Beautiful day in Texas so while the pool was getting cleaned I decided to start stripping paint from the center windshield support.
I removed the compass supports and got everything stripped, next Alodine and prime!
Of course if I’m lucky enough to install the one piece windshield then this is a wasted effort!
I finished connecting all the backseat heating connections today. I used 2″ aluminum tubing and held by adel clamps. Scat hose used in the bends. Made sure all connections accessible after covering.
Doing a little work on the 3/8” fuel valve and noticed a difference from the 1/2” valve you should know if you try to lap the selector.
I made a new top piece for the windshield and the two side pieces where the air vents go. Coated them with Spar Varnish so they would be waterproof.
I was looking at my center windshield post and was wondering if someone had any idea what these 1/2 timmerman nuts are? How to get them out and how to replace them with new ones. Part number anyone?
On this first day of 2021, I went down to the cold hangar and worked on the Kydex fitting. I focused on the forward kick panels. I also shot this short video to cover the Kydex work to date.
Time to start working on the brakes. I took the temporary tires/tubes off today and started prepping for the new parts.
I used a space heater to heat up the wheels so I could get the old wheel bearing races out and new ones installed. I’m installing new FAA/PMA Timkin races P/N 13889 and bearings P/N
I cleaned, inspected and painted the wheel halves. I need to let them dry before I reassemble.
I now have the opportunity to install the Cleveland brakes that I inspected and cleaned about a year ago.
This is what the gear leg looked like when I started.
Really looking forward to adding all these pretty new parts!
The original firewall blanket was old, greasy and didn’t even cover the full firewall.
I did a lot of research on various material to cover the firewall to protect against, heat, flame and sound.
I really liked a material from Aircraft Spruce, but of course it was not FAA approved.
I send a few pieces to a DER for testing and get the test report so now it IS approved on my aircraft.
I cleaned the firewall, cut the material and used 3M V77 adhesive spray to attach it.
I have begun building the substructure to support the Kydex in the interior. I’m using 1/16” aluminum angle and flat stock. Those angles and flat stock will be held in place via adel clamps around the fuselage tubes.
In each of those I’m installing #8 nut plates every 4”. This will hold the .040 Kydex in place.
I started dreaming about what the final product would look like, so I used my daughters ability to do digital drawing to play with paint schemes.
As you know I’m coving the aircraft in dark blue oratex fabric, so I started playing with White, Silver and Black as trim colors.
I also found a great site called www.aerographics.com that makes vinyl decals you just stick on the aircraft.
Below is the design I think we are closing in on. Note the Big “S” on the tail for Stinson!
