Thorp Air Command - T18.net

The Thorp that will be N218TH is at the stage you see in the photos. It's ready for Electrical, Brakes, Engine, Windshield and Canopy. Oh yeah, and the mount the engine..work the cowling…
All the big parts are here. The fuselage is done. The inner and outer wing panels are complete. One of the things that impressed me on the wings was that there is a channel (irrigation funny pipe) for routing the navigation wire loom through the wing. Gap covers for the inner/outer wing panels are done. The Rudder and Vertical Stab are all complete and ready for installation. The flying stab has the external bullet weights. The canopy frame has been mounted and fits pretty well.

Once 66WT is complete, I'll turn my attention to 218TH. I'm thinking that I'll be able to progress more quickly on 218TH as there is nothing to correct (66WT). As 218TH sits today, the tail feathers are ready to attach. It could 'look' like an airplane by the weekend. I'm well acquainted with the saying - 90% done and 90% to go.

Get em both flying!
Cubes

The boot cowl has not only the fuel filler door, but access for the fuel sending unit as well


I have the "Trusty Tailwheel Spring" for this airframe and it'll be one of the first things to be replaced when I turn my attention to this airplane.

More shots of N218TH…the interior shot of the flap handle shows the nice rounded tunnel between the seats. The flap handle will be removed and this airplane gets electric flaps and trim.

Yesterday I built a shipping container at Cubes house for the cowling for 218TH. On the way to his house there was some blue foam padding next to the highway divider. My first thought was " hey, that would be ideal for packing the cowl. I got off at the next exit, turned around - back an exit to see if I could get the stuff. Sure enough it was still there. I pulled off, popped the trunk of the rental car and stuffed it in. I only needed 1 more roll of bubble wrap to secure the cowl parts In the box.

The workmanship is very nice. I had an offer to come down and use some molds, but my first attempt at making a cowl would have not been anywhere near as nice as this.

Lesson- there are parts you CAN make, but others that are better of buying.

A big shout out to Cubes for his help in assembling the shipping crate and then putting it in his truck to get it dropped off at the freight terminal.

Terry

The weather has been real nice for getting some hi fill primer on the flying stab for 218TH

And the rudder too

Great progress on both!

_________________
Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

Today while waiting for some of WT's stuff to set up, I pulled down the stab for TH and added some additional screws and nut plates for the tips. The original spacing allowed the fiberglass to 'pucker' slightly. By reducing the spacing to 1.8 " the tip is more supported.

Looks nice Terry!

_________________
Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Terry : MUEY BUENO ! I can almost hear the engine running !

RB

Gee Rich, Me too....and here's what's coming - A fresh rebuild on an IO-320-C1A that Divco converted to the 30 deg. Dynafocal mount. The plan is to swap out the sump to a Superior Cold Air Induction System. That way I can get away from the cowl scoop and just have an opening for Ram Air. It's all set up for the Hartzell prop that I have in the overhaul shop. The engine will be on site by Thanksgiving. 218TH gets closer to flying!

Beautiful work,great job

Last week I was able to get some primer on the lower main wing spar cover.

The power for N218TH has arrived. It's an IO-320 rated at 160 hp. I'll add 2 emags and swap the sump for a superior cold air induction system. The hartzell constant speed is on site as well. After the first of the year, the parts will go together for a test fit prior to disassembly for paint.

Yeehaw! Recommend you keep one mag.
Cubes