L-16A 7BCM-73 USAF 47-859

[David Johnson]

Boy my Wife sure is happy. Got to tell her a few days before Middletown we have a new project. You should have seen the look in her eyes. Priceless. My Airplane Daddy(Lloyd Thompson) asked me to post all his stuff for sale at Middletown. His last L-16 project was one of the items. I simply could not let it get away. He bought it back in the 80's and flew it home. His son Nickey(now deceased) started the airplane years ago. It was passed from Ruth Ann(Nickey's Widow) to their son Joey, then back to Lloyd. It still has the original engine. Looking at the fuselage, I wonder if this is one of the barrier landing damaged airframes. For sure the gear has been whacked at some point. Look at the reinforcements where the instrument panel tube meets the door/windshield tubes on the side. Looks like some rewelding going up the windshield post/brace tube to me. I want to do a lot of research on how these were delivered out the factory door. Of course there are things I want that won't be original too. Probably will build up another C-85-8 and keep the original engine safe and with the airframe. I have ordered the FAA records CD and records from Maxwell AFB too. David J./Jasper Ga.

[MikeB]

Alright David!! Glad to see another L16 on the restoration path! Post lots of pictures of your progress. I wouldn't worry much about the repairs if they look proper and well done. That's fairly common on these old timers that have been ' beat around some'. By the way, how do you post pictures? I have several on my Chief project....about ready to shoot the color paint . Now if we could only get 'Tater' to get moving and post pictures. Keep us informed how things are moving along. I see your L16 serial number is 47-859...mine is 47-1180.

Mike B

[David Johnson]

Mike, Tater is a work in progress. He won't stay still long enough to get work done. In fairness, we don't realize how good we have it being able to eat supper and go to the workshop. In a month, he is all over the country. But he is living the dream! As to the repairs, the only problem is they drive me nuts. Got to get a repair plan going and check everything over real good. Going to get my pecking hammer out and check all the problem areas. See if all the bolt holes are still tight. Really want to keep as much as possible original. I know how to post photos from photobucket.com. But there are several good photo websites. Can't post photos directly to this forum, so we have to link from another site. When you get them uploaded to the photo site, look for a link you can copy into the forum message. Use the "Img" button and copy the link in between the (img)(/img) in the preview pane. I always preview and mess with it till it all works OK. If you can't get it to work, call me during the day (706-692-2088) and we will get on the phone and help you. Be sure and tell Stef you is airplane people. We get a lot of junk calls. She thinks airplane folks are strange. I think she is correct! David J./Jasper Ga.

[MikeB]

Thanks David for the info and update on Nathan. Work does get in the way of the fun stuff . I've been mostly retired for several years although once folks find out you're 'retired' you get hit up for volunteer jobs. I just got asked to drive vets to the veterans hospital. How do you say no to that?? Well, anyway I have Photo Bucket account I'll have to see about posting new photos at some time. At my age I'd rather look at airplane restoration pictures than Playboy magazines. Keep 'em coming.......
Mike

[james gevay]

Mike, I usually remember to downsize the photo somewhat before I load it to Photobucket. Once it's there, follow these directions,

When you want to post a pic from Photobucket, just look to the right of the pic and you'll see a large box that says "Links to share this photo".
Left click on the line to the right of IMG, when you do, it will turn yellow and say "copied".
Now write your message and put the cursor anywhere you want the picture to be in the story and then right click and then left click on paste and the pic will be there and you can then see it in "preview" before you post it if you like.
You can do as many pics as you like that way.

Always remember, if you move the original photo in Photobuckets files or delete it, it will disappear where you posted it here.

[Paul Agaliotis]

David,
If those repairs look solid I would try to keep them. It looks like a lot of work to replace those tubes that you show in the photos.

It's like that big mole on Jennifer Anistons a$$. Once the clothes go on nobody needs to know what's under them.

Paul

[David Johnson]

Now you just getting me excited! Some of the repairs look excellent, some don't. Good to see you at Middletown. I had a ball in the resto shops. We will have to do it again! David J./Jasper, GA

[kyleb]

Sicknesses like this take years (and sometimes several wives) to cure.

[David Johnson]

No kidding. How is your treatment coming?

[kyleb]

No kidding. How is your treatment coming?

Business as usual. The three year old is doing well. The wife too. Most everything else, I'm barely holding my head above water.

Does Lloyd still have anything for sale?

[David Johnson]

He still has a 7AC/7CCM project with an O-200. And a 7AC project with a C85-8 no wings. His cell: 770-894-3184. Done anything on the Champ lately?

[chip reahard]

David,
Do you have a contact number for Mr. Thompson? I have a 7AC project that needs some parts and I would like to visit him in Jasper to see if he might have any of the items I need. The only number I have is reported as out of service. I live south of Atlanta and could make the drive to Jasper fairly easily, but need to be able to make an appointment. Thanks very much for your help.
Chip Reahard

[David Johnson]

Chip, his cell is: 770-894-3184. Give him a yell. David

[kyleb]

He still has a 7AC/7CCM project with an O-200. And a 7AC project with a C85-8 no wings. His cell: 770-894-3184. Done anything on the Champ lately?

Does thinkin' about it count for much? I keep promising myself that I'll finish the right wing before Oshkosh, but here I sit in the recliner, typing on the computer. And I can't understand why I'm not making more progress.

[David Johnson]

Amen Kyle!