fuselage for defender

defender40 · Post by **defender40** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 11:50

I bought a basket case 1940 defender project this summer('07) and it has been suggested to me to make a jig and build a new frame, or see if anyone has a less rusty frame than I have.

I have pretty much a complete plane, with 65 continental(250 hrs) and everything except frame was kept inside since early 80's, with frame having a blue tarp covering it and kept outside.

Are there any difference between the defender and the L3 as far as the frame? The landing gear was taken off of my defender when it rolled into a ditch, and the previous owner got some L/3 gear to replace it with.

I believe the L/3 is flown from the front seat, unlike the deferder. Does the installation of a greenhouse change weight and balance instead of just using the usual rear windows?

I would like to find plans for building a new fuselage, or rebuilding old one. The struts are in good shape, but are missing all but one of the little extensions that come out of them. Can I still buy these, and what are they called?

Need a new rear "sling" seat.

Thanks stephen

Paul Agaliotis · Post by **Paul Agaliotis** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 23:57

Stephen,

The 1940 L3 will share all of the Tandem ( T series) components. The later TA series changed the axles and wing struts due to the wider fuselage. Both of these items can be confused and results in a costly mistake.

The military models solo from the front while the Tandems were rear seat solo. The Army also used wood wing ribs and the Tandems had aluminum pin riveted ribs.

The rear strut uses a thick wall tube for adjusting the wash of the wing. It is threaded on the top end to secure to the wing fitting. You will have a hard time finding one. I would consider making it.

Building a fuselage is not for the faint of heart. It is a HUGE project, requiring a large block of time and money.

Look those struts over real good. I had a friend of mine take his last ride in a Breezy with some rotten L3 struts.

Keep us posted on your progress and welcome to the NAA.

Paul

defender40 · Post by **defender40** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 22:58

Thanks for the info. Is the TA not a Tandem, (and that is why the fuselage is wider)? What years were the T models made, and when did the TA's come out. I will have to find out what year the L/3 landing gear was. It sounds like from what you said, the military gear may not fit. I believe the wings have only wooden components. - stephen

Paul Agaliotis · Post by **Paul Agaliotis** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 23:47

I,m taking a shot in the dark here, but I believe the T series started about 1939 and went to about 1941. The TA was just a improved model of the T series. They were built from about 1941 until early 1942. The Japanese flooded the market in late 1941 with some of their import models which halted production of the TA series.
The TA has the wider fuselage with the mentioned changes also the rudder has a counter-balance area and the ailerons are pushrod operated.
Paul

skent · Post by **skent** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 23:29

I had posted earlier that I needed another fuselage for my 1940 Defender project... I have the opportunity to purchase what is believed to be a 1940 L/3 without engine, wings, struts, but several things I may need, which is primarily the fuselage.

I have wings, engine, prop, all paperwork, but need some advice on if there really was an L/3 in 1940, and would the fuselage not have been widened until later. I believe the only difference besides the beefier landing gear, is the army dress-up.

The REAL question I have is: If these fuselages turn out to measure up identically, how is it that the L/3's were flown from the front, and the defenders from the back seat? I have wanted to dress up this project as an L/3 anyway, and would like to make this work.

What should I check out to see if this '40 fuselage is a defender or really an L/3....

Thanks for any info ---- stephen kent (defender40)

Paul Agaliotis · Post by **Paul Agaliotis** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 08:09

Stephan,
All of the 1940 models that I have seen, and its not alot, had a specific throttle arangement. In the front pit the throttle is connected to a bellcrank assembly. This allows the cable to attach from the bottom and operate up and down.
The pilots are so close to the CG that the solo location is not a problem. My guess is that to egress with a chute was the change for the military models. I've flown mine solo from both seats and find little differance.
Build it to suit your tastes. If you like the military models build it that way. The important thing is you are giving back a small piece of aviation history. Good luck with your journey and please ask for any information you may need.
P.S. You might sneek a peek at the Cuban paint jobs. They operated a few of these aircraft.
Paul

Paul Agaliotis · Post by **Paul Agaliotis** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 08:12

Stephan,
All of the 1940 models that I have seen, and its not alot, had a specific throttle arangement. In the front pit the throttle is connected to a bellcrank assembly. This allows the cable to attach from the bottom and operate up and down.
The pilots are so close to the CG that the solo location is not a problem. My guess is that to egress with a chute was the change for the military models. I've flown mine solo from both seats and find little differance.
Build it to suit your tastes. If you like the military models build it that way. The important thing is you are giving back a small piece of aviation history. Good luck with your journey and please ask for any information you may need.
P.S. You might sneek a peek at the Cuban paint jobs. They operated a few of these aircraft.
Paul

skent · Post by **skent** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 19:38

Hi again Paul... I had opened up two accounts for this web site as I had forgotten the password so now am going under Skent and sent you (hopefully you got it) a message about no title or paperwork of any kind with the donor fuselage. If I hear of any i'll let you know! Thanks very much for the info on cg not seeming to be overly critical in defender/L3 configurations. That does make me feel better, and I'll do a lot of fast taxi tests before taking off to high! It is exciting to be working on something so historical and really quite awesome, as all aircraft are.!!! - Stephen aka Skent aka Defender40

Post by **joea** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 23:11

Stephen,

Next time pls contact your friendly Admin or Moderator (myself or Brian) and we can work things out for getting your account working again. Its very easy to reset the password.

If you want to revert back to the Defender user name pls let us know.

Joe

skent · Post by **skent** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 20:59

thanks - can i get the "defender40" back in use by getting a new password? thanks!

Post by **joea** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 01:43

Stephen,

Your password for the old account has been reset and emailed to you.

Joe

BILL SEE · Post by **BILL SEE** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:09

Stephen,
I have a 7AC, 1941 TC and 1943 L3! There are two Buzz Wagner books..Book#5 that tells about the T and TA(bulletins,letters and rigging); and Book #8 that tells about parts interchangeability for pre-war Aeroncas. That might be helpful. You might contact "Brian Matz" and see where the drawing copy project is at so that you can get some fuselage drawings to aide in your rebuild. BILL

National Aeronca Association Bulletin Board

fuselage for defender

fuselage for defender

defender vs. L/3 fuselage

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