Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Hello group...
I have purchased an original kit #1212 (looks more like a pile of wreckage ) it was originally purchased in 1977 i am the third owner. I had no idea what a t-18 was till i made plans to purchase the kit.
I wanted a kit plane and put the word out, a friend told me about the thorp.... i looked at flying examples on the net and the hook was set.
I work for American eurocopter in Mississippi. I am an aircraft mechanic, avionics specialist, and machinist. I was thinking 'no problem i build aircraft everyday'
now that i have the kit, plans, and some tools i figure i could get started... that is till i started reading.
I have read through the original news letters... this site and articles from magazines.
I dont know how they put one of these together without the internet...
I have started the inventory and know i am missing parts... but i do have a full set of plans.

-phil

Phil;
Welcome to our group!
Work on your French, Thierry has been posting some very detailed info on his rebuild.
His pictures might be helpful with giving 'the big picture' along with reading the plans and newsletters.

_________________
Scott Emery
EAA Chapter 326
T-18 N18TE

Hi Phil,

Welcome. If at all possible you should join us at Kentucky Dam next weekend.

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Matt Smith
Des Moines, IA
55RC

Even though i am very close to ky i am saving vacation time and money for a trip to the gulf at the end of oct.
having said that i would very much like to attend in the future, as i am interested in seeing some flying examples.
had i known about thorps i would have checked them out at oshkosh in 2008....
i just attended an EAA fly in here in miss last weekend where RVs were well represented... i wonder if they took some inspiration from the T18.

Welcome to the group and hopefully it won't take you 27 years to complete ! Started mine in 1984 and first flight April 3rd. 2011 .

RB

What is that above the pitot tube out at the wingtip. And is that hoerner wingtip... mine are the stock ones.... i am worried about using 36 year old fiberglas.
Btw that is a beautiful bird. Congrats on the completion.
i have many structure guys verbally comitted to helping... bribing them with food and beer helps.

Thanks Bro . Above the pitot is an LED landing lite and yes they are Hoerner (sp) wing tips . Got the tips from Classic Sport Aircraft . I dislike working with fiberglass as much as I like D.C. at the moment .

RB

Welcome to the Group!! We are honored to have you aboard! Recomendation: Get yourself to a Thorp Gathering as soon as you can, you will learn a lot of the tricks to get one of these birds Flying. Right after you get flying in the Thorp make sure you attend a gathering where Captain Cubes and his renagades have gathered! this is a riot..............Rich, that thing always looks sharp every time I see it!!. Dan

Salut Phil!

Happy to read you this morning. I hope you put pictures and description about your inventory. This small plane is easy to build, drawing has some small mistake but you just has to take your time! If you need information this forum is a real encyclopedia. Just post a question and the answer happen almost instantly.
See you later!!!

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

Dan : Just like you ! Sharp looking and highly polished ! BOOM !

RB

I your bird IFR rated?

Ben lurking on your thread for a week before i joined... it should be titled how not to build a thorp... and what to do to correct mistakes.

Welcome Phil,
You will enjoy the build process as much as flying. This plane is a hoot! Ask any question. No stupid questions on this site. We all want safe, fun birds built.
There are many examples of IFR birds out there. Including mine.
Cubes
Las Vegas

Phillip:
While in the RCAF the 1st fixed wing aircraft I worked on was the CC-115 de Havilland Buffalo. At the time they where 24 years old, today these aircraft are still flying SAR roles with 52 years of service. Many of the fairings, scoops, wing tips are fiberglass and are original equipment. SAR aircraft take a beating due the nature of the job ~exceed what you are likely to put your Thorp thru~ and the fiberglass part survived.

I can not speculate the condition of your fiberglass due to how your parts were stored since 1977 however, fiberglass can be operated / maintained/ repaired for a long time.
My recommendation would be to remove and inspect for cracks.
Then you have a couple choices:
1. buy replacements,
2. repair or,
3. keep the old ones for molds to make new replacements.

_________________
Victor J Thompson
C-GIRQ
In memory of Dad