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

[MikeB]

Just finished shooting the first coat of Superflite on my Chief fuselage. Now my shoulder is sore (rotator cuff) from holding the paint gun and I could use some recliner time before sanding for the second coat. Once I get the fuselage paint completed I can start putting all the dash, interior and other parts together that are scattered around the shop before I lose them.
Mike

[David Johnson]

Go Mike Go!!!

[Dennis]

Darn, where did I put that! It's got to be around here somewhere. Three hours later, you find it laying on top of the work bench in plain site. MikeB that is why we retire.....we need more time to find our stuff.

Dennis

[Richard Murray]

Way to go Mike! Which Superflite system are you using?

[MikeB]

Well first of all, I didn't mean to 'horn in' on Dave's L16 restoration link which is probably more interesting in my Chief project but I guess that's what happens with discussion groups at times.

I'm using the 'new process' Superflite 7 which is supposed to be better suited for cold weather which we certainly have up here in the upper Midwest. The paint itself is the same as SF 6 which basically has the flex agent already in the paint so it's just a matter of three parts paint/one part catalyst and 'thin to your preference' (what does that mean?? ). The difference is in the primer/blocker which is much more flexible than the older versions. I have one 'cross coat' of finish color on now and will sand with 600 and put the last cross coat on shortly. I had strongly thought about using some other process on the project but I was already familiar with the SF process and decided to try their new "7" series. When using any poly-urethane process you have to protect yourself so I use a full body paint suit, full face mask and a 'Hobby Air' pump which takes fresh air from outside my shop. You kind of look like a space man but it's necessary and when it comes right down to it I'm not sure some of the other processes get enough protection with just a mask either. The worst thing is you have to drag two air hoses around when one can cause enough trouble getting dragged around.

Mike

[David Johnson]

Mike, as long as we are all having fun, we are doing it right! You ever get posting photos figured out?

[MikeB]

Dave,
Haven't had time to work on posting pictures (too busy prep and paint) but I'll get at it one of these days. I'm kind of computer stupid and I still hate Windows 8 .

Mike

[David Johnson]

OK you old guys. Looking into the interior color for L-16's again. Lloyd Thompson is going thru his stuff looking for interior pieces with some original color on them. While doing research we found this letter from John Houser in 1991 discussing "Roxalin #13894 Flexible". Can't find anything on the internet and hoping someone has an old crossreference or something. Ideas? Thanks, David J.

[David Johnson]

Christmas came early. While I don't intend to ever run the plane with fuel injection. I now have all the stuff to make it original if it ever goes to a museum somewhere. We have hoped the Air Force Museum would get a L-16 at some point. Might have to fix that sometime.

[MikeB]

Thanks Dave. I've never seen the FI system before but I talked to one of members of the CAP that owned by L16 back in the 50's early 60's and he said the system worked fine. I know they didn't have a muffler system with FI as they didn't need carb heat. I have the original stainless steel "Y" pipes that came with my project but the C85 engine disappeared sometime before I bought the project. I installed a 0200 with Cessna mufflers which makes 'not original' but I couldn't fine a C85 for sale at the time.
MikeB

[Paul Agaliotis]

Dave,
I think I have some of the FI elbows and nozzles if you need them.
BTW, How is Lloyd doing? Such a great guy.
Paul

[David Johnson]

Paul, Thank you for the offer. I think I have everything to make it complete. I got it all from Lloyd. He is a pack rat from way back. He is doing pretty good for a nearly 79 year old. Playing with A model Fords since he backed off flying. He has 2 of them now. One a show car, the other a daily driver. Biggest problem he has is some of the friends he picked up along the way! I plan to drag him to Middletown next time. One way or the other. Hope you guys out west are well and having fun! David J.

[Paul Agaliotis]

Dave,
Thanks for the update.

I have run across a paint product before called Roxatone. It was an acrylic latex paint out of Canada in the early 1950's.

Carl found some original brown paint for the Champ and the formula Bill used is dead nuts.
Paul

[David Johnson]

Paul, what I am trying to backstop & verify is the L-16 interior color we have been using. Looking thru Lloyd's stuff now to try and find an original chip to check by and keep. I wonder if the number John Houser listed means anything in Roxatone? You got any ideas or an original chip? I have access to a paint analyzer. Just need about a 2.5 inch square piece to check. Any ideas? Thanks, David J.

[MikeB]

Does anyone know what the 'problems' were with the fuel injection system used on the L16's? Seems like every one I've been able to research had the FI pulled off and a carburetor installed for some reason. At first glance it seems like a fairly simple system. I know they ran a return line with a standpipe back to the nose tank as I used that fitting for the wing tank fill line to the main tank on my L16A. The L16 manual shows the fuel flow schematic.
Mike