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N12055 SN79 Coming Back http://thorp18.com/thorpforum/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=7876 |
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Author: | jtwigg [ Thu May 31, 2018 1:52 am ] | |||||
Post subject: | Re: N12055 SN79 Coming Back | |||||
When I first got my Thorp, I asked the forum how people got back into the tail. I got a lot of answers and the consensus was that it was a pain and hot. I concur. Before I began, I started by building a small table to support the rear fuselage where it's essentially flat. I didn't want the fuselage skin and rivets to support my 170 lb weight and end up bending something. The table only lifted the fuselage a little so that the tail wheel was only 1/2 inch off the floor. Then I built an even smaller support for the port-side baggage compartment floor where it's a little curved. Make sure to watch out that you remove any belly strobes first and that you don't hit/bend your transponder antenna. Before climbing in, I decided to remove the stabilator and its push/pull tube. I didn't see any other way to have enough room to work. You'll probably want to disconnect your rudder cables at the pedals too. When inside the tail, try to move the disconnected and slack cables off to one side so that you don't rub them against the fuselage floor with your butt and scratch your floor. On a hot day, you'll need a fan to blow air back there. You'll also want to put something down to protect the fuselage floor metal. I used an inflatable sleeping bag cushion for camping. I found it easier to crawl out of the tail than into it. Crawling into it was kind of like a sick version of the old Twister game - but where a wrong hand placement can cut you. I have a lot of sharp metal here and there at the back of the baggage compartment and it really was a concern. Make sure to take your cell phone with you for pictures and emergency use. You should have a safety person when you're going in and out. I didn't think of that the first time . I hope this helps anyone who is thinking about how to get back there. Do any of the veteran builders have other suggestions?
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Author: | ed torbett [ Mon Jun 04, 2018 8:07 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: N12055 SN79 Coming Back |
Hello John, I can give you a little history on 55 (Double Nickel) as Bob called it. It is the second 55 that was built by Bob, the first was the open canopy and it was featured on the cover of one of the newsletters in the late 80's or early 90's, Bob flew it open cockpit from Lombard, IL to Dallas, TX (Dick Cavett) fly in, this aircraft burned in a hangar fire at Mitchell Field, Lombard, Ill in 1966 or 1967 if my memory is right then Bob built the second one. Bob's craftsmanship was first class and this was a very fast O-290. Bob quit flying 1978/1980 and sold it to one of the other builders in EAA 101 who sold it to Ed Burke in PA who flew it to OSH once. I took a picture of it and gave one to Bob and sent one to Ed. Ed's son took the airplane when his dad passed away and I don't know if he ever flew it after he made some modifications to it (gear legs) this was my last contact with 55. I worked with Bob for several years and he passed away in the 90's from Parkinson's disease. There were 5 T-18's built by the members of chapter 101 as I recall and one of which (Al N.) crashed at OSH when a wing separated (think FAA said wrong hardware used). This is all I can think of at present. Regards, Ed Torbett formerly from IL now TX. |
Author: | Jeff J [ Fri Jun 08, 2018 7:38 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: N12055 SN79 Coming Back |
The table is a good idea. Mine has a large panel in th belly behind the baggage area. It wasn’t set up to be removed (screws with nuts) when I bought it but I have replaced the nuts with tinnerman anchor nuts and now have pretty good access to the back. |
Author: | Bill Williams [ Fri Jun 08, 2018 10:05 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: N12055 SN79 Coming Back |
Caution to builders. JT designed the Thorp using several structural boxes to make the aircraft light but very strong. Cutting holes in the fuselage/wing could defeat these structural boxes, I would use caution when cutting access panels. |
Author: | Jeff J [ Fri Jun 08, 2018 12:48 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: N12055 SN79 Coming Back |
The hole in mine was part of the Javelin engine installation. The radiator used to live in there. The center stringer is still there and uncut so it is actually 2 holes covered by one surface mount panel. What I have done to make the hole user freindly is actually stronger than the radiator mount I removed. I didn’t intend to change any of it but once I tried to remove the panel I was committed. I wouldn’t have tried except the easy to see and access screws all had nut plates. I would like to flush mount 2 panels or reskin the bottom but projects that involved have to wait. |
Author: | jtwigg [ Sun Jul 22, 2018 9:02 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: N12055 SN79 Coming Back |
Hi All, My business has doubled in the past two months with the acquisition of a new, large customer. I've still made time to work on the Thorp twice a week though, and I just haven't gotten around to get on the forum. It's hard to believe it's almost been two months since I was last on... First, Ed - thank you for the excellent history about N12055. I really appreciate it! Some of it I knew about, and some is new. I like the info about the 5 T-18's being built simultaneously. I wasn't sure if Ed Burke ever flew it to OSH, so now I know. His son, Doug told me that he himself (Doug) flew it to OSH twice. Bill - thanks for the cautionary access panel note. My access panel has been in the aircraft at least since Ed Burke owned it, maybe earlier. It's been a god-send to me for working behind the panel on the wiring. My IA has used it already to review wiring, brakes, etc. and I'll ask him during the final inspection after Oshkosh to take a good look at it structurally. He's had no problems with it so far. I'm looking forward to seeing many of you at the OSH forum on Thursday! John |
Author: | jtwigg [ Sun Jul 22, 2018 9:28 pm ] | ||||
Post subject: | Re: N12055 SN79 Coming Back | ||||
My wife, Maddie, came out to lend a hand last weekend for my birthday. SH*T's getting serious now!
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Author: | jtwigg [ Tue Aug 28, 2018 4:52 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: N12055 SN79 Coming Back |
Making good progress! * Tailcone is cleaned up, rewired, and completed * All the electrical re-wiring is done * New trim position indicator is in and tested * Cockpit is cleaned up * Instrument panel is completed * New center console is completed and painted To Do's: * finish installing all engine control cables (this Saturday) * Start the engine and test-run it (starting this Saturday) * rebuild the brake master cylinders * replace all the original brake lines * Taxi testing * IA inspection * Transition training (see you soon, Cubes!) |
Author: | James Grahn [ Tue Aug 28, 2018 5:09 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: N12055 SN79 Coming Back |
Awesome! Keep at it.. A few words of advice. If the engine is new (I don't remember) or recently topped, do not run it on the ground any longer than necessary. Break in requires high power until the rings seat. I can talk you through that process if you like. Also, make sure you do the brakes before you run it up. I highly recommend you tie the tail down as well. Most of us cannot run at high power on the ground with brakes only. When I do this, I hook a tow chain around the tailspring, then park the front wheel of my diesel F250 on that chain as close to the tail feathers as I can get. Be safe! See you soon. Cubes |
Author: | jtwigg [ Wed Aug 29, 2018 10:40 pm ] | ||
Post subject: | Re: N12055 SN79 Coming Back | ||
Here's a picture of where I added a Ray Allen trim position sensor in the tail and mounted a corresponding arm to the trim axle. There is about 1" clearance between the sensor and the top of the horizontal stabilator spar. The rod between the sensor and the arm (with the two black ink dots) is yet to be installed.
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Author: | Ryan Allen [ Thu Aug 30, 2018 6:13 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: N12055 SN79 Coming Back |
Thanks for that photo John. I'm going to give your setup a try while I still have my tail area open. Thanks again. |
Author: | jtwigg [ Thu Aug 30, 2018 2:22 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: N12055 SN79 Coming Back |
Hi Ryan, a couple notes on the above picture. 1. I used an Adel clamp to go around the trim axle. However, I found I had to take the rubber off the clamp otherwise the metal would easily slide inside the rubber. After that, I put some electrical tape under the clamp to cushion the axle from getting scratched or worn from the clamp. 2. Note that the top of the arm is too high and that I marked an arc on it where I wanted to cut it down so it didn't hit the underside of the cover. 3. The Ray Allen position sensor that seemed to work best for me had the .75" slide travel. 4. Ray Allen recommends that a threaded model aircraft rod and clevis be used instead of a thicker, aviation-style. The hole in the position sensor is very small. The picture shows the threaded model aircraft clevis that I installed. |
Author: | jtwigg [ Thu Aug 30, 2018 2:32 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: N12055 SN79 Coming Back |
I have a question for the group. I'm getting ready to final assemble the tail. On the two horizontal stabilator hinge bolts, my plane originally had AN365 nylon lock nuts. Since this hinge moves, do most of you use AN310 castle nuts and a cotter pins on this hinge instead? I'm asking in case there is a T-18 - specific reason to use AN365's that I'm not aware of. |
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