Completed restoration

Post-War Aeronca Chief airplanes
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Jonathan
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Completed restoration

Post by Jonathan »

It's taken 2 years full time, over 2500 hours work but we’re nearly there. Quite proud of it really!

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Nathan K. Hammond
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Re: Completed restoration

Post by Nathan K. Hammond »

WOW!!! That looks great!
Love the prop and spinner!
And the colors!

nkh
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Super 85-12F @ DVK
CptKelly
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Re: Completed restoration

Post by CptKelly »

Hey, isn't that a Champ nose bowl? Very pretty. How does the wind driven generator work?

Mike
flyingfool
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Re: Completed restoration

Post by flyingfool »

Wow that is gorgeous!

You deserve to feel proud!

Do you have patterns or drawing for you seat cushions? What foam did you use?
Jonathan
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Re: Completed restoration

Post by Jonathan »

The wind generator charges a battery under the passenger footwell. The panel mounted radio is behind the pilots glove box cover. The cover is completely removable before flight.


The whole interior is from Airtext . They have a new seat pattern.
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joea
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Re: Completed restoration

Post by joea »

Very nice! Excellent looking package!

Where are you located? I should be in Luton or Cheshunt area in a month or so, and would love to meet up if not too far away.

Joe A
Carl Prather
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Re: Completed restoration

Post by Carl Prather »

It's beautiful! What kind of wood propeller is that? It reminds me of mahogany by it's appearance.
Jonathan
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Re: Completed restoration

Post by Jonathan »

On a cold December afternoon we finally go a weather window to test fly the Chief!

Not a very good quality video, as I was shaking with excitement and cold....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G73WQV9DFBs

Big Smiles! :lol:

Jonathan
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David Johnson
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Re: Completed restoration

Post by David Johnson »

Very Nice! Mucho Congrats! Hope you all have lots of fun with it. David J.
Clive
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Re: Completed restoration

Post by Clive »

Really beautiful job.

BTW, to keep my Chief running after starting on a cold day, I normally leave the primer plunger out. Then just I push it in to give it a bit more prime when the engine is about to die.
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Rich Valler
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Re: Completed restoration

Post by Rich Valler »

Jonathan entrusted me with the privilege of making the post-rebuild first flight, and subsequent flight test, and I’m delighted to confirm that ‘RX flies as good as she looks. Rigged perfectly, she flew straight and level hands-off, in fact everything on that flight worked exactly as it should. A very welcome addition to the UK Aeronca fleet.

The racket in the background, preceding the delightful bark of the A75, was from a Pilatus PC12 turboprop doing full-power ground runs. The venue was the delightful grass aerodrome at Goodwood, Lord March’s estate on the south coast of England, where I hangar my Champ. Known as Westhampnett in WW2, it was a satellite field to the fighter station RAF Tangmere, and it was from Westhampnett that the legendary legless fighter ace Douglas Bader departed on his last operational flight, that culminated in his incarceration in the infamous Colditz p.o.w camp.

Jonathan, many thanks for allowing me to fly ‘RX, I trust you will have a great time getting to know her.

Rich

PS Clive: good point, noted - thank you

PPS Carl: the prop is a 72-44 handmade by a UK craftsman, and yes, I believe it is mahogany.
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