Thorp Air Command - T18.net

The post Sedona Update- after Sun N Fun and a discussion with Jimmy Brod of JB Aircraft Engines, it was clear that my intended engine would not be what I expected. The engine came off a turbo normalized Twin Commanche. Good engine fit for the Thorp....But, I'm not using the turbo part AND the pistons are rated at 6.5 to 1. That would only give me about 145 hp. Not good. So the engine took a nice ride on Yellow Freight. Jimmy's shop will install 9:1 pistons, new rings and then put my exhaust system on the engine and run it in their test stand. When I get it back - before the end of May- All I'll have to do is add engine mount, fuel lines, P leads and she's ready to run on the airplane.
In the mean time, the panel is almost all connected to the airframe. I'm making my final assembly list to make sure I don't have to install/uninstall items too many times.
The last 'big' install is now the windshield and canopy.

The windshield install has begun. I've made two passes with the Dremel cutting tool. It's about time to go with the belt sander for final fit.



I had to install the ailerons, counter balance weights and wingtips to check the fit and gaps.

Left aileron and trim tab. The figelli motor is inside the aileron using a 4-40 rod from the Hobby store to drive the trim tab.

I have the initial size of the windshield done. Now I'll drill the holes and finish the edges. Thanks to a quick call to Cubes, I'll work down to 400 grit sandpaper to finish all the edges.

You do good work Terry. Just make sure all of the edges look polished. Holes too. No chips or imperfections on the edge.
Cubes

A Unibit works to remove burrs and polish the attach holes . You can use it on both sides of the hole . Practice on some scrap first .

RB

The windshield and canopy are almost completed. My engine has been overhauled and next week will be shipped by to the shop. The engine shop took a little longer to get the engine done - not their fault. The report on the engine was very good. It made really good power on the test stand. This should be exciting. An IO-320 that is putting out just shy of 180 hp. With any luck I can have 218TH flying before the end of this year.

This is a better photo of my final panel configuration.

Nice and clean - with wigwags - and left and right mag switches - no key?

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

That is the way mine is except my mag switches are mounted away from other switches so they cannot be accidentally switched.

I like the clean look but I prefer circuit breakers to fuses because of the spare fuse requirements for night flight (applies to IFR as well).

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Thorp T18
O-320-B3B (160 HP)
68x74 Sterba Propeller

"The joke in aviation is, 'If you want to make a million, you'd better start with £10m.' " -Bruce Dickinson

Terry, if you get bored one day, I would be interested to hear how you plan to attach the top of the panel to the bulkhead aft of the fuel tank. I have never figured out an elegant solution. You panel looks great by the way.

Ryan, My fuselage has a 'sub frame' behind the standard frame. With it there I am using cushion studs to hold the top in place. Let me see if I can find a photo...it's worth a thousand typed words.


you can kind of see it in this photo. The angle piece is what the bottom of the panel rests on. I'll keep looking for a better shop of the upper frame.

Terry

Found it! Hope it helps.

That helps alot. Thanks Terry. I like it.

Here's trim for the windshield between the roll bar and dash