Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Hi again,
How dificult is speperating the ceter wing section from the fuselage.
The CFO (wife) is onboard with my quest to join Thorp Nation! The plane that I am looking at already has the outer wings removed. I will be trailering it from Texas to Spokane Valley Wa. I decided not to buy the engine first but still plan on hanging a 0290. Any and all advise is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Dave Drumm

(2) fwd main bolts . L & R . (2) smaller bolts aft . L & R . The Fwd bolts you can see the nuts on the firewall side . The Aft bolts may be covered with a fairing and are at the tailing edge just outboard of the fus. skin . The AC you are buying didn't come with a set of plans ?

RB

Congratulations on your new purchase!!! You may also need to remove the flaps, they are operated from cables under the baggage compartment deck that must be disconnected to allow there removal (the actuator arms for the flaps pass through the sides of the fuselage). There may also be electrical wires for position and landing lights and pitot and static system lines.

Phil
118BC

Then one last AN4 bolt that connects the walking beam ( stick assembly)to the 3” push pull tube for the stabilator . And it drops right down.

Thanks for the info. I havnt made the deal yet. I meet the Owner and plane on the 10th to inspect and see what I am getting myself into.
Dave

Go to the main page of the forum and look up the "buyers guide" AND MANDATORY SDR items !!! SDR's are critical before you buy .

RB

Some of the items that need to be checked look liike i will need to dismantal or drill out rivet to check. The owner probobly won't allow that. Hopefully he has good records if not i will discount what i am going to pay for it. Luckily it still has a current registration although it says that a 0320 was on it not a 0360.?!? Will have to ask about that. Thanks to all on both of my postings. You all seem like a good bunch.

The FAA website can be woefully inaccurate/slow on showing the correct engine on the airplane. For about 5 years now, my T18 still shows an 0-290 on the FAA website even after I completed all the appropriate FAA paperwork to show it had a new 0-360 on it. I even emailed them once after the fact in order to try and get it updated.

What was the paperwork you had to fill out? Mine still shows the Ford conversion even though it has been 5 or 6 years since it was swapped back to a Lycoming and I let the FAA know in writing when I registered it.

_________________
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

The T-18 that I am looking at is N27AL.It has been on B.S. twice. Wondering if anyone this Forum has looked at it or knows any history of it? FAA gave first airworthy cert in 2011.

That airplane is in Longview I believe, about 1.5 hours from me. I might could get over there and take some photos if you would like that. PM me if you want and we can talk more about it.

I did the same thing, just notified my FISDO in writing I believe. Its been a long time now, but going from memory, I think, per my Op Limits, when you make a significant W&B change (or some wording like that) you notify the FISDO and put it back into Phase 1 for 5 hours and make another log entry showing completion of Phase 1.

Now that Im typing this, maybe the FAA website didnt get updated because my FISDO doesnt do anything with it once I send it to them.

I apreciate the offer but it is in a hanger in Lufkin. and outer wings are already removed.
Thanks
Dave

Well, N27AL followed us to OKC yesterday. Got to get her ready for the drive to Spokane Valley. I did get builders logs, some prints and misc. She is going to need a lot of Love before she breaks the bonds. Will have a plethora of questions i am sure. To be continued!!!!!....
Dave 7

Ok next up. Tail feathrt removal! I put the AC on the trailer facing Aft. Anyone have a step by step? After class today I'm heading over to start dismantling. I can't see weights anywhere on the Stab so it looks like another task to do.
I am also going to have to reconfigure her for my 6ft-2 self.
Dave