Another Chief Restoration

[nippaero]

Made some more progress on my Chief. Got it all stripped down and dropped the fuselage for bead blasting this morning.

[Richard Murray]

And now the real work begins. :>)
Looking forward to following your progress.

[rkittine]

I was amazed when my Chief was built from ground up, how it was going to look finished starting with the same kind of jumble of tubes! Have fun and look forward to seeing another great Aeronca Chief.

Bob

[nippaero]

Should have the fuselage back this Wednesday. Then I’ll get to work priming and painting.

What type of wood are people using for the stringers nowadays? I just as told by one person Suger Pine?

[nippaero]

Also, been posting a lot of pictures on Facebook.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/2221661874786909

[Paul Agaliotis]

I will use any left over spruce spar cutoffs or fir blanks. I always use the "T" section stringer, it keeps the stringers from squirming around when you shrink the fabric. I also rib stitch the top of the cabin to keep the fabric from ballooning up.
Paul

[Richard Murray]

Great advice Paul. I would never have thought to secure the top of the fuselage using a rib stitch.

[nippaero]

Making some more progress on the Chief. I made a set of rotisserie stands for the fuselage. The fuselage is epoxy primed and painted. New bulkheads and birdcage fitted. I am waiting on the stingers from Aircraft Spruce. They tell me it will be another two weeks... I picked up a nice dorsal fin from Richard and have that installed as well. I am going to start working on the landing gear while I wait for the stingers.

[Paul Agaliotis]

Looks great!! At this rate you will be done in no time.
Paul

[bob turner]

What are you going to do for brakes? I think Robbie Grove would like to figure out a hydraulic retrofit for the Chief, but master cylinder configuration is a puzzle.

[nippaero]

I was planning on rebuilding the original brakes.