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Project Warbird · **Posted:** Mon Oct 11, 2010 8:37 pm

Hey everyone,

The trip up to Leon's was a big success. I want to thank Leon so much for everything. He has saved some great aircraft and is a great guy. I can't say enough good things about him. We packed as much stuff as we could on the truck and trailer. Trip one is done and can't wait to go back up.

Mike and Leon loading trailer.

Project Warbird · **Posted:** Sun Apr 03, 2011 2:08 pm

Hi everyone.

It's been a long winter and now it is time to get back to work. Here is an update on what is going on.

We have started meeting at the hanger on Tuesdays and Thursdays for work.

Casey and Richard working on stripping paint.

We are working on the nose cone first. Getting well into it.

This past weekend. Casey and I went down and did some more prep work on getting the last part home. We had to drill out the last long stringers to make the fuselage short enough for shipping. We also pumped up the tires and moved it so that we can get the trailer under it. Loving it!!!!!!!!

Casey getting ready.

Clear for takeoff.

Later!!!

the330thbg · **Joined:** Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:06 pm **Posts:** 2713

you know, with the right push from a hill top.., i think she would get airborne!

Enjoy your treasure and please keep us posted! :drinkers:

The Inspector · **Posted:** Thu Apr 07, 2011 9:44 am

'.....the airline started out small, but with great plans for the future growth of the business, next year we'll buy an engine maybe two. Then hopefully we can expand to a coach cabin in a couple of years.....'
How much 'PTTTTTTTT' tongue slobber is on the INSIDE of the cockpit glass?

Fouga23 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 07, 2011 10:53 am

Great update!

AviationArtist · **Posted:** Sun Apr 10, 2011 6:57 am

Eric,

It has indeed been a very long winter, but it's great to hear the news and the progress. Wish I could come over and help out. Incidentally, if anyone knows the location of a pilot's seat (the pressed-metal type), or any other cockpit parts and would be willing to swap it for a commissioned painting, do let me know.

rwdfresno · **Posted:** Tue May 03, 2011 2:44 pm

Hello,

I noticed that you are drilling apart quite a bit of the fuselage and other pieces. I'd be interested in hearing about any concerns about realigning the disassembled parts. Will you be using/making fixtures to align the parts for reassembly? Any reason you opted to dissemble the fuselage for shipping rather than using a jig to transport? Just to be clear, not trying to second guess you, just curious to how those potential issues will be mitigated.

Ryan

philipturland · **Joined:** Tue Feb 01, 2011 5:16 am **Posts:** 5

great detail shots of the work you are doing

I did send a pm a while back

looking for one of those doors with the camera opening

do you happen to have a spare one or could you get hold of one

based in UK

www.beechrestorations.com

cheers

philip

Rajay · **Posted:** Tue May 17, 2011 8:41 am

rwdfresno wrote:

Hello,

I noticed that you are drilling apart quite a bit of the fuselage and other pieces. I'd be interested in hearing about any concerns about realigning the disassembled parts. Will you be using/making fixtures to align the parts for reassembly? Any reason you opted to dissemble the fuselage for shipping rather than using a jig to transport? Just to be clear, not trying to second guess you, just curious to how those potential issues will be mitigated.

Ryan

We took a Grumman Goose completely apart a few years ago. When we made new skins using the old ones as patterns and then simply clecoed the parts back together, it was amazing to us how it drew itself back into alignment without a jig - the more clecos that were added, the tighter and more into alignment it became.

Even so, that's not something that can be counted on for new production, so we eventually designed (using SolidWorks CAD) and built a couple of whole fuselage jigs that picked up on all of the fixed reference points like the landing gear attach points, the wing attach points, and the horizontal stab/elevator and rudder attach points. Then we mapped out additional alignment reference points on the jig using a laser. The original Grumman "Erection and Maintenance" manual for the Goose (Report No. 1221) lists a tolerance of +/- 0.5 inch between the top of the vertical stabilizer and the wing tips as part of the final alignment check.

I love following the progress on this Beech 18 'cuz it has so much in common with the Goose. Keep up the good work - and keep posting progress reports!

Project Warbird · **Posted:** Tue May 17, 2011 6:00 pm

Hi everyone,

We have been working hard on the project and are making progress. I will have pics and more updates soon. I don't get much time on the computer these days. I guess that is a good thing. The nose cone is about finished and we are working on the nose fuel tanks now. Also some small bits and pieces.

Rajay,

Thanks for the input about your Goose project and talking about the jigs. We plan on doing about the same process. I'm looking at moving the project to a bigger hanger for more room, and after that we will start getting into the fuselage restoration. We will put the aft section back on the front section and jig it up. Then start restoring one section at a time to keep everything straight.

Ryan,
I hope this answers your ?

Philip,

I didn't get your PM sorry. I don't have an extra door like that. I will keep my eyes open for one. I do really love the work you guy's did on your Beech.

AviationArtist,

I do have a second seat, but I need to hold onto it until we have one restored for the project. I would hate to let it go now and then find out that we needed it. I will let you know soon.

Thanks everyone for the support.

Project Warbird · **Posted:** Tue May 24, 2011 5:29 pm

Hi everyone,

A small update on things. We will be moving into a bigger hanger July 1st.

We will not be sharing this hanger and this will give us all the room we need to work in. We haven't been in the hanger much the past couple weeks. But we have gotten a few things done.

From

To

The nose cone

and we have started on the nose fuel tanks

If anyone is flying past Asheville regional airport please stop in.
That's it for now, Later.

AviationArtist · **Posted:** Thu May 26, 2011 3:24 am

Eric, that's lovely work going on there, it's great to see even the little things being returned to original condition, well done.

Let me know if you'd liek me to start on a painting for you in exchange for the pilot seat, I can begin research and planning pretty quickly.

Dom

Project Warbird · **Posted:** Sat Jul 23, 2011 11:01 am

Time for an update.

It's been a crazy two months. First I had to find a new place to live. Moved into a house closer to the airport.

Then moved into the new hanger. With that done we had the room to bring the rest of the SNB up. Now that all of the plane is in the hanger, we can get busy working on it.

Gear up for the first time in 44 years.

Loaded and ready to go. 250 miles.

Will have more to come soon.

The Inspector · **Posted:** Sat Jul 23, 2011 11:56 am

You might want to consider building/installing some shoring through the windows to keep everything in square and plumb.

1/5_UC-78 · **Joined:** Wed Jan 19, 2011 2:22 pm **Posts:** 22

Is the black Plymouth Road Runner in the background for sale?

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