Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Hi everyone,

I had hoped that my first post about finally starting on my rebuild would be more upbeat. Having sold my previous airplane and finally getting the hangar cleaned and organized, this evening I started to clean up the wing center section. It sat for 20 years in a barn leaning against the wall with the leading edge down. I knew when I bought the airplane that mice had been in the wing but it didn't look like anything too serious.

Unfortunately I removed a hidden mice nest tonight and there was some corrosion on the spar. Excuse the pics, it was the best I could get with my scope.







The first 2 pictures are after cleaning it up some with scotch brite. Does anyone have an opinion on this? I'm not liking it and kind of thinking I'm gonna have to take this wing apart. Not the start that I wanted on this project.

_________________
New Thorp Project Owner - N85FT
http://www.youtube.com/motoflightguy
motoflightguy@gmail.com

I wish there was something I could tell you, but that is in an unknown condition. It may be fine, but it may not. The only way to know for sure is to get access and use NDI. And you need to know what you are looking for. Sorry.
Cubes

That's what I figured. I mean to properly assess it I'm sure eddy current inspection on the spar would be the only way. Judging by the depth of pitting I'm guessing this isn't acceptable. Plus the fact I don't think that I'll be happy if I leave it.

That brings an entirely new bag of questions I have though. Rebuilding this wing is something I'm not familiar with. The spar caps are looking fine. But I would need to replace the spar web. In my mind since I have everything complete, I'd drill the rivets out and use the old web for a template, match all the holes and replace the spar web, and use the old skin and ribs and just rivet back together through existing holes. Is that acceptable?

_________________
New Thorp Project Owner - N85FT
http://www.youtube.com/motoflightguy
motoflightguy@gmail.com

Yes