Thorp Air Command - T18.net

I might be wrong ,but those rivets look like soft rivets ? Go to the NL's and they will tell you how to buck the stab (AN hard ) rivets and the type of bucking bar to use . Yes it is a LONG one . For the ribs and skin I used Cherry Max rivets . BOOM ! You are doing wonderful work !

RB

Hi.

Too much work at the airport! Spring fever in Quebec and all the planes broke at the same times.

So there is new updates about my T-18.
Enjoy.

Forward tunnel finished and transfer box installed.





Another small part out of tolerance!



Now it's better!





Brand new rudder. Lot of work!







Finally the fuselage is ready to go for the final act. Riveting!!!



My father with the rudder. Look like a boat at this time.



More photos tomorrow

Cheers

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

You do beautiful work !

RB

Yes!! has anyone else noticed what a craftsman Thierry is? We may have to fly him down here to teach us a thing or two! NICE WORK!!!

_________________
Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

I have noticed the fine workmanship, if you are going to send Thierry somewhere make it Australia, I could use some of those skills on my project!

_________________
Stug

Thierry has turned an aircraft that I would only use as a static display (not sure how it ever got certified to fly ?) , into a thing of beauty ! His attention to detail is second to none ! California is a lot closer than Down Under ! BOOM ! If this Master of the metal ever does make it to California for a fly in , a clinic on metal bending is in order and I will buy him dinner ! BADA BING !

RB

Hi guy's.

First person to buy me a aircraft ticket for a crash sheet metal course is the winner.
Many thanks everybody for the good comments. For me the metal is talking. I work in small aviation for the last 15 years. I rebuilded warbird and small plane.
Give me a old vintage radio button and I built Mustang or a Fying Fortress! And don't forget the $$$

Fuselage is in a homemade jig. All the parts was level and the dimensions was in tolerance.



I start by the tail section.



Tail are in place for the first bolt on test.



Good riveting hours. I'm very happy!!!





I hope I finish riveting the tail section and the bottom skin for the next friday.

En plus with the sheet metal class I give you free French lesson! (I now I need English lesson too )
Et voila!

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

Vertical fin skin is bending. This morning all the rib was in place and everything is almost drill.







Ok, it's time for a coffee breake. Wife and kids are awake and I have to go work on my kitchen.
Sunday morning pancake! Hum...with fresh Canadian maple syrop

Cheers

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

There is the final product.
Ready for the dimplig and priming.
I hope tomorrow I finish riveting the rear fuselage section.

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

Good vertical part installed. Not the final version but looks good. I want to scratch built a small fin on the front, just for the good look or the WOW effect!



Fuselage on the side same as a whale on a beach sand. Bottom skin is riveting during lunch. Yep! I eat my sandwich between two bulkhead station.



I buy a cheap Tempo to made a easy paint boot. There some rudder parts during the drying time and ready to go!



I know tomorow it's groundhog day. Another riveting lunch time

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

Who helps you with the riveting or do you have long arms like a monkey ?

RB

Outstanding. I wish I had half those skills or energy.
Cubes

Bonjour!

Fresh updates to my projects. Vertical fin parts primed.



Doubler was installed on fin spar and rudder is ready for riveting.


Vertical fin is finished. I have to found the fiber glass cover for the top. I check on the old forum, I'm sure I found something interesting.


Rudder completed!


I'm almost finish the belly skin riveting. My father don't have the time to come and help me to do the job.
One big hours and it's over!


Next step monday morning. I start to check the stabilisator plan and I think I hit the wall when I start this parts!
To be continue

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

Hey don't ya know , I still don't under stand how you do all the riveting by yourself if your Dad is not available ? The stab is a Sticky Wicket , especially bucking the rivets inside the "tube." With your level of metal working it should not be a problem . Are you going to paint the AC or spend hours and days polishing the beast ?

RB

Hey Rich, my dear pen pal!

I use the "force" to install all the rivet. Same as Luke Skywalker! I have to be careful to not turn myself to the "dark side"...I don't want to finish the plane with cherry max;-) I know it's faster but...

I paint my plane by myself. Aluminium polishing is not my hobby.

Cheers guy's.
Maybe in 2015 @Lakeland!

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