Wed Feb 20, 2008 6:23 pm
No surprise about the quality of workmanship on the "Solution" tail. It was fabricated for the Wagners by Mickey Mahoney, who did the metal work on the "Sorceress" racing biplane that was designed by his son Lee. Mickey was a master metal smith with one of the SoCal aerospace firms, his workmanship was clearly outstanding. "Sorceress" is one of the most beautiful all-metal homebuilt aircraft of all time, it is currently in the Smithsonian collection.
Wed Feb 20, 2008 6:45 pm
Thanks for that info TOSG.
The connection to Sorceress is just another cool part of this whole project. I have an old magazine article at home about the whole Sorceress story and the Mahoneys--after looking at those photos, and now seeing the tail, it all makes sense.
Scott
The connection to Sorceress is just another cool part of this whole project. I have an old magazine article at home about the whole Sorceress story and the Mahoneys--after looking at those photos, and now seeing the tail, it all makes sense.
Scott
Thu Feb 21, 2008 1:12 am
Another shot of Gary's wings and tail in action...
Thu Feb 21, 2008 10:57 am
Yes, very neat info on the Sorceress connection. That was my favorite biplane back in the day. Thanks for sharing that!
And Neal, another great photo...thanks!
Gary
And Neal, another great photo...thanks!
Gary
Mon Mar 03, 2008 2:16 pm
Ok..it's been over a week since the last post here...having withdrawals... 
Mon Mar 03, 2008 2:32 pm
Ztex wrote:Ok..it's been over a week since the last post here...having withdrawals...
Yeah, me too!
I haven't been able to work on it due to work related issues and the non-arrival of my paint yet. However, I was told that the paint will be shipped today so perhaps after this coming weekend's Winter Staff Conference activities (
), I'll be able to get back to work on the racer.
Gary
Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:30 pm
Sorry to thread jack, I found this in a stack of mags I had, yours if you want it Gary.
Tue Mar 11, 2008 1:14 pm
No problem hijacking the thread with that. I would very much like to have that magazine with Maybee's Baby on the cover! I'll happily pay for it and the shipping. Check your PM's for mailing info.
Gary
Gary
Sun Mar 23, 2008 12:49 pm
Well, I know it's been a while since my last update, and in an effort to slow down the requests for another one 
, here's a quickie update.....
As you all know, my wings have been ready for paint for over six weeks now. I have been waiting for my paint to arrive, but it seems the parcel company, who's employees wear brown uniforms, lost the first batch sent to me. They are supposedly working on an insurance claim for the loss, but that could take months to resolve. My paint sponsor, Matt Jackson (working with PPG Paints), has had another batch of paint shipped via the "other" parcel company who should've had it absolutely, positively here last week...but still nothing. 
We will check the tracking of the shipment tomorrow, so at this point, I have no idea where the paint is.
So, on that note, since I'm now waaaaay behind on Another Solution, I felt I had to start another project, even though the wings weren't yet completed. Yesterday, I decided to go ahead and do some work on the ailerons and get them covered up next. During my test fitting of them on the wings recently, I noticed that the Depleted Uranium counterweights were a bit loose. So, I went in and replaced the hardware holding them onto the ailerons. Well, actually, at this point, I've only been working on the left aileron.
As I type this, I'm in the fabric covering stage of the left aileron. I've been taking pictures and will post them in a more thorough update upon completion of this little project. I'll then move on to the right aileron and do the same thing.
So anyway, there's a quick update to let you know what's going on with Another Solution. Stay tuned, as it's about to get busy here. My new cowlings should be arriving any day now, along with my instrument package. Yay!
Gary
, here's a quickie update.....
As you all know, my wings have been ready for paint for over six weeks now. I have been waiting for my paint to arrive, but it seems the parcel company, who's employees wear brown uniforms, lost the first batch sent to me. They are supposedly working on an insurance claim for the loss, but that could take months to resolve.
My paint sponsor, Matt Jackson (working with PPG Paints), has had another batch of paint shipped via the "other" parcel company who should've had it absolutely, positively here last week...but still nothing. We will check the tracking of the shipment tomorrow, so at this point, I have no idea where the paint is.
So, on that note, since I'm now waaaaay behind on Another Solution, I felt I had to start another project, even though the wings weren't yet completed. Yesterday, I decided to go ahead and do some work on the ailerons and get them covered up next. During my test fitting of them on the wings recently, I noticed that the Depleted Uranium counterweights were a bit loose. So, I went in and replaced the hardware holding them onto the ailerons. Well, actually, at this point, I've only been working on the left aileron.
As I type this, I'm in the fabric covering stage of the left aileron. I've been taking pictures and will post them in a more thorough update upon completion of this little project. I'll then move on to the right aileron and do the same thing.
So anyway, there's a quick update to let you know what's going on with Another Solution. Stay tuned, as it's about to get busy here. My new cowlings should be arriving any day now, along with my instrument package. Yay!
Gary
Mon Mar 24, 2008 6:36 pm
Woo-Hoo!!! My cowlings for the racer arrived today, along with the canopy frame, turtledeck, and spinner! I was able to finish covering the left aileron today this evening, so that's good news as well. I'll get the right aileron done and then prime and wet sand them both. It would be nice if I can get all of that done this week, but I'm not sure if my work schedule will allow for that. We'll see.
I'll try to get a photo update of the aileron work and the new cowling stuff done tomorrow.
Gary
I was able to finish covering the left aileron today this evening, so that's good news as well. I'll get the right aileron done and then prime and wet sand them both. It would be nice if I can get all of that done this week, but I'm not sure if my work schedule will allow for that. We'll see.
I'll try to get a photo update of the aileron work and the new cowling stuff done tomorrow.
Gary
Mon Mar 24, 2008 9:57 pm
And we shall be waiting for the update.
Just so you know Gary, I am sure there are many of us waiting with baited breath for your updates on this project.
It does not have to be a B-24 to keep our attention.
Just so you know Gary, I am sure there are many of us waiting with baited breath for your updates on this project.
It does not have to be a B-24 to keep our attention.
Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:26 pm
Well, here's the photo update for the left hand aileron work that was just completed.......
Here's how it looked from the start....
Then I just removed the remaining old fabric that was left behind.....
Because I discovered the counterweights were a bit loose, I needed to remove them and replace their attaching hardware. This was a bit of a chore because the way the ailerons were built, the access holes for the hardware were patched over. I used a Roto-Broach to cut new holes for access......
I also had to remove the old Bondo from the recesses the bolt heads were in.....
I was then able to simply remove the nuts and bolts holding the counterweights on and set them aside.
As I've mentioned before, these counterweights are made from Depleted Uranium. This is heavy stuff! The smaller of the two weights (pictured hanging on the fish scale below) was 2 pounds, 2 ounces. The larger of the two counterweights was 3 pounds, 14 ounces!
That's plenty of counterweight to prevent flutter for sure!
Next, I just needed to do some surface sanding to remove any old glue remnants.....
The more I work on this wing, the more I am amazed at all of the little details that were taken when it was built (back in 1970) to make it slick and fast. Here, they formed some balsa wood to fill in the gap needed to install the aileron linkage. Since the rod ends were still in great shape, I just opted to leave this alone and work around it..........
Before reinstalling the now clean counterweights, I applied some varnish to the mating surface of the wood where the counterweights will be mounted. This will serve as a moisture barrier and help preserve the wood........
Then I simply reinstalled the counterweights with new bolts and nuts.....
There was a very small ridge between the counterweights and the aileron, so I applied some Bondo to make the transition nice and smooth. I'm not a big fan of Bondo in many cases, as it's weight isn't always something I like to add. However, in this situation, most of the Bondo will be sanded off and the benefit of the smoothness will "out weigh" the weight of the material itself (pun intended
).......
Next, I decided that I liked the way the original builders of this wing had filled the recesses for the bolt heads on the counterweights, so I did the same......
Now, after a thorough cleaning and spraying a few cross coats of adhesive on the entire surface of the aileron, it was ready for covering....
First, I just cut out a piece of fabric large enough to cover the one side...
Then I used a lint free rag and applied adhesive to the edges of the fabric. After allowing the adhesive to cure a bit, I then went around the edges with a scalpel and removed the excess fabric........
That was followed by going over the fabric with an iron at 250 degrees. This got all of the wrinkles out and pulled the fabric nice and tight throughout.........
I then went around the edges with the modeler's iron to finish off the details........
And once that was complete, I applied the adhesive to the center portion of the fabric and that was pretty much it. I did the same to the other side and the aileron is ready for primer........
As I mentioned before, my cowlings showed up yesterday. I am utilizing the cowlings and fairings from the Sno Shoo racer and A.J. Smith has been great to work with. Their website is http://snoshoo.com/ . There is quite a bit of fitting and trimming to do on these cowlings and such, but it's sure going to be a great addition to the airplane once that's all done! Here's what they look like now.......
So, that's all I have to update right now. I will get to work on the right aileron this week (in theory), and hope to get it done. I'm also hopeful my paint will arrive this week so that I can get the wings finished. Stay tuned.
Gary
Here's how it looked from the start....
Then I just removed the remaining old fabric that was left behind.....
Because I discovered the counterweights were a bit loose, I needed to remove them and replace their attaching hardware. This was a bit of a chore because the way the ailerons were built, the access holes for the hardware were patched over. I used a Roto-Broach to cut new holes for access......
I also had to remove the old Bondo from the recesses the bolt heads were in.....
I was then able to simply remove the nuts and bolts holding the counterweights on and set them aside.
As I've mentioned before, these counterweights are made from Depleted Uranium. This is heavy stuff! The smaller of the two weights (pictured hanging on the fish scale below) was 2 pounds, 2 ounces. The larger of the two counterweights was 3 pounds, 14 ounces!
That's plenty of counterweight to prevent flutter for sure!
Next, I just needed to do some surface sanding to remove any old glue remnants.....
The more I work on this wing, the more I am amazed at all of the little details that were taken when it was built (back in 1970) to make it slick and fast. Here, they formed some balsa wood to fill in the gap needed to install the aileron linkage. Since the rod ends were still in great shape, I just opted to leave this alone and work around it..........
Before reinstalling the now clean counterweights, I applied some varnish to the mating surface of the wood where the counterweights will be mounted. This will serve as a moisture barrier and help preserve the wood........
Then I simply reinstalled the counterweights with new bolts and nuts.....
There was a very small ridge between the counterweights and the aileron, so I applied some Bondo to make the transition nice and smooth. I'm not a big fan of Bondo in many cases, as it's weight isn't always something I like to add. However, in this situation, most of the Bondo will be sanded off and the benefit of the smoothness will "out weigh" the weight of the material itself (pun intended
).......
Next, I decided that I liked the way the original builders of this wing had filled the recesses for the bolt heads on the counterweights, so I did the same......
Now, after a thorough cleaning and spraying a few cross coats of adhesive on the entire surface of the aileron, it was ready for covering....
First, I just cut out a piece of fabric large enough to cover the one side...
Then I used a lint free rag and applied adhesive to the edges of the fabric. After allowing the adhesive to cure a bit, I then went around the edges with a scalpel and removed the excess fabric........
That was followed by going over the fabric with an iron at 250 degrees. This got all of the wrinkles out and pulled the fabric nice and tight throughout.........
I then went around the edges with the modeler's iron to finish off the details........
And once that was complete, I applied the adhesive to the center portion of the fabric and that was pretty much it. I did the same to the other side and the aileron is ready for primer........
As I mentioned before, my cowlings showed up yesterday. I am utilizing the cowlings and fairings from the Sno Shoo racer and A.J. Smith has been great to work with. Their website is http://snoshoo.com/ . There is quite a bit of fitting and trimming to do on these cowlings and such, but it's sure going to be a great addition to the airplane once that's all done! Here's what they look like now.......
So, that's all I have to update right now. I will get to work on the right aileron this week (in theory), and hope to get it done. I'm also hopeful my paint will arrive this week so that I can get the wings finished. Stay tuned.
Gary
Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:39 pm
Gary,
That is one beautiful looking airplane! Keep up the great work, I hope to see you at PRS.
John
That is one beautiful looking airplane! Keep up the great work, I hope to see you at PRS.
John
Tue Mar 25, 2008 2:16 pm
Woo-Hoo!!! More good news! My instrument package just arrived. I am utilizing the Enigma EFIS system, by MGL Avionics ( more information about this neat little system may be found here... http://www.mglavionics.com/html/enigma.html ). MGL has become a partial sponsor to Another Solution, and they've been wonderful to work with as well. I also understand that Jay Jones (racing the Formula One racer, Quadnickel), is also going to be running this same EFIS system on his airplane.
I'm really excited to have the MGL folks on board with Another Solution!
Gary
I'm really excited to have the MGL folks on board with Another Solution!
Gary
Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:40 pm
Man, that looks like such a fun project....