I need help near Houston riveting and patching Lodestar

[carlisle1926]

I have bitten off more than I can chew here with this damaged Lodestar fuselage. As insane as it may be, I intend to patch this thing up as much as possible. I realize that it has sustained severe damage and it would be easiest to chop it up and scrap it, but once I get an idea in my head you can't talk me out of it. The good news is, it will never fly again, so the patches don't have to be perfect and no one is going to inspect them. So, my question is do any of you know of any aviation people that might be willing to Volunteer some time to help me patch this beast back up? This thing is loaded with flush rivets and I have never done any serious riveting nor do I have the tools. I'm near Houston, TX. My cell phone number is (713) 817-8997. Give me a call if you have any suggestions.
Jason Barnett

Last edited by carlisle1926 on Sat Jan 28, 2012 1:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[tinbender2]

What, exactly will be the purpose of this fuselage, once it is repaired?

It's purpose will help determine what work needs to be done, and what tools as well.

[cooper9411]

Contact the local EAA chapter or, better yet, if there is a local school that has an aviation technician program, the instructor may have the class assist you and call it a class field trip. Just some suggestions, if I was close I'd help out.

[PbyCat-Guy]

By looking at some of the pics, seems you will be able to replace the skins. Use the old ones, with the holes to as patterns. I'd love to come and help.

[carlisle1926]

Contact the local EAA chapter or, better yet, if there is a local school that has an aviation technician program, the instructor may have the class assist you and call it a class field trip. Just some suggestions, if I was close I'd help out.

There is an aviation school near Hobby Airport in Houston that I might try talking to. I'll try contacting the local EAA guys too.
Jason

[carlisle1926]

The rear section is the scariest part of this thing. The Galveston Fire Department cut out the star and bar as a souvenir on one side and then cut out two roughly 4ftx6ft sections of fuselage. The section that was cut out in front of the rear door is still intact and it could easily be riveted back in place. But the right side is going to require fabrication of ribs and stringers. That is the side that they drove a 3/4 ton Chevrolet through. I don't care if it is perfect when it is done. A thick coat of olive drab will hide a lot.

[Pat]

Good luck with that!

[Steve S]

Good luck and I hope this works out for you. What is you plan for the old girl.

I can say that I have watched this particular airframe over the past 10 years or so and she has been living a less than charmed life. She started in a hanger but was traded severl times over, picked over for parts and then got caught up in the Ike Flooding. A few groups had big plans to fix her up but everyting seems to fizzle as soon as it gets started. I had wonderd what happened to it after the storm.

A little dissapointed to see that the fire department cut into her but having seen it sitting on the field for so many years not surpising.

[carlisle1926]

What, exactly will be the purpose of this fuselage, once it is repaired?

It's purpose will help determine what work needs to be done, and what tools as well.

it is to be turned into a motor home. There is another thread about this plane that shows the idea.

[carlisle1926]

Really more of a giant panel truck than a motor home.

[ZRX61]

First step is to work out what parts can be saved & then get the dents out of those parts..

& that's the easy part..