Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Here are some pictures of my T-18 rebuild/refurbish project. I acquired the project in early January 2011 after the previous owner had a landing mishap and banged up the wings and bent the gear. Since the plane had its first flight nearly 25 years ago I am taking the oppurtunity to not only repair the damage but also make some updates/upgrades.

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Fuselage before

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My First Assembly Ready to Rivet

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All Riveted up

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Roll Trim Tab Installation

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Center Section Re-Skin Nearing Completion

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Back on Straight Legs

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The Most Complete the A/C has looked so far. (Looks can be very deceiving.)

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Derek Fritschle
N27DW
618-839-1522
OLY

Looks like you are doing a fantastic job ! Having never been on the repair end of a project my hat is off to you !

RB

Looking great Derek! Looks like KY dam 2012 is within reach!

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

So, how many Thorps are there in Olney, IL?
Inquiring minds want to know.

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Bruce Finney
N18JF T-18C #262
Yelm, WA USA

Current count (projects included):4 in Olney, plus one 25 mi. away in Vincennes, IN. It won't be long and an entire squadron of RVs won't stand a chance around these parts.

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Derek Fritschle
N27DW
618-839-1522
OLY

Dereck Project looks good! I am in the same boat ...errr plane. A complete rebuild of a 30+ year old airplane. Was wondering did you replace the firewall? Or just real good at cleaning? I am right on the verge of wanting to replace mine along with the top header skin. Both just have to many holes that dont belong and I really want to change the windshield trim to (non trim) flow into the skin. But am wondering if any who have done it feel it was worth it?
Skeet

Skeet: It is worth it...IMHO. I tried to attach pics of my "trim less" windshield but could not figger out how to attach the pics from my gallery ? Bob Highley ( I think it was Bob ? ) has a tool to make the radius bend on the skin. He has pics also of the tool and the bend for his windshield.

RB

Well if you ever figure out how to do the pics please do as you know the saying. I wont go on with a thousand words
Skeet

A couple of shots of the above topic:

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Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

Thanks for the pics Bob. I have 2 questions. 1 What did you use to bolt the windshield on? 2 And do you think it would be possible to use an English wheel on that skin before mounting it?

I installed my windshield pretty much the same way Dan Eggleston did. Installed brackets to the inside frame, attached the weather strip and then pushed the glass up against the fus. skin and tightened the brackets. I think I only used 4 screws on the sides to attach the glass to the skin. Also no trim strip was installed.

RB

Got ya thanks

Skeet,

I used a .040 strip with nutplates for the area behind the instrument panel. The screws aft of the panel are secured to the cockpit trim piece with stainless nuts.

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Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

Here is a progress report on my project. It has been pretty slow going due to lack of time but hopefully the next few months are better. As you will see most of my recent progress has been adding conveniences that are standard on most t-18s. The next item on my agenda is replacing the boot cowl so I can tuck my windshield inside.

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Derek Fritschle
N27DW
618-839-1522
OLY

Looks great Derek!

I had better step it up ... you're a bit passed me I think!

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD