7AC Restoration

[Kif]

Interior painted.



Getting the windows and stringers installed

Installing the control assembly

Lower stringers installed

[Kif]

Cabin top and stringers. Top two stringers just on for fitting.

You can see the brass nails used to hold the stringers to the bulkheads.



Fitting floor and interior panels.


This shows the aft left panel not completely cleaned yet.

Small piece of wood mounted on aft floor panel that was on original floor board.

Original floor boards. You can see where the small piece of wood was on the aft top edge of the aft floor board. Still have to do some tweaking on the forward floor boards before painting. I just got a couple of thin coats on the aft floor board. I'll put a finish coat on before installing permanently.

Trim control cleaned and painted.



Control assembly.

Firewall with original insulation and fabric.

Anyone know where I can get some fabric like the original fire wall cover. It is green with brown webbing on the outside edge.

[Kif]

Was going through some pictures of when I started and thought I would post them. Haven't got alot done lately but I have the week off between Christmas and New Years so I'll have some time then.

[Aerco]

Looking at all that rust, I'm so glad my L3 spent all its life in New Mexico, Texas and southern California! There is a little here and there, sure, but it's nothing compared to what you had to clean up there. Looks beautiful now.

[Kif]

Thanks Peter. I think the neatest thing about this airplane is that it has been in central Illinois since it was made and for sitting as long as it did it is still in great shape. I think that alone says alot for the airplane and the way things were made and done back then. It seems like anymore some things ain't worth a crap and/or don't last long. That's one of the main reasons why I want to restore it to as original as I can. I am really enjoying the restoration as much as I will flying it. I am shooting for the next Aeronca Convention in Middletown in 2012.

[Matt]

Keith

Impressive work. That is going to be one fine Champ! Thanks for the great pictures. I can see and literally feel your motivation to do a thorough and nice job for your girls and for yourself. Keep it up!

Did a bit more searching in regard to your airspeed restoration question. Found this page, nota bene initiated by H.G. Frautschy, and found that I might not have pointed you to the best address....
http://www.oshkosh365.org/ok365_Discuss ... picid=3554

Here are the links to the two companies that did receive good marks in that thread.
http://www.legacyinstruments.com
http://www.precisiondial.com

A shame that Kansas Instrument Sales and Service has gone out of business.
Let us know, once your airspeed is overhauled/restored and how it turned out, ok?

Matt

[skyking3286]

For the firewall pad, I'd try a canvas shop, one that deals with tents and awings. They should be able to help. It's a fiberglass batting underneath that. I'd guess they could do a pretty fair approximation of the original color. Maybe Bing/Goggle "canvas"?

[CptKelly]

Aircraft Spruce sells a firewall pad material. Its sold oversize, and you cut it to fit.

Mike

[Kif]

Thanks for all the replies. Sorry it's been awhile since the last post but I have been busy with alot other things lately. Haven't got a whole lot done on the Champ except spending money on parts. Sent one of the gear to David Rude for rebuild. When I get this one back I'll send him the other.

[Nathan K. Hammond]

Looking good Keith.

nkh

[Kif]

Thanks Nate. I really like your paint shaker/sonic cleaner.

[Oliver]

If it is not too late to step in the instrument overhaul discussion:

I have a very, very dissapointing experience with KEYSTONE and ended up, after paying a lot of money, with new (ugly) instruments. You can find similiar comments at the oskosh link given and I can confirm that.

I must admit that after I complained they were trying to help but due to the distance (Germany) and the costs involved I gave up on it.

[joea]

Oliver,

Sorry to hear that. I have never used them but the one time I tried to get ahold of them for some instrument work they never replied to my emails.

Wish there was a better option or that their customer service was better.

Tchuss!

Joe A

[Kif]

Finally back working on the Champ some. Picked up some parts a while back.
Cast valve covers.


Fuel tank.

The fuel tank gauge has a phenolic hold down nut. Is this original? Has anyone seen one of these before? The tank that came with the plane had an aluminum one but it got tore up taking it off because it was so tight.

[Champ Dreamer]

Mine had a phenolic nut, but it came apart when I removed it. I found "Mike's A-Fordable Parts". He's a model A specialist, interesting guy, a Brit in nthe deep south (Georgia I think). Got a new fuel gauge assembly for very little money. Had to shorten the wire on the sending unit to make it work. I still haven't fuel tested it (for leaks) but will do so soon. Oh, buy the tools too.

Brian Walker
N1197E '46 7AC