I'm new here and just started restoring a 7AC. I went in on it with 2 friends, one is an IA, I am an A&P (but am returning to this type of work after about 15 years in the motorcycle business) and the other is almost an A&P and works for the IA.
We have been making some pretty good progress and should be flying it by March or April. We have everything we need to get it done, so that helps.
The aircraft came with a zero time 65 HP engine, converted to a 75, a new prop, new upholstery for the seats, and just about every airframe fastener new in the packages. We got a good deal on the whole mess too.
Here are few few pictures of the day we got it to my hanger:
will put up a few pictures of our progress soon. So far we have completely sanded and filled the fuselage, recovered the control surfaces (previous owner pulled the fabric off due to some hail) and today I am going to start into the wings, or maybe the panel. We are thinking of maybe a dark red paint scheme with black scallop trim, or maybe white with red scallop trim. I also may do the top hinged door mod to allow us to fly with it open, and start the engine from behind the prop (let me know if this is practical)
I know some one will ask, so, Yes, the spars are good. They were replaced back in the late 1990's when it was recovered, and we are also adding the inspection holes. The fabric is all in excellent shape. The guy we got it from stopped flying it due to having a kid, and then it got a very small amount of hail damage. He took it apart and took it home. Like so many old airplanes, it just sat and didn't get worked on. He spent some serious money one stuff for it (like the engine and bolts)
but just didn't put the time in to get it done.
I look forward to sharing my progress with you guys.
David
