1930 Waco INF Restoration update at the CMF

[daveymac82c]

Hi Gang,

I had a day off today, and instead of wasting it away like usual, I decided to hop in the car and spend my day volunteering at the Canadian Museum of Flight (CMF) at Langley Airport, BC.

Tuesdays have become the big work day at the CMF, and we had about 26 volunteers show up to take on several different tasks. A group was formed to try and remedy a leak on the Waco AQC's Jacobs 330hp engine, the Tiger Moth was having some tinkering on its Gypsy done, our 3/4 Scale P-51B Mustang was having it's annual done, our airshow trailer was having some sealing put on its roof, and finally, the 1930 Waco INF was being reassembled after having been apart for a number of years.

As I was a surprise addition to the group today I was tasked with cleaning the oil off of the belly of the Waco AQC. That was done quickly, so I moved on to the de-bugging of her leading edges. Then I got to cleaning her windows and then took my lunch break. Then I moved over to the Moth and cleaned her canopy and leading edges as well.

The INF is coming along well. She's received a new paint job and I think she'll be quite the looker when she's all back together. For decades she carried a Yellow winged, and black fuselaged scheme, but it was decided to put her back to her original factory colours with a red fuselage and silver wings. Laughter silvered of course.

Our collection has such a large number of BCATP airplanes (Harvard, Tiger Moth, Fleet Finch, and soon to be Cornell) that it was decided to stay away from having another yellow biplane, and thus the red and silver was picked.

Here are some shots of the fuselage while it was being fitted with the little bits and dudads that make her a plane.



And here's the center section fuel tank showing the colour that the wings will be.



And here's the black and yellow she used to carry.



I hope you all enjoy this little update. I'll be sure to fill you in more when more bits and dudads are added to the INF.

And if any of your are wondering about the Fleet Canuck, she's been put into storage until September when she'll be covered, painted and reassambled.

Peace,

David M

[Fouga23]

Looks great

[daveymac82c]

So I was out at the CMF last Tuesday to help out and I got my hands dirty working on the Waco INF.

This update is a little late, so there has most likely been more done to the INF than what I am mentioning. The fuel tank/center section has been mounted into position and the wires are all being sorted out and tightened up. The tail feathers have also been trial fitted. I was helping with that and I gotta say, the trim system for the flying tail is rather confusing. We figured out that the horizontal stabilizer is a lot easier to get on when the trim wire is disconnected. We also figured out that the wires that connect the bottom side of the horizontal stabilizer to the fuselage need to for the INF and not belonging to a Fleet Canuck (which are longer and had us scratching out heads for a little bit). Thankfully we figured it out and we found the proper wires. I think that over the next few weeks were going to see her really coming together.

I suppose I could also mention that our Waco AQC is giving us issues. Or at least its Jacobs engine is. There is an oil leak coming from somewhere, and it doesn't seem to be getting any better. The boys have been trying for a few weeks now to figure out where the leak is, but so far with no luck. They've tried putting dye into the engine, and they're considering some sort of powder test. I certainly hope they get her fixed before the Abbotsford Airshow and the Chilliwack Flight Fest.

That's all for now.

Peace,

David M

[wacoykc]

i have noticed several things about the airplane that are cosmetic/original deficienies and I realize this is how the airplane came to you. This is not criticism. The headrest is completely wrong. It should extend to the vertical fin. The instrument panel on a INF/RNF/KNF was never wood. They were aluminum with an oval insert with the instruments within that oval. They came with two styles of panels, one all Pioneer instruments and one all Consolidated instruments. The original trim is not wire but is 3/16 cotton sash cord with 142 knots tied 1 3/4" apart. This then threaded through a series of fingers in a circular fashion mounted to the jackscrew. The brakes were located on the throttle and were mechanical. Forward for throttle and pull down towards your lap for brake. On the INF/RNF/KNF, you must mount the cabane struts to the center section first, then mount to fuselage. If you do it the other way around it will never fit correctly and you will have a hard time getting the bolts to fit. The upper wings all have special cone-shaped bushings that must be installed first before mounting the wings. The landing gear shock struts have a special one piece gear fairing (yours are missing). Trim and fuel shutoff are on the right side of the fuselage in the rear cockpit. The windshields are single piece plexiglass or Lexan (originally pyralene with no frame. We have two RNF's and a KNF in my hangar. Feel free to contact me for advice.

Andy

[daveymac82c]

Hi Andy,

thanks for all the input. I know that every little bit of knowledge will help this restoration. There were a lot of things about our INF that I had no idea about. Very interesting stuff for sure. I do know that the guys were having one heck of a time getting the cabane struts to fit. I'm not sure if they succeeded, but I'll pass that little bit of info none-the-less. And, about the gear fairing; do you know of where a set could be acquired, and what kind of price they'd be?

I'll forward what you told me to one of the main guys working on the INF and hopefully it'll help avoid some more issues in the future.

I'm not sure it I heard it right, but Ray, the head of the restoration team told me that he's been in touch with you. In any case, if this isn't the case I was wondering if you could provide me with your contact info, if we've got any more questions.

Cheers,

David M

[wacoykc]

To have a set of fairings made will run about $1500. Sent you a PM about contact info.

[flyin4]

Hi Dave,

Came across your post today in regards to the INF restoration at the museum. I too am restoring an INF basket case. Courtesy of Andy who posted previous as well as others, I have collected quite a few prints, photos, and misc info for the INF. Just holler if you have questions.

George

[Canso42]

What's the tail # of the INF? Looks like six hundred something Yankee. Davey, tell us about the Lizzie behind the Waco.

[daveymac82c]

Here's a video the CMF posted on facebook showing the Waco INF having its engine run for the first time in 8 years. The INF is inching closer to its first flight post restoration, but most likely won't take to the skies again until the spring.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLnz9AwkRgo

Peace,

Dave M

[US185damiani]

Hi Dave,

Here's a couple of photos of Andy and Susan's one RNF and Joe Kaminska's RNF restored by John and Scott Shuh.

[1bdvet]

Thanks!