Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Hi Rich.
I prefer when you talk in French...not in Spanish

I continu to dismantle the engine. All valve was removed and cleaned. Now I want to clean all the cylinders and the engine block.


To removed the oil drain I have to use my impact tool The men eat a big steak before he torque the fitting.


I'm very happy, my box from AircraftSpruce just arrived. Now I have all the material to finish my wing. Bigger the box, bigger the job !


I riveting the rear spar doubler.


Same for the aileron support bracket. I applied a quick coat of primer. I finish the priming job when all the dimpling was done.


Left flap are in place. I installed the aileron to see the gap between both parts.


I need to trim each side of the flap. (aileron side)


Same pattern for the fuselage.


It's the turn for the right side tomorrow!!!

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

I know smoking rivets are a fact of life for T18's, but is there a solution to the problem that Thierry can implement when skinning the center wing? We may as well save Thierry some trauma if we can.

I vaguely remember reading about installing a double row, staggered, to the bottom spar, but I can't find the newsletter. Can anyone point us in the right direction or supply the details?

D

You are correct, Dick. When I built my "T" wing, John Thorp gave me permission to put in the double row even after the first row was riveted. Per the Disney film, the designer allowed me to countersink the .032 skin for the second row. If you are using .025 skin on the inner wing, you can't countersink it. The double row is only applied to the inner bay, both top and bottom, staggered aft of the main row. The edge distance on the spar cap mirrors the edge distance on the main row only measured from the aft edge rather than from the front edge.

_________________
Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

Sound interesting the double row! My skin is in 0,032.
''fytrplt'' since this modification do you see loose rivet or sign of smoking around the critical area?

There is the right flap installed. Lot of trimming to have this result.




My next target is the installation of the skin
Another succesfull day at the shop. No spare time to continu my cleaning process on the engine today.
Thanks Dick to remind me the rivet issue on the wing!

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

Thierry,

The inboard six or so rivets eventually popped some paint both top and bottom. Not nearly as bad as some I have seen with the single row. The bottom ones showed some streaking, but it seemed to be oil and dirt that had collected inside the bottom skin. I also reinforced the rib-to-spar corners at the wing joint with an angle to carry the load from front to back. This helps with the tendency to buckle in this area.

_________________
Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

I try to figure how I have to drill the second row of rivet.
I draw a line with the new rivet pitch. I'm in the good way or not??? Need more help please


I continu the engine washing process. Engine block is good to go.


I think the oil pan is the whorst to cleaned...but the result is great!


All the cylinders are free of oil now.


And to complete all the engine parts are washed. A good and long visual inspection is required on all the 0-320 parts.

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

Hard to tell from the pic , but you may be too close to the inside radius of the beam ? Between rivet hole spacing looks good to me .

RB

Rich your absolutly true!!!
After some hours to cleaning parts
the engine wash "Gunk" affect my
brain....

Doctor where is my Aspirin!

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

Agree With Rich. You only need the second row in the inner-most bay where the spar beam is a "U" shape. Do it top and bottom even though the bottom is just an angle. The second row goes aft of the first. Make sure you have room to buck the rivets and the edge distance is at least 1/4". Once you lay out the pattern, mark it on the skin and drill though the skin and spar. Since you have the skin off, you can countersink the spar and dimple the skin on both rows. Again, this modification only goes in the area next to the fuselage out to the second rib. Measure twice and cut (drill) once!

_________________
Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

My work is done for the day ! When I did my double row , I used a piece of scrap to test drill next to radius and found out I was going to make the same mistake you almost made . I measured from the edge of the angle not thinking about the radius...DOH ! Made the adjustment and placed the beam in the jig on the drill press and drilled away ! It would have been an EXPENSIVE mistake ! As Bob sez as did my Junior HS wood shop teacher said...
"Measure twice and cut one !" How true that is ! Especially when you get tired after a long day ! >:( BOOM !

RB

Be carefull.... I'm in fire this week!!! I do lot of work, so tonight I post lot of pictures to share with you my naked Thorp

I start with the rear cargo panel. I have to cut the bottom for the cable and the elevator tube. Look at the pictures...I come in peace


Wings steps angle are cut. The small retainer was drill and ready to install.


I draw the right wing skin with the help of the plan!


I installed the right skin on the right wing and the fit is perfect. I decide to put the right skin on the left wing upside down...again it's a succes!


So with this big step I put the right skin ''template'' on the blank left skin.


Clock is running... so it's drilling time!


My drill and the air compressor was smoking. Both skin was drill with the same pattern except for the main spar.


Right skin is bend and roll. NO special tool, just some wood parts, steel angle, clamps and...muscles

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

Left and right skin is place just for the look. I start the work on the right wing side only.






This quick set-up help me to maintain the bottom skin at the right place during the drilling episode.


When I close the hangar today the right skin is in place. Next time I drill all the holes to the drawing specification. I always work with a under size drill bit.


Rich, tu dis quoi deja?
BOUYA!!!!!

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

Looking good Thierry ! I speak as much French as I do Spanish , which is as much as I can read off a bottle of wine or a bottle of Dos Equis XX !

RB

Hello Thierry,

Since we haven't heard from you for a few months, I'm just wondering how your T-18 project is progressing. I have really enjoyed your build thread and hope all is going well for you.

Byron

I've also been wondering how the project is going. I sold him a propeller and extension last fall and haven't heard anything since.

Jim