Update N2241E

[Doc]

Wag-Aero had the door angles...thanks for the heads up! Side windows are in and FWF finished...ready for cowling. Flying horse logo is a redo of the 532nd Squadron, 381st Bomb Group (Heavy), Ridgewell, England (1943-1945). That Group formed up in Jan/1943 at Pyote, TX and joined the 1st Combat Wing in England in Apr/1943. The 381st was identified by the Triangle L tail marking. My Dad was an original pilot with the group. My 1st lessons from him were done in a C195 and various L-Birds. He is long gone, but I think he would have liked seeing his "horse" flying again. Doc

[drjeff]

Looks great Doc....

[joea]

Agreed and cannot wait to see more pics!

[Doc]

Well...just going slow. Summer activities with the kids, and small problems seem to be eating up the time! Also, the B-17 "Texas Raiders" is getting ready for its 28 day tour, and I plan to meet her in Detroit at Thunder Over Detroit, and then follow her back to Houston via Nashville where she is being displayed for my Dad's 381st BG (Triangle L) Association reunion. And...horror of horrors...I am planning to fly the TAYB this morning! Best. Doc

[David Johnson]

Doc, looking good! Where are you going to mount your regulator? Are you using a battery? Do you have any Ward Aero paperwork I could get a copy of? Mine is mostly unreadable. Thanks, David J.

[Doc]

Oh well...as usual, the last 10% consumes 90% of the time! Low and high speed taxi tests went great! The tail comes up early and she begs to fly! My only limiting factor for the sign-off/proof of flight is an inoperative oil temp gauge (dual pressure/temp)...6 weeks to repair and a new one is on a 3 week backorder. After test flights and possible rigging tweaks, the LAST items to install are the battery and refurbished Ward aero generator. This has been a great restoration project for an airplane that spent the last 23 years in the corner of a very lonely South Texas hangar! The horse logo is a modification of my Dad's 532nd Bomb Squadron, 381st Bomb Group (Heavy), 1st Air DIvision, 8th Air Force (1943-1945). He flew a 1942 Boeing design...this 1946 is a wee bit smaller...and 4,735 less "horsepower"! Best wishes. Doc PS: The next project barely seen on the right is a 1977 Taylorcraft F-19 (100 HP)...it never ends.

[flyboy1964]

Very nice looking bird!

[Doc]

Proof of Flight of "Miss Kelly Ann" was on 10/26/2010...stalls power off at 43 mph...flight characteristics very typical of a Champion. 2nd Flight by Mark Julicher. This is a very nice airplane that is a joy to fly! Many thanks to Mark Julicker, IA, Ed Santiago, A&P, Dr. Ivan Haecker (Champ owner), and the many friends and new acquaintenances who dropped by to hangar talk/gawk at 1T8. Paint scheme was Randolph process Tucson Cream base color and Insignia Blue trim. Covering is Ceconite. Powerplant is C65-8F. Tailwheel is a Lang. Insurance by Falcon of Kerrville, TX. Gobs of patience by my wife Kelly! Best wishes! Doc

[joea]

Glad to see it finally up and in the air!

Joe A

[Doc]

Bob Sabia, a retired USMC pilot and EAA Chapter 35 member came by to see the 7AC...the short story is that Mark and I will partner up with him to restore his 1947 7BCM (L-16A). I will start another thread for that project! Doc

[Doc]

Aerogenerator now installed...which added some forward weight that will need ballasting when flying solo. Also, the left wing needed a full turn of wash in. Photo taken at 8T8, San Geronimo Airpark - EAA Chapter 35 field. This is a nice bird!

[Paul Agaliotis]

Doc,
That's a nice looking Champ. I hope you have a lot of fun with it.
What model Transponder did you end up using?
Paul

[MikeB]

Very nice looking Champ, Doc. I often prowl around Geronimo Airpark when in the San Antonio area visiting the "kids". What was the empty weight when you were finished? I've seen some that claim to be under 800# but most run over that.

MikeB

[Doc]

No transponder at the present time...the electrics are for radio, intercom, Garmin 496 GPS and nav lights. The airplane weighed in at 770#. I was concerned about full aft stick (up elevator) authority and found the elevator and trim travels to be slightly off. After readjusting the cables, I will re-weigh the airplane with the battery and aerogenerator on board and report the figures. Doc