Thorp Air Command - T18.net

I got involved with what I termed Thorp 1 in December 2012. It's going to keep it's original N number of 66WT - the airplane was originally built by Richard Wyngarden of Central florida and first flew in January of 1987. It flew until the late 1998 when it was taken apart for paint. Seems like a little more than that, but that's another story.
Since it's arrival, I've replaced the boot cowl, corrected the 601 spar attach, added a 'Trusty Tail spring (along with changing the aft fuselage frame) , sourced an 0-320 and Demuth prop as well as a panel full of instruments. The idea is to get WT complete and flying in advance of Kentucky Dam.

More: 66WT has the Sunderland folding wing, standard landing gear, and tinted canopy. As I've been stripping the bondo off the outer wing panels its been obvious that I'll be re skinning the outer wing panels. The Logbooks show this airframe has 560 hours Total time. The 0-320e2d that I have for the airplane has 815smoh with an Aymar Demuth prop with 315TT. The panel will be a standard IFR King panel.

Instrument panel to include a standard gyro package, overhauled RCA turn coordinator, Tempest Vacuum pump, Electronics Int'l Tach and EGT/CHT. Grimes post lights installed in the panel for night/dusk flying. I'll be using Ztron labs LED navigation lights and LED landing lights in the wingtips with Wig Wag built in.

WELL!
You have gotten yourself into quite the pile of work!
Still, as a person building an airplane, I'll comment that repairing or restoring seems much easier, as you actually have something to work with in the beginning.
I really have grown attached to 'Feisty' my t-18, but it was not easy to start with. I don't have as much structural repair to do, but I have had issues, and now I'm working on upgrades.
It never stops, and I'm glad it doesn't.
I'm upgrading to the Trusty Tailwheel spring with Flyboy Accessories tailwheel, in fact, I just received the tracking number for my custom socket tailwheel!
Also, I'm changing from a Marvel MA-4 to a Rotec TBI unit, and a rear induction sump. I'm going to shave off the chin scoop and take induction air from the right bank back cooling baffle. My hope is that I can switch to a gravity fuel system and ditch several pounds of fuel pumps and hose.

_________________
Scott Emery
EAA Chapter 326
T-18 N18TE

You will enjoy this Airplane, I have the same combination, S-18 w/ 320 e2d & 68 x 72 Demuth. I do have the short Gear and it weighed in dry at 880 lbs when the paper work was comp. You will have a very good cruise and very economical fuel burn. I took the advise of my Buddy Steve Hawley and did not put anything in that I wasn't going to use or need and I believe this helped keep it light and they do well if when they are kept light as he did also point out during my build. Looks like your making good progress and will getter done shortly, you made a good choice and keep up the good work you will be happy with it when your done Im sure.......Dan

The progress is coming along. Though to look at it, not much shows unless you know where to look. I now have both brake lines made and connected to the calipers. The Brake master cylinders are installed. Next week, the rudder pedals go in. I had to have the fuel tank repaired - bondo over an area that turned out to be a hole as if a can opener was used on it. Now the finder strainer is installed and I have the #6 tubing on hand to make the fuel lines. I also have a rough cut windshield ready for final fit. The engine is ready for hanging so that the wiring can start. I've also started on adapting the wingtips for enclosed LED nav lights and a separate area for LED landing/recognition lights.

Good!
I got the Airworthiness Certificate for my RV-8 after a 15 or 16 year build. All I can say is to just keep at it.
You will get there, and I hope you enjoy the work as you go, it made all the difference to me.
Feisty, my T-18 has been a ball. Even though it's O-290G has me trailing my son and wife, who both have RV-4s with O-320s, I don't plan to ever give it up. If the engine didn't have such low hours and run so well, I might consider a power upgrade. Instead, I've decided to go the light weight & efficiency route, and it is working.
That Trusty Tailwheel IS better than the leaf spring and Maul tailwheel. The spring action seems to reduce porpoising and hobby horsing.

_________________
Scott Emery
EAA Chapter 326
T-18 N18TE

This stretch of days off was productive. I inserted all the rivnuts in the canopy frame. Next week I'll probably get motivated to get the windshield installed. I also got the right outboard wing stipped of paint. Then since today was a little cooler, I hung the engine. I was also able to get the Electronics International CHT probes installed as well at attach the Carb. Now with all this on the front of the engine I can plan exactly which wires will have to run where. Earlier in the week I was able to run the brake lines and get them tightened to the through fuselage fittings. The Brake master cylinders are in place but not secure. Additionally, the rudder pedals are laying next to the brakes so that I can check the fit and determine the length of flexible lines I'll need from the brake master cyl. to the fuselage fittings.
It's coming along....

Yesterday's project was to add piano hinge to the gear leg coverings.

Adding the wing tip attach strips. The LED nav/strobe units get an acrylic cover. Just inboard of that is the cutout for LED landing lights. These units put out 1350 lumens and have a built in Wig/Wag feature. They also get a molded acrylic cover.

Last week I got the cowl mostly adjusted. Next week I plan to get the bottom of the cowl secured and all the fittings in place. It was a big help seeing how David Read and Gary Green attached the nose of their cowls. I also got some good ideas for enging baffles from both. A peak and a photo are worth at least 2 weeks on contemplating how to work something out.

You do good work, Terry.
Cubes

Yes, very good work Terry, just keep rollin.............................Dan

Today's project will be to make up power runs to the panel. With any luck, I can have tested all the lights, radios, etc by the end of the day. It's almost time to install the fuel tank, plumb the fuel system and put the panel in for good.

66WT has a dedicated power distribution panel on the right sidewall. I'm putting in Molex connectors and a service loop to make it easier for the panel to have some 'play' in it for removal. When Dad was building N45881 he made the point that at some point the panel would have to come out again - So make it as easy as you can.