Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Man that's great! any new progress pictures of the airframe? I'd love to see these things come together

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John Letkeman
N2562K SN.922
Seminole Tx
(KGNC)

As it was raining today- I spent time inside the fuselage drilling and mounting the dayton elevator trim motor. After that I ran the wire loom along the right side of the fuselage.

Oh how I miss building!!!

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Terry - I see you have carpet or foam inside the fuselage for your wiring work. I didn't think it was possible for me to squirm my way in there through the baggage compartment. Is that what you did? Is the floor (skin) strong enough to support you or did you put wood inside the bulkheads?

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John Twigg N12055 SN.79 Pittsburgh, PA (KFWQ)

John T,
Getting in is easy, gettin out is the hard part. I made a frame to support a 1x12 x 4' so that I can get into the tail cone without removing the push-pull tube, my baggage area is level with the tunnel behind the seats.

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Bruce Finney
N18JF T-18C #262
Yelm, WA USA

Bruce is right- out is the more difficult part. but I just put the carpet in and it was to make it more comfortable while I laid there drilling the holes to run the wire loom. You are probably okay as long as your knees aren't "too boney".

I usually recruit a local neighbor kid for those jobs. One of my first ones is now over forty years old.

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Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

I never expected that builders crawled back in there once the plane was built. Makes sense, though, and I'll have to try it soon . I haven't even opened the bulkhead panels yet. Here's what N12055 looks like inside behind the seats. Did you have similar bulkhead panels and are there any things to consider before removing them to get back there?


The amazing thing to me is how much smaller aviation batteries are than they were back in the seventies judging by the battery box.

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John Twigg N12055 SN.79 Pittsburgh, PA (KFWQ)

John, its a tough job when you gotta get back there. I come out of the "hole" sometimes so sweaty (in the summer) that its downright difficult to make myself crawl back in there to finish the job. Especially when I have to crawl out backwards, then back in because I forgot a wrench. The joys of ownership I guess.

If I remember right from the past NL's someone used a couple of air mattresses to line the aft area to get around in the hell hole ? When and if I need to return to the scene of the crime I'll rig up a small fan to blow air up my skirt to keep me cool and collected !

RB

Today was spent on panel switch layout while making sure the throttle quadrant will remain clear

Remember, key goes in the middle with side quadrant.

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Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

Keys? Real Pilots don't need Keys....they just forget to take them out their pockets until they have strapped in. I'm going with individual switches for Master, L Mag, R Mag, Alt. etc...will have a push button for the starter. Maybe I'll placard it "ejection seat"....just for laughs.

That's why my check list has "keys in ignition", "enter cockpit".

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Bruce Finney
N18JF T-18C #262
Yelm, WA USA

All the pilot holes are finished. I also drilled them out to 3/16 , painted the angle alum. I'll install the angle parts with AN3 to join the upper and lower spar carry through. The AN4 bolt attaches the motor to the angles.