Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Guys,
I've added a new category "Projects" under "Thorp T-18". It's purpose is to encourage builders out there to post progress pics. I'm going to start the trend with some pics of my "2011" project (whose name will have to change eventually most likely to "Patches").

Thanks to Hurant Kariban for the SS for the FW and Scott Stine for the fine job of bending it for me!

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Nice. I never would have guessed someone would put the seats in before putting the firewall on. Just kidding.
May want to add captions for what you are doing.

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Cubes
831GR
Las Vegas

I don't know where he finds the time to do all this "salvage work" AND run the Forum AND do the NL ! Pretty "crafty guy !" [8D] I think he has a regular job too ?

I just saw the seats ! Not in the upright and locked position !

RB

Lee, sorry it might be a silly novice builder question but what is the purpose of the large access panel mid fuselage in the side skin? Curious since i am just about ready to cut my side skins and i havent seen that mod before. Also are they spacer blocks you are trying to show in e photo between the gear legs and the wheels?

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Stug

Lee
I have several questions about your gear leg extension. What is the thickness of the extension. Does it add at least and 1" or so of extension. Does the gear extension clear the brake puck housing.

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Stephen R. Peirce
S/N#078 Ph 256-461-0233
Rocket City
Huntsville, Alabama

Steve,
The extensions are 3/4" 2024, they add 1.5 inches to the gear length and yes the brake clears the extension. As far as the axle and the surrounding area is concerned the installation is as normal.

here's another angle







Stug,
The hole in the side is battery access. This was a fairly common mod at one time. I will be mounting my battery on the firewall so the battery access will end up being an "aft fuselage inspection plate". It's actually pretty cool ... my whole noggin fits in there!

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

I have not seen that extension plate before...pretty slick idea to extend the gear ! That battery access could be used as a mini baggage compartment ? The old compartments had a sliding tray that pulled out with the battery if I remember right from that old Dick Cavin Texarkana video.

RB

As Lee Walton found out this weekend on my plane, easy battery access is a must! I renewed my acquaintance with my installation today as I removed my 7 1/2 year old battery to put it to its final resting place. It served me well yesterday for over five hours with no alternator coming home from KY Dam.

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Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

Lee, I am contemplating doing the same thing you did to my restoration project. (yes I will add pics once the drilling begins) My firewall looks similar to your (original) but its the header skin that I really want to replace also. Do you think the tear down re-skin was worth it after you did it in retrospect? Your work looks real good and is encouraging me to go for it to. If so can you think of any "I would have done this had I known ideas"? Thanks in advance.
Skeet

Skeet,
Absolutely worth it. I'm not sure what the state of yours is but there was no way I could have lived with the cowl skin the way it was before. It looked like the builder let the neighborhood kids pound on it for kicks. This is the second time for me, not really a big project. If the plane is home or somewhere you can really focus your attention on it, you could have it off and the new piece clecoed on in a day.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

I guess it's been a while since I updated the project pics ... here are a few new ones.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Lee is that an extra diagonal angle reinforcing the side skin area forward of the dash frame on the side skins I can see or is it something else?

Yes that's exactly what it is Stuart. A remedy for oil canning in that bay.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Thanks! Are you adding any other anti oil canning angles elsewhere on the side skins?

Nope just there.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD