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New member, New project - Returning N85FT to the skies!
http://t18.net/thorpforum/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=8731		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  motoflightguy [ Tue Aug 30, 2022 5:56 pm ]
Post subject:  New member, New project - Returning N85FT to the skies!
Hi everyone!

My name is Ryan, but a lot of people refer to me as "moto". I am the new owner of a Thorp T-18 project, N85FT. I wanted to introduce myself and share the few photos I have of it at the moment.

This is how I found it, stored in a barn/hangar for the last 20 years
Image

Here it is after I got it back to my hangar
Image

And finally it is all cleaned up and somewhat organized back in my hangar
Image

There's a decent amount of work to do, but it's a solid airplane. Luckily I live in central Illinois (hmm, might be the first time I've considered myself lucky to live here), and I am close to Dave Read and Tim Mason. I immediately conned them into coming up to check out the airplane and tell me if I had made a mistake, or if I did good. They thankfully approved of the project, so now I just need to get to work! I'm sure I will have a million questions going forward, so hopefully you all can bear with me.

I run a small youtube channel where I will document the whole process. Stop by if you want, and I'll post links here as I get videos up.

http://www.youtube.com/motoflightguy
Author:  Andrew [ Tue Aug 30, 2022 8:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New member, New project - Returning N85FT to the skies!
Congrats on the purchase. I'll be looking forward to seeing how it goes.
Author:  James Grahn [ Wed Aug 31, 2022 9:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: New member, New project - Returning N85FT to the skies!
Welcome Moto,
You will absolutely love this little bird. Please take some time and attend one of the regional fly ins. Great people.
If you need anything, let me know.
Cubes
Author:  motoflightguy [ Wed Aug 31, 2022 7:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New member, New project - Returning N85FT to the skies!
Thanks guys! Curious, has anyone done a write up explaining the process of skinning the outboard wings? My project is going to require me to rebuild the outer left wing, and while I have had it explained to me once, I wish there was a document I could review.
Author:  motoflightguy [ Sun Sep 18, 2022 7:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New member, New project - Returning N85FT to the skies!
I forgot to make the updates here. So far I have documented the process of digging the airplane from the barn, hauling it home, and now starting to tear it down. There are 2 videos up on my Youtube channel as of now. I'm going to document with photos here as well when I get to it.

Hauling airplane home from barn:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btYlg0f9iNk&t

Removing Engine:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48kEfXN7iHQ&t
Author:  peterjaypriest [ Sun Sep 18, 2022 9:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New member, New project - Returning N85FT to the skies!
Hey Ryan,

Great video!!

I'm a relatively new Thorp guy and knew almost nothing about the design a year ago. I just wanted an airplane to fly until my Glasair was done. After looking at a few, I found and bought an excellent T18 and, although it had been sitting, had old avionics, etc, it flew, and I was hooked.

I've had my T18 for less than a year and, in that time, did a ton of work just to make it safe, plus a new Garmin G3x panel, a/p, etc. It now does fully coupled approaches right down to the runway! What a sweet flying, fun, fast, and economical airplane the T18 is- and a real traveling machine! I think these birds are worthy of all the attention we give them.

I'll share your enthusiasm, and offer encouragement toward completion of your project. When it's done, I know you'll love it!

Looking forward to your future T18 videos...

Peter
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