Thorp Air Command - T18.net

I'm interested in getting a "study set" of plans. I don't need a license to build, but I would like to get a detailed understanding of the air frame, cable runs, fuel tank assembly, stations for the bulkheads, et al. Is there someone in central Florida who can let me look at a set over the next few weeks?

(Joe and Chris - I expect you are on this forum; I don't want to inconvenience you with shipping things down from CT. Let me see if there is a set here that I can study.)

Regards, PK

I would also like to look at a study set of plans, even better would be a basic construction manual to purchase. I hadn't been able to find any builders sites on the web. This is such a great aircraft with such a wonderful history one would think that more information would be available. It is overwhelming trying to comb thru 140 newsletters.

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James G.

I think the basic construction manual is a series of articles from EAA magazine in the 60’s. There is also a book titled Building The Metal Airplane if you can find a copy.

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Thorp T18
O-320-B3B (160 HP)
68x74 Sterba Propeller

"The joke in aviation is, 'If you want to make a million, you'd better start with £10m.' " -Bruce Dickinson

I found and purchased the book Building the Metal Airplane. It has some good information in it but doesn't have many illustrations. It also details the Midget Mustang construction. I hope to research which issues of Sport Aviation apply to building the Thorp and collect them.

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James G.

If you are an EAA member, goto https://www.eaa.org/eaa/news-and-public ... ion-search and search for author "John W Thorp", it will include all of his "Building the T-18 articles and a bunch more.

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Bruce Finney
N18JF T-18C #262
Auburn, WA USA

Thank you Bruce, I will go look.

James

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James G.

When I bought a set of S-18 drawings many years ago I also received a binder with what I would consider a construction manual. I'll try to remember to dig it out to refresh my memory as to content. And no, it's not just a collection of articles.

Dana

"Building the Metal Airplane" is nothing more than a reprint of the Sport Aviation articles with (as noted) some additional write-ups from SA on other metal designs. The original 44 newsletters were re-branded by Lou Sunderland and sold as a build guide of sorts. That one was called "Building, Testing and Flying the All-Metal Airplane". In the end these two sources are the best place to start. However, it's up to each individual to determine where they want to start. My opinion ... Ailerons are a good place to start ... save the flaps for last.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

I had no idea there was such a book by Lu Sunderland. If anyone has one they would part with, please let me know. If its not copyrighted, I would just make a copy of your book and send yours back to you.

Since the Sunderland book is just the first 44 news letters they could easily be downloaded, copied into something like Word and the extra edited out.

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Thorp T18
O-320-B3B (160 HP)
68x74 Sterba Propeller

"The joke in aviation is, 'If you want to make a million, you'd better start with £10m.' " -Bruce Dickinson

A build manual would be fantastic especially for the first time builder like myself. If you find it I would love to know it's contents. I wonder if the S-18 plans come with any guidance? I was also wondering if they are current? Can you just build exactly to the plans and have a safe aircraft? I like the Bearhawk manuals, they come in three files, fuselage, wings and finishing manual. Each are over 200 pages with photos. All three for $100. The guy built an airplane and documented every step with photos. Something like that would be amazing for the Thorp.

James

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James G.

I have about 75% of a manual done. No it is not included with the plans. Yes the plans are current.
Cubes

I think that is great, I think it will convince many people to commit to the Thorp and help it grow and survive. It is such an historic and beautiful design. Ahead of its time.

James

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James G.