Thorp Air Command - T18.net

I bought a used cowl hoping I could use it on my project.....turns out maybe not. You can see in the first picture that I am happy with the spacing between the cowl and the spinner bulkhead. But when it fits at the spinner, look at how off-center and crooked the rear of the cowl meets the fuselage. Whats the best way to fix this?

Make some two-ply fiberglass sheet. You lay it up on some sheet metal well waxed. It will be flexible enough to scarf-bond to your existing parts. Then glass a third layer on to stiffen the whole thing up. Make it over-sized and trim to fit. Remember, new motor mounts will sag at least a quarter of an inch once they take a set.

_________________
Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

ok, thanks Bob, thats what I'll do, much appreciated!

Just FYI, after more than a year of waiting, our fiberglass parts are again being manufactured.
Cubes

I need to make a 4 foot long bend with a .090 (3/32) radius. I don't have a sheet metal brake handy. Anyone have a simple method to bend this .032 thick aluminum sheet with a 3/32" radius?

In case your wondering, I am trying to bend the rear spar on the inner wing. I goofed up drilling a hole on my existing spar, so I had to drill it out and replace it. Bummer.

You really need a brake. It’s hard enough to make them an accurate size.
Cubes

We'll, you guys with brakes and shears are cheating dogs! I found myself a brake and stomp shear to make my spar. That was too easy! Here are a couple pics.

I am re-installing my rear spar on the center wing section. I can't figure out the sequence in which to rivet it all back together so that I can drive all the rivets. I was going to peel the top skin back and install the rear spar. Then, rivet the top skin back on. But, the wing walk stiffeners are keeping me from getting the inner portion of the aftmost skin-to-rib area driven. I know it can be done, I just can't think through the correct sequence.

the circled rivets are the rivets which I cant reach due to the wing walk stiffeners. The stiffeners do not let the skin "peel back" but rather keeps its stiff.

The inboard rib has to come out.

_________________
Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

ah, yes, ok, I see that now. That thought didn't strike me. Thank you for the tip.

Well, I got humpty dumpty all put back together again. Thanks for all the tips.

Where does everyone buy their T18 exhaust system from?

I used Custom Aircraft Parts
Aircraft Exhaust Systems Specialist
14374 Olde Hwy. 80
El Cajon, CA 92021
http://www.customaircraft.com

RB
NX115RX

thanks Rich. i'll give them a call.