Warbird Information Exchange

I'm working on the cockpit of my T-6 now which has ben completely stripped out to bare tubing.

Does anyone hve any suggestions of what components or systems should be installed in what order? Should I do the controls first, the hydraulic shelf and hydraulic system first, or what?

I'm thinking from the bottom up, but that may not be the best way. Can anyone who has actually done this offer advice?

Every airplane has one piece that is jigged in place and the rest of the plane is built around it, and on th T-6, the piece is the master cylinder.

If you have the truss mounted in a turning fixture, any order you go should work. I would install the Hyd shelf first as so much ties into that.

I would suggest buidling the hydraulic control shelf off the airplane on a rotisserie so you can roll it upside down and get to ever part of it. Once it is completely assembled w/rods, install it. Then plumb the lines to it. Trying to get under it to put all the springs and cables etc. in while it is on the airplane is a real pain.

We generally put them together in this process:

1.) Control stick yoke.
2.) Rudder pedals
3.) Left Floor front floor pan and hydraulic pump mount.
4.) Hydraulic control shelf.

That seems to work the best..at least that is what we think after doing seven of them like that since just before OSH. It seems to allow you to access to all the things you need without getting in the way of each other.

I like Tims plan, start on the inside and work your way out.

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If God had wanted man to fly behind a flat motor, Pratt Whitney would've built one.

Aim for something like this...

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"There are two types of people here; airshow whores and airshow prostitutes. The whores, like you and I, do airshow stuff for free, whereas the prostitutes are paid" - Reg Urschler

Thanks all! My plane's on the gear with the tail propped up. We are doing the hydraulic shelf as a subassembly already, so that at least is a step in the right direction.

Right now I'm working at installing the uplocks so I can get the master cylinder into place.

Thanks again for the advice!!!!!

And Trey, if I already had two restored T-6s I might consider restoring another seven. First things first though!

We did a cosmetic restoration on a Harvard some time back, so it was bolted together like yours. Master cylinder first and work your way out and up. Tim has the best setup. It would be an understatement to say that I'm jealous

Chunks