Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Made some progress lately, with the help of my minions........


....... my tank is in for good!


Fuel sender access panel 2.0 is done. Installed soundproofing.

Panel re-install next.

D

Amazing what a little warmth in the workplace will do!

_________________
Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

Never say never along in for good ! BOOM !

RB

Looks like you have it on the home stretch Dick, keep going. Just done a re-install on my tank, coulda used the help of them two little fellas ya got sitting up on the front of your bird there as well, that tank is a pain in the bung...........................Ok Rich, go ahead and clopper me again for not having the inspection cover on the sender.............By the way, the calibration of that new sender worked out perty good. At 14Gal it shows right at a half tank, when it shows empty you better be on a very short final somewhere that has fuel cause you are down to your last Gallon and be ready if the right seat is occupied, that much fuel gone the CG has run aft a bit just enough where it shows right before touch down..................Dan

Given this past winter up there, I might entertain a ski modification.....

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

where did you get your fuel tank? it looks outstanding.

It's the original tank, Ryan. It well built, but I changed the "per plans" cap to a screw cap and bung. Then I painted only the visible part with rattle can enamel paint. (Tremclad - to keep the aluminum from rusting.) I wanted to lighten up that area a bit.

Of course, handling has taken it's toll, but it still looks good to the casual viewer.

D

Installed the instruments last week. Nice combo of old and new. The LRI looks like it belongs.



Now organizing wires for the panel install. Took the wings to the airport yesterday for an aviation open house. Maybe they'll stay there.

D

Looking good Dick!

_________________
Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

I like the panel Dick, just keep movin, best I can tell you are bout there.......Dan

When you get it all wired up and throw the switch for the first time and it all lites up it will be worth it !

RB

OK... got the rudder pedals in, panel in, vacuum and static lines plumbed.

Looking good Billy Ray ! Something you might consider when you test the pitot/static system for leaks . I thought I had an air tight system until is did my own test only to find I did not apply any sealant to the instrument fittings . I removed all the male fittings from the back of the instruments and applied a little "fuel lube" to the threads and the system was air tight ! Balloon test on the pitot system and the suction cup and syringe on the static system . BOOM ! When I had the pitot/static system check for the initial mode C requirement , I had him test the airspeed, altimeter , VSI and all were within specs . Within limits for leak down .

RB

Well, the summer is over, the last guests are gone, and the work has resumed. The good news is that my rebuild of the fuel system was a success. The old plumbing barely met demand at takeoff. The new plumbing exceeds 150% of demand.

The bad news is that we crunched a flap in the process. Looks like I'll be re-skinning over the winter. I haven't looked at the newsletters yet, but I pulled the flap drawings out. Any tips on forming that compound radius in the nose of the skin?

Sorry to hear that, Dick. Some folks have formed the small radius first, then used a cushioned brake to put lots of small bends to bring it around the larger bend. Start with a way big piece of metal and trim off the excess after you get the bend in.

_________________
Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL