Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Salut!
I take ''OFF'' at work today I need to work more on my big toy's!!!

So I start with the access panel for the fuel sender. I do the cut-out in the top skin and I bend small juggle to accomodate the doubler under the skin.


Doubler in place with clecos.


I cut and trim the access plate for a perfect fit.


Okay,okay I skip some step but I cut the doubler, riveting the parts with the skin and I installed the 8-32 flush nut plate.


Et voila a almost perfect fuel sender cover!


Next phase is my windshield strip. I start working on that almost 2 weeks ago but it's the perfect timming to finish this task.
After the first try....I have a real IFR plane....no more visibility on the front!


Now is better. both side are adjusted and drill.


I put the rear canopy to see the look of my beast. I have more work to accomplish on the canopy. Lot of cutting and lot of sanding.


After a perfect day ''shit hit the fan'' >:(

I do nothing...I just put the canopy in place and...I dont know...
I do a small stop drill just for the form! I refused to installed this cracked canopy. I'm so desapointed
I'm able to glue the canopy but I dont want to change this big parts when the plane was in flying condition. (in case if the crack continu)
This bubble canopy was brand new but old. Lot of bad hole and lot of bad cutting. The older owner try to install this big piece but he has no skill to doing that.
Tomorrow I call MustangAero to take information about new glass and the quote for the parts and the shipping...

Beer time now!
Chin, Chin!!!

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

Thank you!! I put a fuel level access panel in too, but my implementation wasn't very good. I was wracking my brain trying to figure out a way to fix it. Now I know!

Between my canopy story I jump back with another step. I start the modification C-580-17-19.
Easy job beacuse the plane was in entire piece!
Parts was cut and the juggle is completed.


The new versus old!


And the same story priming time...


Tomorrow I install all thye parts and finish this mod and get ready for the next adventure

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

There is a pattern here - all the Canadian medal winning athletes at the Olympics are from Kebec.....

Honestly, Thierry....If I were to start building tomorrow, I think I could damn near finish an aircraft from this thread alone. If I were again at Carnival, I would drink a Caribou in your honour.

_________________
Fraser MacPhee
N926WM
Serial #279-1
Angel Fire, NM (KAXX)

I went through the same experience with my canopy cracking during the install process . Not sure why it cracked , but that day was a BAD day !

RB

Thierry is my hero. And Lee. And anyone else who built a good airplane.

Thierry, is your father available to buck some rivets sometime? ;-)

My father is retired!!! He has lot of time and he like working on airplane but he speak English like a Spanish cow and he like red wine.....My entire family is from France

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

Les orteils me grattent comme c'est pas possible . Peux-tume server un verre de vin ?

Translated to English...your work is outstanding !

RB

Et voila ''Richard'' Come in Montreal and I share this bottle of wine with you


Sine my last post I put my both 0,063 patch each side of the fuselage, and between 2 cup of french wine I finish the riveting


I never like my first fuselage door shape. I finally decide to removed the (old/new) access panel and making a better one this time.


I installed the receptacle for the D-Zus fastner on each side of the surface.


You better be a real contortionist to install the 8 fastner inside the fuselage. My access door is not very large.


The new door is cut and adjusted. I put stiffner inside to put more strengh on the panel.


Early 2013 model...


And the late 2014 model!


Perfect gap all around the pattern

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

After the installation of the flaps pulley bracket I try to design a esay removeable floor for the baggage compartment.
When I purchase the plane the only thing on the baggage area back was nothing...no place and no floor to put a oil can or a small lunch box
I call this operation ''Get in Get out''

I take 0,025 I draw and cut the rear thunnel.


Thunnel taking shape!


The basic angle structure is temporary installed and the aluminium box fit perfectly.


The floor is in 0,025. Left pannel is done.


From the rear to the front. I check the gap for the freeplay of the rudder cable. No problem at this stage.


And the last step for the certification...The weight of a small box
I want to put a box of Aeroshell oil but I prefer the taste of the beer
Maybe tomorrow I have the time to start and finish the right side floor.


Just a teaser for the next episode....



Yep...center section rib sample is on the developping stage

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

All my nose ribs are cut


Same for the ribs between the main and the rear spar


I have to make all the molds now!

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

10 000 clicks!!!!!!
20 000 before I do my first rool out!!!
We need to put the T-18 plane back on the map!!!

10 000 merci

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

1,5 month since my last post
Too much work at the shop....Too much other project to put back in the air....Sping is here in Montreal so I flew more with my PA-20!!!
Lot of works on the ribs center section. I received a very nice help from ''Victor Thompson''. He pass me a set of aluminium ribs mold for the wings and he saved me lot of time to build this dye.
I installed the spar to see the exact fit of all the parts I made.


Ribs fit perfectly.


At this point attatch the outer wings was a piece of cake.


For the very first time my THORP look like a real Plane!!!


Next step is to put the skin on the center section. Now, I hold for the material Maybe I receive my order from Spruce at the end of the week.
Cheers!

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

I do some clean-up.
I strip the paint from the engine mount.


And with TLC and some aluminium paste the engine support like new. I have to put a big ''X'' on the calendar. A perfect parts with nothing to do


Working on the engine mount give me the kick to open the engine.


All cylinders was removed. No corossion inside


I post more pictures about the engine and the cylinders. I have to wash all the parts, removing the valve on all cylinders...I do a home made top overhaul!
Last time I work on a 320 my engine finish with this shape

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

Muey Bueno !

RB