Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Both outer wings is completed. Tonight when I closed the shop I put the left and right aileron on my work bench, ready for my 9h00am coffee break !



Dorsal fin.


I have to do lot of minor adjustment but for the first try is almost correct.


I have only one word to say:

Et Voila

_________________
Thierry
French Canadian T-18
C-FPVE #091

Operation ''Aileron''

First the ugly one
Look good but the bottom skin was all done with pop rivets. When I split the skin I discover the trailing edge flat bar 0.040 2024T3 around 49 inches long was spliced at 2 different places.


Paint stripping process.


All cleaned and no corrosion on both surfaces.


New flat 0.040 trailing edge installed and the aileron is ready for riveting time.


Second aileron looks better but the suface was riveted with a small twist. All Canadian Tire pop rivets too
The bottom tip and the lead weight had a kiss with the asphalt long time ago...


The patient was in bad shape. A big lift up is recommended. I finish the first aileron and after I take some action with this one.


Cheers.

_________________
Thierry
French Canadian T-18
C-FPVE #091

Thierry
You are a master at turning crap into art!!!

Well said Doug!

Thierry you are inspiring!

_________________
Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

A regular Houdini he is ! Pulling airplane parts out of a hat ! BOOM !

RB

Yesterday is a rainy day at Montreal. Perfect morning to go at the airport and finish the right control surface part.
Aileron on the torture table...ready for the last zipping.



My rivet gun is smooking. Aileron are in place and I try fit the wing tip.



Try to fit is a big word. Look at the curve and the tip corner. Cut with jig saw...I have to sand all the old wing tip paint and repair all the mess, same for the left side



I want to start the other aileron but I have no more ammo! I need more aluminium
Thanks guy's for all the good words.
I just want a Houdini Hat to learn better english, with no french accent on the back

_________________
Thierry
French Canadian T-18
C-FPVE #091

Hi Thierry
I wouldn't worry about your English. Between your text and your pictures your messages come across very well. Great work, I'm looking forward to seeing the finished project.

Brian #505s

Hi Thorp owners!

2 weeks from my last post. I go on the web site each night to read all of you but I dont take the time to add pictures!
There is the last event between Mascouche airport and my garage at my house.

Second aileron started, new skin and rib done.




When I sand blast some part I found a small crack. I made a new one.


All parts primed and the fun is beginning.


Control almost done. I finish the aileron this afternoon.


Aileron finished, so I pick-up my flaps to make a work planification.


15 minutes later I decide to open the first one. I want to change all the pop rivets and put solid rivets.


My mistake... Again look a that
I dercided to rejected both flaps. Direction recycling can.


On the second one I found this interesting discover. I think Albert, Bob and Brian drink too much beer when he build this falps


I bend my spar.


And new mold for the ribs.




Another big job is on there way. When I finish both flaps I start the center section.
I'm affraid
Ok beer time now. Cheers!

_________________
Thierry
French Canadian T-18
C-FPVE #091

Thierry : Did you get the canopy rails I mailed to you ? Sent them USPS about 2 weeks ago ? Had to go through Customs .

RB

Last aileron in place.


I made some clean up on my Cessna quarantine and I found this Cessna 150 stabilizator tip. I try on my vertical fin and the fit was perfect. I have to add material on the back but for the front is a good start.
I have to work on that, during the night when I dream!


Finally I take some time to finish the fin installation. I just have to put rivnuts and the job is complete.


First flaps on the table. Last week I bend the spar and all ribs was formed. Now The skin is cut and leadind edge radius is forming. My father help a lot and he do a excellent job. Mesuring twice cutting once.






I have to drill all the hole on the spar and on the trailing edge. The cut-out of the skin is large. When I'm installing the flap on the wing I cut the extra material on aileron and fuselage side.

_________________
Thierry
French Canadian T-18
C-FPVE #091

First flap is done.


Primer is applied and drying time.


Left flap is on there way.


I put 50% less time to build the second one.


Primer again...


My mission for the next week. Complete one flap assembly at 100%
Et voila!!!

_________________
Thierry
French Canadian T-18
C-FPVE #091

LEVEL FAILED!

I do nothing last week on my T-18 just working on other airplane for my work...
I hope this week I have a better result for you guy's. Ribs are in place on the flaps spar.

I rivet the stiffner on both skins.


And I take a quick time maybe 15minutes to continu working on my fin tip.




I have to rush to finish my flap. Familly vacation is in 2 weeks. Flying destination CUBA

_________________
Thierry
French Canadian T-18
C-FPVE #091

Not only do you do beautiful work, you must be very fast in order to get it flying in 2 weeks!!!
I don't know of may Thorps that have been to Cuba

Thierry - I see you have that vertical stab strake piece cleco'd to the fuselage - you have probably thought of this, but unless you have large side access panels for your trim system and motor, the vert stab will need to come off to be able to work on it with ease, as well as mess with a possible stripped nut plates (and other issues) for your tailwheel assembly. Therefore, that strake should probably be screwed vs riveted to the fuselage, so that access to that front bolt on the vertical stab is as easy as possible. Sorry if you're already way ahead of me on this. I've recently spent enough time in that area to know that easy (well, as easy as possible) access is appreciated.

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

Back from the dark side of the moon!
I recharged my battery during the familly vacation.
So is time to put new pictures on my post.

The Stabilizer!

I take the time to finish the arm and both horn for the stab.


Wood mold competed. First test. Look correct.


I start the machine and all the ribs is done. I think is a seccusfull job!


First skin is design and cut. I want to cut the second one but I have no more aluminium.


I saved the rear spar. I strip the old paint, inspected the channel and applied a fresh coat of epoxy primer.


Cleaning the parts.

I take a small break about sheet metal forming. Is sand blast time.


All parts inspected and coated with primer.


I found a bad cut-out on the pilot yoke tube at the bottom.


Closer look. I don't like that. I order a new steel tube.


Next the elevator push-pull tube.


Ready for paint!


I strip all the barking system.



I order all new O-ring and I put it back.


New linning too!


Today I sand all day long the wing tip, stab tip and the wheel pan.





Mission accomplished. Lot of repair to do on all the fiber-glass parts.
Now I jump in the shower because I'm full of dust
I take a cold beer after!
Cheers.

_________________
Thierry
French Canadian T-18
C-FPVE #091