Glad to see things are taking shape. Maybe Santa and his elves could lend a hand after the Holidays to help speed things along. Thanks for sharing your update .
Well, it has been forever since I posted pictures. Not that I have not taken any.
Let's give a quick run-down on what has been happening out in Marengo in 2011:
First, we have been concentrating on the stabilizers since last summer.
We rebuilt the spars for the right horizontal stabilizer, and created forms for the
leading and trailing edge ribs. Last year, we pressed out a few, and replaced the
badly crunched and corroded ribs in the right horizontal. In it's skinless form, we took
it to Thunder Over Michigan, where many of you saw it. Late last year, it was skinned
and being riveted. Then we started on the left horizontal stabilizer. It was not in
any-where near as bad a condition of the right, and its rebuild went quickly. It is currently
back together, and almost completely skinned, awaiting some final riveting.
Here is a picture of the left horizontal stabilizer being re-skinned:
You may recall that we stretch formed the leading edge of the stabilizer tip. Well, here it is on the tip:
Next was the vertical stabilizer. The front rib, which is about 72" tall, is badly damaged, and
we are in the process of making/getting a replacement part. Again, the spar caps were
damaged, and required replacement. This was accomplished quickly, and after dis-assembly,
bead blasting, and priming, it went together fairly quickly. It is currently being skinned and
riveted. We have visions of the insignia yellow "12595" adorning the new skin.
The vertical stabilizer with ribs and hat sections being replaced:
Mike standing next to the vertical stabilizer (In May 2011):
We have also made progress in reassembling the cockpit and BLK #3.
More to come!
