New Project... sorry guys

[Scott]

Hi all
I was contacted in September by a friend of one of the previous owners of my BC12D. He wanted me to by his airplane after seeing photos of CF-CLR.

Long storey short... I'm into another restoration:

[PA1195]

PA-18-95? Hard to see the front V-brace.

Gary

[Scott]

you got it. 1960, very original. PeeKay 1800s and federal 1500s, a little over 2700 TT. It was damaged while tied to a dock but so far only non-structural issues. Was in storage for over a decade.

I don't have a great deal of experience with Super Cubs and it's interesting to see the design/production differences between Piper and Taylorcraft. Surely Piper must have been a more labour intensive airframe to produce. I'll be happy if I never see another turtle deck arch!

[PA1195]

With PK1800's it'll float like a cork. Different plane than a Taylorcraft in their construction and flight. Both have their plus and minus points. You are fortunate Scott as the support and parts are unlimited.

https://www.univair.com/content/part...ile/index.html

https://www.univair.com/piper-pa-18-and-pa-19-index/

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/11...ft.html#manual

http://www.supercubproject.com/drawings/default.aspx

http://www.supercubproject.com/links.aspx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVT5...ature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1wH...ature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tfi...ature=youtu.be

Gary

[Scott]

Thanks Gary, appreciate the links.
yes parts availability is quite different to the Taylorcraft as are the parts catalog, manuals and drawings. Of course it's 14 years "newer" and Piper remained solvent for longer!

[PA1195]

Your welcome Scott. The L-21 maintenance manual and supercubproject.com prints plus its links to manuals are the core for maintenance of the type. I've owned 2 PA-18's, a PA-12-180, and PA-11. My heart is with Piper but the Taylorcraft has its moments on floats. Best of luck with your project. That model can be converted to the others in TCDS 1A2 but best to keep it light - simple if fun flying is the goal.

Gary

[Scott]

One of the reasons the previous owner sought me out was his desire to keep the aircraft original. So while i have no explicit obligation, I intend to keep him happy!

My intention is the same as it was for my Taylorcraft which is to remain within the spirit of original ie taking advantage of newer materials and processes, especially where safety and durability are concerned, but remaining true to the original configuration.

The engine is less than half time so assuming it's free of corrosion, I'll do a top overhaul to in-service limits.

This philosophy will also fit much better into the budget!

[PA1195]

The aircraft value is best maintained when kept original. Some will relocate the seat belt anchors to a better spot (Atlee Dodge has an STC) and reinforce the tail for improved structure in a known weak area. Unless the aircraft is expected to be worked for a living there's not much else that adds value. Some will install an additional tube (X-bracing) to the skylight. In an accident if a wing tip swings the single support tube can become compressed and drop hitting the pilot's head and restraining them in the cockpit.

Gary

[Hank Jarrett]

Do you have the date of original manufacture? That would help a lot to determine the original configuration. I agree completely with your goals. Original as possible with regulated and safety upgrades. As for making her more fun to fly the best thing you can add is less weight!

Hank

[PA1195]

Shoulder harness assembly and location is always a choice for front and rear occupants. They are essential to reduce head injury and prevent the rear passenger from unintentionally propelling the front occupant's seat forward, especially if a folding front seat is installed. That's another reason to relocate the front seat belts to the floor structure. It locks the pilot into place better and reduces the chance for submarining under a seat belt and breaking both legs on the rudder pedals. All items for safety as Hank notes.

Gary

[astjp2]

No welding = logbook entry only.

[Scott]

Thanks again for the tips . So I'm adding the floor attach seat belts and shoulder harness attachments, plus the additional top cross tube from the rear to front spar carry throughs. Also did the cross bracing of the turtle deck arch at the handle location.

Had to replace a few of the 3/8" U channel sections under the floor due to corrosion and several arches that were crushed. I welded on tabs for water rudder pulleys. Spent several hours straightening fuselage tubes ( the mild steel seems to bend easily), and managed to straighten all the stringers.

I'm headed into day 4 of media blasting... man, even after chemical stripping the 3-5 layers of paint, blasting is time consuming hard work. Much more difficult than the T which is a far simpler frame. Made the mistake of oiling the tubes and the residual is dripping out in surprising locations!

Oh and I welded in steel bushings at the forward and aft door latch locations.

[PA1195]

A gas welding torch makes short work of some primers and can crawl around tubing clusters. Not enough to anneal the metal but enough to burn it off.

Gary