Been a while...

[beaky]

We started the recovering of the 2-33 recently, pulling off the rudder and horizontal stab and strippingthem, but today we got into the nitty-gritty, now that a hangar became available temporarily.


We'd hoped to tug it all the way to the hangar, but couldn't clear the trees along the taxiway so we stopped at JP's hangar to take the wings off first. Easy job with lots of manpower- the hardest part was making sure all the hardware got bagged and labeled properly.






She looks big in here... and definitely crying out for a makeover. We'll strip the fabric off the fuse this coming week. The wings could use new paint, but I don't think it will happen, if we expect to fly it this season. So far the metal all looks to be in good shape; should clean up nicely. She's gonna look great this summer.





Got in a quick Champ flight with Pat before it got dark... that was a nice change of pace, to say the least. I've been going crazy not being able to fly.





Almost looks like spring, but of course it's gonna snow this weekend. Nice and smooth up there today, and pretty good vis.






Bonus shot: a very classy Twin Comanche, leaving the pump with a full belly.  I think I may have posted a shot of this one before, but what the heck.

[BigTruck]

the hardest part was making sure all the hardware got bagged and labeled properly


That's the truth with my job too, making sure we have a paper trail for everything we send in to maint....

Great shots, glad to see you got airborn for a bit, I've been secretly missing the gliding posts... as jealous as I get lol  My buddy got to go gliding with his wife for valentines day, he managed to rub it in this weekend over a bottle of scotch...

[Hagar]

Interesting job you have there.

Almost looks like spring, but of course it's gonna snow this weekend.

Not sure this is the ideal time for this type of work.

I know the 2-33 is a very successful design but considering it's a trainer I'm surprised how delicate that front fuselage looks with the canopy & door off.

[expat]

I have done total strips including fuselage frame repaint of a couple of K13's and a K8, you are going to have lots of fun. What will you recover her with, linen or seconite (or similar). I did the K8 in linen, that was really fun, just like a model aircraft, tensioning up and then doping. The K13's where seconite, not as much fun, but so much quicker, though the life of it is not as long.

Matt

[Fozzer]

...I've got my eyes firmly planted on that nice, yellow, "Peterbilt?", long bonnet Snow Plough, in the corner...;)...>>>>

http://timstrucks.web.aplus.net/timpbwork.htm

Paul...G-BPLF...FS 2004...and Highway 80... 8-)...!

[beaky]

...I've got my eyes firmly planted on that nice, yellow, "Peterbilt?", long bonnet Snow Plough, in the corner...;)...>>>>

http://timstrucks.web.aplus.net/timpbwork.htm

Paul...G-BPLF...FS 2004...and Highway 80... 8-)...!

LOL!! I realized when editing these that somebody would comment on the truck... it is pretty cool.  I'll get some close-ups later.

[beaky]

Interesting job you have there.

Almost looks like spring, but of course it's gonna snow this weekend.

Not sure this is the ideal time for this type of work.

Well, you can't do it when the weather's fine... that's when it should be flying!! As for working temps of the chemicals, etc... those of us who are qualified and experienced know exactly what to do; we're better-prepared than it might look. And the rest of us will be learning a lot (reminds me I have to do some studying of the excellent Poly-Fiber "How to" book today).

I know the 2-33 is a very successful design but considering it's a trainer I'm surprised how delicate that front fuselage looks with the canopy & door off.

Don't let that fool you. It's definitely stronger when it's all together, but that fuse frame is all very nicely-welded steel tubing, all the way to the nose (which is covered with a fiberglass bowl). It's very strong. And the steel is in great shape, considering. I think the plan is to strip and repaint the entire frame. And of course, as you start removing things towards that end, you start thinking "well, maybe we should repaint this, or replace that..."
I'm thinking we'll get a little carried away, it will take longer than we want, but it will be worth it.

[beaky]

I have done total strips including fuselage frame repaint of a couple of K13's and a K8, you are going to have lots of fun. What will you recover her with, linen or seconite (or similar). I did the K8 in linen, that was really fun, just like a model aircraft, tensioning up and then doping. The K13's where seconite, not as much fun, but so much quicker, though the life of it is not as long.

Matt

I thought it was the other way around? Traditional cellulose dope-and-cotton jobs weather very quickly, whereas the synthetics will last almost indefinitely if cared for properly. It's possible that a well-done cotton covering is a little stronger (puncture-wise) when it's fresh, but UV damage and moisture will degrade it quickly. Back in the day, it was assumed you'd be recovering your cotton-covered plane every couple of years (or endlessly patching it, LOL). And cotton and cellulose dope burn almost as well as gasoline...  :o


We're using the Stits Poly-Fiber system... they make the fabric, sealer, UV blocker, glue, and finish coat. The fabric, which has a higher thread count than the Ceconite, is Dacron, and all of the chemical products are vinyl-based.

[Willit Run]

Looks like a lot of work in you future but, I'm sure it will be a lot of fun!!

I will get up there this year!!!

Great shots!!

[Flying Trucker]

Thanks for taking us along Sean...that Twin Comanche looks in great shape...haven't seen one of those in awhile around here.

[flyboy 28]

As for working temps of the chemicals, etc... those of us who are qualified and experienced know exactly what to do; we're better-prepared than it might look.

I presume that's why I wasn't invited. I'd blow myself up.

Nice snaps, Sean.

[beaky]

As for working temps of the chemicals, etc... those of us who are qualified and experienced know exactly what to do; we're better-prepared than it might look.

I presume that's why I wasn't invited. I'd blow myself up.

Nice snaps, Sean.

I thought of calling you, but I had forgotten it was that day and barely got there in time myself. Besides, it's important for the club members to be involved.
We had almost too many hands as it was- but we'll probably call for you when we're halfway thru the sanding and nobody wants to do it anymore.  There's a lot of sanding involved, and people who've done it tell me it's the only part that isn't fun.