Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Hey guys, I'm fairly new to the thorp world and brand new to building. I have not taken the plunge into building one as of yet, but it's on the horizon. I'm just curious what the cost to build this baby is going to be? I know I know, it depends on engine, avionics, etc... I'd be looking at a t-18 with an O-320 probably, and undecided on avionics at this point (still have a while to think about that). Just curious though if anybody would be willing to divulge info on what it cost them to build? Cost for airframe only, or with it completed. Anybody keep receipts? It seems like you can buy a completed airplane for about the same as it would cost to build? I actually still want to build it myself though[:)] Also, how are the plans setup? Easy to read, or do you spend hours staring at drawings trying to figure out what the heck your looking at?? The forum is great! Thanks in advance guys.

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"What happens when you get scared half to death twice?"

Kyle,
You're in luck. One of our most active Thorp builder/drivers is a few miles away from you, David Read in Olney, IL. He's probably got the best grasp on all of your questions as he was in your boat about 5 years ago. He's finished now and has one super nice airplane.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

I know David and have even bummed a couple of rides out of him (thanks david!). I'm sure I'll be wearing him out with questions soon enough. I was just curious and looking for a wide response from several different people just to see where everyone stood. Just curious, thats all.

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"What happens when you get scared half to death twice?"

Ah ok. Well I have recent experience with rebuilding and what building I've done has been with leftover materials and or parts.

One of the beauties of the Thorp that in my opinion set it apart from the rest of the "real" homebuilts (in other words, an airplane you can actually go somewhere in) is that the T-18 was designed with the plans/scratch builder in mind. I would argue that for the price of just the Van's RV-7 kit ($31,370) a good scrounger could build and complete an entire T-18.

here's where I get that ...

I recently sold an entire T-18 "Kit" for $7500 (that's about the going rate on the second hand market and there are a couple out there right now in that range)

You can pick up a mid-time 0-320 for around $7000-$8000

Tools/Hardware figure $2000

So;

$7500 + 8000 + 2000 = $17500

That still leaves you another $12500 for Misc items such as avionics, prop, paint, etc

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Can anyone give me an idea on some sort of materials list to build the T-18, eg No. of sheets of each gauge and alum angle etc.

Go to the NL Archives (NL 1-44) You will find "Excerpts from T-18 NL's 1-12. PAGE 18...SHEET METAL MATERIAL LIST FOR 1 T-18. PAGE 234- LANDING GEAR MATERIAL LIST. There is also a sheet metal material list for the S-18. Can't remember the page number ? Type material list in "search" and it will direct you to the page for all the above. I don't remember a material list for stringers.

RB

Got it, this is just what I was looking for thank you.

I was poking around today and doing some research. I priced the sheet metal materials needed per the materials listed in the newsletter. I came up with 2500 dollars. That was less than I expected for some reason. Does that figure seem right? Where is the best place to buy?...for future reference. It seems like for 3500 or so (metal, plans, a few added tools to the shop, misc materials to get started), you could stay busy for quite awhile? Am I dreaming or does this sound right??

Can't say if $2,500 is in the ball park ? If you live near a place that sells the aluminum (Spruce) you will save a bundle on shipping ! As with any household project I always figure in an extra 10% for mistakes, etc. We all know building an airplane no one makes mistakes ! I will make one recommendation with regard to the side fus. skins...get a sheet long enough to cover w/o splicing ( I think it is 12 feet ? ) It think it looks better than the splice on the side skin .

RB

If you are starting from scratch as opposed to picking up someone else's project you can work all winter at least making ribs and bulkheads and such for a very minimal investment. There are a lot of parts that all contribute to the learning process that take time and need to be made anyway. If you don't mind not having it start to look like an airplane right away you can produce a lot of parts in a very small area too.

Airparts in Kansas City, Kansas sells sheet aluminum off a roll by the foot. They are the best place to get the continuous side material. Their prices are quite competitive and they are realy nice folks. Give them a try.

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Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

Plan on spending some money on an oil filter adapter.

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http://www.dixiefriedfabrication.com/

Forgot about Airparts . Try and combine all the skins you need in one roll . Might save on crating and shipping ? Just an idea .

RB

Plan on spending spending and spending, period. Keep lots of $100 bills handy.

Airplanes don't fly because of fluid dynamics, they fly because of money!

d

I built my S18 for about $25.000 in 1980/1990 dollars which included a used engine that I flew for 150 hours before overhaul ($6K). I built the complete airplane with the exception on the gear leg and roll bar and these just were not economical to build. The beauty of a scratch built Thorp is you pay as you build and don't have to lay out 25K for a kit up front. Some nice Thorp's have been built by the nickel and dime method for 30K depending on instruments and horse power.