Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Hi All,
I am planning on transporting the family Thorp (4784G) from Florida to Colorado so that I can restore it and get it flying again. Covid-19 has put a hold on my trip, but it's giving me time to better prepare the trailer. I've got an enclosed car hauler. (The plane is complete minus engine, but I'm picking up a new engine as well.)
Question for those with experience... how best to pack/secure the wings?
Trailer is 24' interior with D-rings and E-Track on the floor, so the fuselage and engine should be good. I have more E-Track for walls - for a firm attachment (interior walls are thin plywood and wouldn't support much). Make a cradle attached to the wall? Or cradle on the floor?
Thanks for any ideas!
-Steve

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Steve Allen-Shinn
steve.allenshinn76@gmail.com 719-339-5581
T-18 Tiger N4784G SN 131

I used this wing cradle during the build process to keep the sections safe and out of the way . You could either make one like this or make 2 sections to hold the wings . Pad everything ! Ratchet straps work best .

RB

I helped a guy transport one in a race trailer years ago. We just wrapped the wings in blankets and strapped them to the floor. Same thing with the horizontal stab. I don’t recall if the vertical stab was on the fuselage or on the floor too.

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Thorp T18
O-320-B3B (160 HP)
68x74 Sterba Propeller

"The joke in aviation is, 'If you want to make a million, you'd better start with £10m.' " -Bruce Dickinson

mine travelled across the country on a flatbed. Wings were laid flat under the fuse on the gear. I made cradles for the wings to lay on, and strapped them down. I hindsight, I feel like I should have just laid a mattress on the flatbed, and laid the wings on the mattress and strap it down.

I use old aircraft tires. Put four down on the floor under the fuselage and load the first wing. Put four more in between the wings. Two things. You will have to pick up the tail to get the wings under it which may require the vertical to be off. And B, make sure the wings cannot slide out from under each other...ie stay stacked.
Cubes

I used a flatbed trailer also to haul N444DD from south of Atlanta to St.Louis. Had the tailwheel secured on a little raised platform about 14" high, the wings were laid beneath the fuselage on old foam futon mattresses (about 4" thick) under and between then strapped down. I used old blankets and lawn chair cushions to protect where the straps went. The vertical and horizontal stabs were already removed and it didn't have an engine with it. We stopped frequently to check the straps and to make sure all was protected. We made it home without damaging anything. I looked for pictures but I guess oddly enough I didn't take any. Good luck with your adventure.

Dave

I found an open flat bed trailer is much easier to transport on. One exception, you will encounter all sorts of looky-loos that do some stupid stuff around an airplane on a trailer.
Cubes

I have used both. Access on the flatbed is great but not everything has to be tied down inside an enclosed trailer.

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Thorp T18
O-320-B3B (160 HP)
68x74 Sterba Propeller

"The joke in aviation is, 'If you want to make a million, you'd better start with £10m.' " -Bruce Dickinson

I have a similar cradle like Rich's that has carpet pieces to hold the wings that you can have but I'm up north in Lake City so it would probably be easier to build than pick it up here unless travel brings you this way before you head to CO. Call me if you need any pictures or questions. 386-365-7033

U-Haul

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Chuck Kincer
Richmond, Me
575CK
KIWI

Thanks!

_________________
Steve Allen-Shinn
steve.allenshinn76@gmail.com 719-339-5581
T-18 Tiger N4784G SN 131