My Aeronca Champ blog

[tmmiller]

I don't know what is wrong with the link to my blog. If you are not able to directly link to the blog, try typing in www.aeroncachamp.blogspot.com and see if opens.

There are some interesting things that I found upon opening up the first wing. It says a lot for restoring one yourself (yes I know you will probably spend more) as opposed to buying someone else's work. Missing cotter pins, no rib lacing tape, bondo spars, etc. Look at the blog. You will be surprised.

Someone please contact me if they have 3 or 4 good used aileron bay ribs. Matt

[Nathan K. Hammond]

Hey Matt,

The link's (both on your profile and the one you included) are hot and loaded the page right up.

So had it been flying with the missing hardware? Any other signs of mis-use... cracks?

That was a snazzy paint job, you're going back with the same right?

nkh

[David Johnson]

Matt, if I read your blog correctly, you are at "Williamson"??? That's not close to Nathan Hammond is it? I am starting to get a little worried about you(smiles). Seriously, some of the stuff you find on an old rebuild(restoration is sometimes too strong a word) will scare you straight! Good Luck with your Champ! David J.

[james gevay]

Matt, thanks for the link to your blog, it works great.
I found some of the same kind of things in my Champ. Being an inexpensive plane back then, they were fixed inexpensively. It's really disappointing to see the lack of good workmanship when you open the wings.
Good to have you back, Jim

[Captgrumps]

Rib lacing tape is only used to hold the ribs in alignment while installing and securing the wing cover. Other than that they usually get eaten up by mice later on.
Without it it was pretty close to original. Eight coats of nitrate dope by Aeronca or less using their "hot" method. Numbers stenciled on with enamel.

Doug