Thorp Air Command - T18.net

New top cowl installed. I modified the design a bit. I was inspired by a J3. mIght be a bit draggy but it should cool well.

Dick : I assume you found a dust boot for your master cylinder ? I still have only one that I posted earlier . If someone else wants it sing up or it goes in the swap meet box !

RB

Looks like a big mouth bass!

_________________
John Evens
Arvada, Colorado
T-18 N71JE (sold)
Kitfox 7 SS N27JE

Dick,

Seriously, make sure it is tied down prior engine start. CG is way forward without the wings on. Yes, I saw the fire extinguisher.

_________________
Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

Bob makes a very good point . Tie me wallaby down sport ! Chocks can't be big enough and don't forget to hold full back stick during the entire start/engine run sequence .

RB

I weighed the tail and it came in over 50 lb. before I got in. as per good TD technique, I did hold the stick back the whole time.

Almost everything works like it's supposed to, except the oil pressure reading... will work that out with MGL. Cyl 4 has given me trouble since I got the airplane... had plug fouling back then. I put new BY plugs in. Today it's oily plugs and a dead cylinder, intermittently. EGT was up on that cylinder, but it went dead for a bit. Probably a stuck valve, but I'm not going to judge until all the facts are in. For now I'll chalk it up to a long period not running.

The scoops definitely kept the cylinders cool.

We're getting there.

D

I abandoned the metal cowl top piece. It wouldn't have matched the glass cheeks without forming. We decided not to buy a new top piece for the same reason..... there was a good chance it wouldn't fit either. SO, I made one.

It was a lot of work, and I learned a lot. (meaning that it didn't go smoothly )





DW

That looks very good, Dick!

_________________
John Evens
Arvada, Colorado
T-18 N71JE (sold)
Kitfox 7 SS N27JE

You win the fiberglass award by sticking to it . No pun intended . Looking good Billy Ray !!

RB

It looks even better on the airplane.

Dick I know you have a lot more pics, let's share.

Lance

I would like to hear the audio of Dick using certain 4 letter words as he tries to maneuver the sticky stuff into a useful shape !! YIPPEE KI YO KI YAY !!

RB

Baggage Compartment taking shape.

Back wall, gluing on the fabric.


Behind the back wall, about to glue in the wooden spacers to get around the flanges on the bulkhead.


Back wall in place, with floor. Just used trunk liner from a surplus store over thin plywood.


Aft tunnel, trim piece, and center tunnel, all painted.

Decided to go for an inspection panel now instead of later.


Primed. Yeah, I went overboard with the number of screws.



Installed. Just need to fix up the paint.

You could make a pretty good living in TJ doing "Tuck n Roll" for one of the local auto upholstery shops !

RB