7AC Restoration

[Kif]

Charles,

Yes. Leave it long enough so I can replace the whole assembly. Thanks alot.

[seaheli]

Keith,

Your parts were mailed this afternoon (thanks to the spouse), I have got behind. Thank you for your patience.

Charles

[Kif]

Charles,

Thanks alot for taking the time to make them. It is really going to help with the airplane.

[Kif]

Put the bulkheads, window frames, floor boards and some stringers on just to check fit and to look like I am really making progress.

Some of the parts that have been cleaned up.

The two aileron sector covers still had the original flocking on them but they had been painted over with black at one time.

[Kif]

Put some flocking on the aileron sector covers Saturday. I think they turned out really nice.

Took apart the right wing. It already had the tip off and part of the leading edge and I needed some room in the garage (which I cleaned up today after taking the wing apart). I'm leaving the left one together as a pattern till I get this one back together.

[Kif]

Took the old step off today. Also cleaned the areas where the door channel gets tack welded.

[Kif]

Got the new step and bowden clamp install yesterday that I got from Charles. His work is excellent. Also got the door frame tacked on and then epoxied painted today.



This shows the new step and clamp.

[joea]

Nice work! Now get a headliner and some fabric on it!

[Kif]

Thanks alot Joe. I have the headliner and baggage compartment ordered from AirTex. I still want to put linseed oil in the tubes before I start putting on the wood. That way I can turn the fuselage a few times after the oil is in.

[Kalahnikid]

Looks incredible! Im just so happy to see its getting some love and not the neglect it suffered for 20+ years.

(BTW: Im still interested in your engine but have hit a few snags in my project that has delayed me from even thinking about it.)

[Kif]

Thanks Ryan. I got linseed oil in the tubes yesterday. Got the bulkheads on and started fitting the stringers today. I'll post some pics tomorrow. If you want, you can have the engine anytime and we'll can deal with the details later. It's just sitting on a stand anyway. Let me know that way I can at least get the exhaust off. I'll be gone all next week at Flight Safety in Tuscon, AZ so I can take it off when I get back. I don't remember if I told you but I think I may need the mags also. I have some on the 65 I got (I think their old Bendix, plug leads attach on top) but they don't have an impulse. Either way we'll work it out.

[joea]

Keith,

What are you doing recurrent in? Have been going there since 1984, doing Lear and Challenger training.

Tell Randy hello for me!

Joe

[Kif]

Joe,

It is a Challenger 604 Troubleshooting course. We go to some kind of maintenance training once a year and I would much rather go to Tuscon than Montreal.

[joea]

Keith,

You are sure right there. Friend of mine was just in Montreal on a 605 pilot recurrent course and they have changed it so much that he almost did not pass. This was a simple recurrent and he has over 10 years flying Challengers. Idiots... but Flight Safety sure loves it when the factory training center does this!

Joe

[Kif]

Here's some pics of the bulkheads and stringers. Put the bulkheads on with eyelets from Univair.


Bottom two stringers are cut to fit and just on til I varnish them.