Thorp Air Command - T18.net

The weights are most likely inside the leading edge of the stabilator. That’s where they are on the majority of T-18s.

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

Disconnect rudder cables at the rudder tiller do not let them snap back inside the fuselage. Unbolt bottom rudder bolt. Unbolt top rudder bolt. Set rudder aside. Remove cover on front of vertical. Unbolt vertical at the forward base. Unbolt the four vertical bolts that you uncovered by removing the rudder. Two are hard to see under the lower rudder mount. Remove vertical. Take all fairings off horizontal. Unbolt push/pull tube from horizontal. Unbolt the weight from the horizontal. Unbolt the horizontal and remove.
Or you can strap it all down so it will not move.
Cubes

Now would be a good time to replace rudder bushings/stab bushings if they show excessive play . Hell...for what little they cost replace them anyway ! While you have the tail apart I would also check the tail wheel attach brackets inside the fus. for any "cracking."

RB

Well dug in and pulled the vertical fin off pretty easy about an hour ago and then I took off the top cover just below the vertical Fin and I wish I could put it back on. More work ahead! Glad I got a good deal on her. I may have to replace the bulkhead that the Stab mounts to. Will know mire when I get the Stab off. Lots of hurried work.

" Like a box of chocolates ! "

RB

Congratulations on your acquisition Dave, sounds like you have a true adventure in front of you getting from OKC to the great northwest (and probably already had one getting from Lufkin to OKC). If you can please take a bunch of pictures and post them so we all can live the journey with you. Hope you have a good safe trip with 27AL.

Dave

Not sure if i did this correctly.

Dave, good for you! You'll have a great aircraft when you're done. I that a home made trailer frame, or maybe a boat trailer turned backwards?

It is a boat trailer with the t18 facing aft. They are great for trailering AC. I did the same with a BD4 from AR to AK about 10 years ago.

That looks fine, although I 'think' it's just wrong to tow an airplane backwards
I towed 'Feisty' 110 miles on a trailer without removing the wing center section. I wish I had removed it, because there were a few hair raising moments meeting trucks and motor-homes when crossing those narrow truss bridges over streams & culverts.

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Scott Emery
EAA Chapter 326
T-18 N18TE