Pre War Airframe

[Pearson]

Does anyone have a pre war airframe that they could take pictures of the forward section of the fuselage?

I am specifically interested in how the tube structure compares to the post war airframes in the area around, and just forward of, where the rudder pedals are.

[mikeg]

Re: Pre War Airframe

Does anyone have a pre war airframe that they could take pictures of the forward section of the fuselage?

I am specifically interested in how the tube structure compares to the post war airframes in the area around, and just forward of, where the rudder pedals are.

My '41 BC12-65 DeLuxe and '40 BC-65 are the same as the '45 and '46 BC12Ds that I restored.
Mikeg

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Pre War Airframe

"B" models are all the same in that area tube wise

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Pre War Airframe

My 45 is "full frontal nude" right now (actually it is fully naked) and is supposed to actually be a pre-war fuselage (there is evidence where they cut off the mount for the flipper trim "wing" on the tail, they didn't throw any of the old stuff away when production restarted after the war).
What exactly do you need pictures of? I was planning to go out to the barn this weekend and take the boot cowl to the airport. The fuel tank and all of the instrument panes, floor boards, control "H" etc are out of the way for clear photos.
Hank

[Pearson]

Re: Pre War Airframe

I want to confirm that the tubes all have the same geometry with regard to each other, and also how exact the location is of the tab shown in the attached picture.

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Pre War Airframe

tab should be the same, it is a floor board tab. Your fuselage in the pic is a postwar due to the brake cable setup if you was not aware

[freightpilot27]

Re: Pre War Airframe

Pearson-
Is that pressurized grit blaster I see in the photo a Harbor Freight special? If so, how well does it work. I'm tired of my gravity fed blaster not blasting and was wondering if the pressurized version works any better.

Sorry to hijack the thread boys.

Thanks,

[Pearson]

Re: Pre War Airframe

Bob,

Yes, it is a Harbor Freight special. I can't tell you if it works very well or not because I have never used it. I bought it to blast the rust on my horse trailer, but I have been busy on airplane projects and now winter is here. When I finally get around to trying it out, I'll let you know how well it does.

Mike,
You have good eyes. It is indeed a 1946 BC12D

RE: The Tab in the photo.
Does anyone have any idea of how close the tolerance is on where that tab in the picture is located? Is it exact enough for a floorboard from one plane to work in another?

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Pre War Airframe

I know the floorboards from my 45 were worthless to make the new ones for the 41 and a couple of odd ones I have picked up over the years were all different.
On the bright side, a piece of cardboard and some old shears had a pattern in less than an hour.
Hank

As a hint, I located the hole for the tab by putting a small bolt and nut through the tab and pushing the cardboard down to make a dimple. Worked a treat!

[Doc]

Re: Pre War Airframe

Regarding the floorboards...I worked backwards on them as they were one of the first assemblies I made when I started the project (start easy...move forward to more difficult things). After cutting new boards out of plywood, I fit them and marked the mounting holes from the bottom. 2+ years later, they fit great. Regarding a pressurized blaster...try Lake Buchanan Industries in TX. They make a great portable pressure pot and blasting cabinet equipment. They cater to hobbyists and their stuff ships in a box via UPS. I just replaced my blasting nozzle and gloves on my cabinet after 4 years of work. My pressure pot has stripped 2 airframes so far with either #4 or #5 blasting grit. PS. Buy the hood. Doc