Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Did you get that gear streight by any chance???........Dan

Hi Dan.
I dont't take the time to work on my gear leg. I think I prefer to do the job with a good hydraulic press.
After some internet problem at home, I'm back with some updates!
For a long time I want to see the condition of the canopy. So I decide to take an hour and see the real job I have to accomplish.


Canopy removed from the frame. I need to strip the paint to see under.


Piece of cake and I decided to removed the fuselage roll bar too.


Big welding job in front of me for the next days.


Finally I pass my last two lunch days on this frame.
After welding all the holes and with some smooth sanding I hope I have a brand new canopy frame. Ready to drill and ready to re-installed.

_________________
Thierry
French Canadian T-18
C-FPVE #091

I forgot to show you my stabilizer
Almost done!!!










Real men parts...Lot of job and lot of time to build these scratch built stabilizer.
Next step, dimpling all the parts, cleaning, priming and riveting.

Cheers!!!

_________________
Thierry
French Canadian T-18
C-FPVE #091

Roll bar looks like it got hit with a 50 cal. machine gun ! I think you have rebuilt about 75% of this AC with new parts ?

RB

Looks as if Theiry bought an airplane instead of a set of plans and used the airplane to make a Thorp, way to go

Good job Thierry!! Keep movin, at the rate you movin you will be flying the thing tomarrow!!! Dan

Thierry: bad case of steel mites in your canopy frame.

Can't believe the number of holes and other damage covered with paint.

Looking fwd to seeing you at the Gatineau Air Show on Saturday.

http://envol.vintagewings.ca/

_________________
Victor J Thompson
C-GIRQ
In memory of Dad

I have to finish the weight installation on the leading edge. Now the stab is 100% completed!
This stab is a real big job to do. Lot of small small parts and I don't remember the number of time I turn the stabilizer up side down.
If I want to sale this stab I have to put lots of zero behind the first number
So, weight is installed and all the holes was drill to the good size. When I'm finish riveting the stab I want to start both trim tab.




All my canopy tube frame contract a ''chickenpox''....Or if you prefer I passed a big welding time





I have to sand and polish all the aluminium button but after it's the ionly way to go for the next step.

Tomorrow no Thorp time at the hangar! I take my Pacer and direct to Gatineau airshow for a VIP meeting with Victor J Thompson!
I pretty sure is the first T-18 fly-in in Quebec with Thorp owner and no airplane
I keep you posted at the end of the day!!!

_________________
Thierry
French Canadian T-18
C-FPVE #091

First parts to be primed is the ribs and stiffeners.


I received my brand new rudder cable. The old cable on the right was....not respecting my minimum personnal tolerance.


I hope I finish priming all the rest of the stab today' so tomorrow I start the riveting assmebly

_________________
Thierry
French Canadian T-18
C-FPVE #091

Finally, Finally, Finally!!!
Both skins are primed.


Riveting is started!


All my stress is released now^-^
I just have to install the leading edge lead weight, after riveting the outboard rib is a real piece of cake!!!!


I start to ckeck the trim tab drawing and after a closer look to the SDR I found no dimension for the Stainless strip inside the trim. What is the stainless tie ot strap dimension?


A quick test to see the result after a smooth sanding.



I think I like the result. The sanding process is just long!

Now is the relaxing time, I open a cold beer and watch a episode of Baa Baa Black Sheep with my kids!

_________________
Thierry
French Canadian T-18
C-FPVE #091

Pick up three rivets of the hinge and you should be OK.

_________________
Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

A little confused ? The one pic shows (3) bolts thru the leading edge of the stab and thru the weight ?

RB

Rich, the original drawing shows three bolts through the skin, weight, and rear rib. Some builders leave the bolts out and glue the lead weight. There has been a lot of discussion from a previous member as to the bolt vs glue. Comments such as the weight can vibrate and cause flutter if not bolted have been discussed. I stood my stabilzer on end, wrapped a cold wet towel around the area and poured the lead, "no bolts". I have seen several T18's with no bolts that have several thousand hours on them and no problems. End of story.............

Somehow I didn't remember that ? I used a CS NAS screw thru the leading edge of the lead weight (not thru the leading edge of the stab) and secured the screw to the rear rib .

RB

RB, that was Mikes change I think. That's the way I did it too.
Thierry, it is 018 stainless.
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