I think I have it all straighten out. I have to do some more measuring, but things are looking up. Notice the stringline I used this as the reference line on the plans. The tail is way off also. The transit level really made things easy to see.
I've done all the measuring and I am within 1/32 before welding any tubes. Cage is level front to rear and side to side. I cut a few more tubes that I was not going to cut until installing one of the new ones opposite, but that was the tube that was keeping it not level front to back. I found a nice carbide cutter that goes in my roto zip tool that cleans up the joints really well. I was going to use a 3/4 and 5/8 drill bit but they were 30 and $40.00.
I decided to cut the front horz stabilizer tube on both sides to remove the tail peice of the backbone. I will then use an internal tube inside both tubes to reconnect as well as the original piece on the outside.
I am also going to use the patch as per #57 on the front door post just for safety.
I have the front and back tacked, two of the hardest repair's done. I took a lot more out than I planned on in the front but after I did everything came together.
All the welding is done except for the door mouldings I took off. I just got done welding the hinges back on for the door. Tomorrow I will sandblast and weld them on. Then on to painting the fuselage. Started looking over the wood Could be fun.
Nathan K. Hammond wrote:Dan, I'm impressed with your repair. I would have looked for a new fuselage.
nkh
That's what I said when I first looked at it. Then I just started to work on it. I called the owner so he could see how bad it was in case anything went wrong. I was amazed at how far off it was in all directions. Repairs that others had made that were not even close (and it still flew). I would not repair any piece again I would just replace the whole part. Even without a jig it was not that hard. I used 4 bottle jacks under the four corners of the cockpit. Leveled that up and went from there. I have a transit level so it was easy to take measurements from anywhere. Get everything tacked up then just rotate it around and weld up the joints. I could not have done it without the plans though.
I want to paint any member that is seen on the interior I can figure out the front ones. What ones are visible other than the ones through the back windows?
We are also looking at a solid front window rather than a sliding one. Installing one of those little window scoops maybe two front and back.
This plane was all ripped apart when I got it and I have no other Champ to look at.
Dan,
Paint around all of the lugs on the floor for the seat and in the stick area. Also a few of the gear attach clusters can be seen through the floorboard edges.
Paul
Mailing Adress : Paul Agaliotis 2060 E. San Martin, San Martin,Calif. 95046
Could be fun.