.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/wyandotjim/Airplanes/Bonanza_0018_zpsfd06c8f6.jpg (http://s277.photobucket.com/user/wyandotjim/media/Airplanes/Bonanza_0018_zpsfd06c8f6.jpg.html)
Well I guess all the stuff fits.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/wyandotjim/Airplanes/Bonanza_0019_zpsda328c0c.jpg (http://s277.photobucket.com/user/wyandotjim/media/Airplanes/Bonanza_0019_zpsda328c0c.jpg.html)
Well here is the finished project. Notice the red is the same as on the Trans Am. That is the only color Red that I now use on Cars and planes.
It took me 25 years of buying rebuilding and selling to come up with the BEST single engine airplane ever built so I have stopped on selling. This is the one I will die with.
I hope I didn't bore you to much.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/wyandotjim/Airplanes/Bonanza_0007_zps39a7d4d9.jpg (http://s277.photobucket.com/user/wyandotjim/media/Airplanes/Bonanza_0007_zps39a7d4d9.jpg.html)
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/wyandotjim/Airplanes/Bonanza_0006_zpscb74e703.jpg (http://s277.photobucket.com/user/wyandotjim/media/Airplanes/Bonanza_0006_zpscb74e703.jpg.html)

[j_w_Bruce]

That is a cool story, even better with pictures

[Brian]

Enjoyed this history a lot Jim. I got to fly several different model of Bonanza's in my early flying days. From the original 1947 plain 35 and A35 up through the V35B, and agree with you, it's truly a great design, for passenger comfort, overall performance, control harmony, and just over all good looks. I personally liked the early light weight models better handling wise, but appreciated the bigger engines and modern panels/avionics on the newer ones as well. I would like to learn from you more about stripping paint and what that entailed. Specifically what products worked best, how you neutralized the stripper that must have soak into seams and hidden structures, and how to dispose of the by products. I've done a bit of stripping on small parts using off the shelf products and find it an extremely slow, time consuming, and messy process. Looks like from the photos you have the luxury of living near your hangar and owning your own strip I assume ? That's a big bonus on projects like this one.

[Curly]

Nice job on my second favourite aeroplane - the "Mecedes Benz" of the air.

[KSG]

Very nice! I just looked at a P model last night that a friend picked up yesterday. Cool airplanes.

[Tripacer76D]

Sweet!!!!!!

[pa20]

Jim,
What a fantastic job you did with the Bonanza! I too have a few hours in Bonanzas, and think they are a wonderful aircraft. Having spent time working on the other popular Wichita built aircraft, the quality of the Beech product is second to none.
If you ever would like to come visit the Gold Country of the Sierra Foothills for a month (or three) to work on a Pacer or RV-6, please let me know! I love reading your stories, but they make me realize my own limitations!

[Cub Junkie]

My Bonanza experience came along the same time I owned a 250 Comanche. I loved my comanche but my uncle bought an M35 Bonanza and when I flew it I soon knew why everybody loves Bonanza's. I flew the Bonanza every chance I could get while he owned it.

[wyandot jim]

Jim,
What a fantastic job you did with the Bonanza! I too have a few hours in Bonanzas, and think they are a wonderful aircraft. Having spent time working on the other popular Wichita built aircraft, the quality of the Beech product is second to none.
If you ever would like to come visit the Gold Country of the Sierra Foothills for a month (or three) to work on a Pacer or RV-6, please let me know! I love reading your stories, but they make me realize my own limitations!



Mark,
Thank you so much. I'm glad you enjoy my BS stories. It appears from the amount of responses that they get very few others on here do. Oh well I guess most are more interested in the fixing of planes rather than what a great time planes can provide. Along with the stories that go with them.
Thanks for your offer, but I think I will pass. That is a beautiful part of the country for sure. I have driven up 49 " The Route Of The Miners" and enjoyed it very much.
About 5 years ago my neighbor who is a long time SWA Captain and ex A-4 & A-6 Marine Driver bought a PA-18 in Modesto. Well he didn't know much about Rag & tube and couldn't fly a tail dragger. So I went with him to bring it back to Texas. We had a great 3 days. We only flew about 5 hours a day. The reason being is you get real thirsty in that dry climate so you need to spend time in the hotel bar to get hydrated. Remember we live in the Wet Houston area.
Well as luck would have it, he just had to make a pass when we were leaving the owners airport. So we hit a pretty good BUMP and friend in front seat ,who is built like a fire plug, is thrown to the right and knocks out a big piece of plexie. So now Guy in back (ME) gets a lot of wind. Guess what it also gets COLD and windy when you go to 12,500 to get over the pass at Big Bear Lake on the way to Palm Springs. Now remember Guy in back didn't need to bring no stinking jacket. we are going to Califorornia and across the desert. Big mistake.
Our last stop was Midland TX where a friend of his ownes a BBQ Joint so Guy in back took advantage of free beer and Q. Next morning a front comes thru with cold, low ceilings and rain. Now it is time to go to Home Depot to get a sheet of Plexie. Guy in back doesn't want to be cold and wet. So I fixed the window in the airport lounge. Now I'm happy except for the low ceilings. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO problem Vis is good Guy in front was trained to fly low and fast. So we blast off slow, fast and a PA-18 don't go together, at 50-100 feet AGL. Not to many sticky up things in West Tex. I kept track where we were on the chart so I could call out the location of the phone towers. I saw most of them. We did roll a few cows on the way.
Well I had not planed on this being a BS Story. Oh well when you are full of it it just runs out.
Thanks again and take care
Jim
I did paint my neighbors RV-6 and made the panel for him. Makes me a qualified RV builder :-)

The end of a GREAT trip
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/wyandotjim/Airplanes/Cub2.jpg (http://s277.photobucket.com/user/wyandotjim/media/Airplanes/Cub2.jpg.html)

[Manche59]

Good stories guys and great looking Bo-nanza and Sooper Cub.

[bigjohnnie]

Me, I love the stories ... Keep 'me coming.

[pa20]

You are correct, Jim! Proper hydration while on a long X-country is VERY important!
When Walt (previous owner) and I flew 44K to Odessa for the 2002 SWPC Convention, we made a stop in Belen, NM for fuel for the plane, and food for us. On the way from the restaurant to the airport, we passed a hotel on the left and a package store on the right. Unbeknownst to me as I looked to the left at all the folks frolicking in the pool, Walt was checking out the package store. In symphony we both spoke.... I stated " man, that pool sure looks good", and he said "I sure could go for a cold beer"! Note: it was gusting through about 105F. So, within 40 minutes, 44K was tucked in at the airport, and we were bobbing in the pool sipping cold brews!

[Steve Pierce]

Jim, The airplanes are just the catalyst that brings us all together. Think of all the stories you have with the airplane,think if the airplanes couldtell their stories. We are merely keepers of the shrine for a short period of time.

I thinkI know your Super Cub buddy.8)

[wyandot jim]

Jim, The airplanes are just the catalyst that brings us all together. Think of all the stories you have with the airplane,think if the airplanes couldtell their stories. We are merely keepers of the shrine for a short period of time.

I thinkI know your Super Cub buddy.8)

Yep you sure do. There is only ONE like him. The one and only GII. I can never go anywhere without running into someone that knows him :-) A GREAT Guy to know.

[PeterL]

The Bonanza V-tail was the first time I had an airplane ride in!!!

Never forget that trip.

[Pacer20]

Yep you sure do. There is only ONE like him. The one and only GII. I can never go anywhere without running into someone that knows him :-) A GREAT Guy to know.

Yep, I've flown with him, quite the character.

[rsrguy3]

Oh man I almost can't wait to start collecting my own xc stories. A buddy told me the other day the f35 had the best power to weight ratio of the lot, it should make for a killer xc platform. A question Jim, in your travels and interactions, do the aficionados of the earlier versions prefer the original panel, or would it be more desirable for me to update it to a center stack? Just wondering if I'd be hurting the value by installing a garmin to the middle.

[wyandot jim]

A question Jim, in your travels and interactions, do the aficionados of the earlier versions prefer the original panel, or would it be more desirable for me to update it to a center stack? Just wondering if I'd be hurting the value by installing a garmin to the middle.


Well IMHO No you would not be hurting the value of the plane. That is why all the Mod people are out there. That allows you to update your Bo. Now is it worth the money for the Mod which isn't cheap? That is your call. The whole panel and all the wiring/switches have to be changed. It requires an STC. I think BDS has the STC for it.
Here again IMHO if you want a center stack modern panel sell what you have and buy another plane with all the new fangled stuff. That will cost less in the long run it will also have the bullet proof O-470 series engine rather than the E Series. Yes the E series is a good Eng. just a little different.
Just fly what you have with a hand held and enjoy the best single Eng. plane ever built. :-)
Jim
PS Sorry it took so long for me to answer
http://d-shannon-aviation.com/documentation/instrument-panels-manuals.html

http://d-shannon-aviation.com/images/pdfs/InstrumentPanels/Panel%20Installation%20Instructions.pdf