Mouse proof your airplane?

[skyboltone]

I think this poor fellow is dreaming. The mice I have fought wouldn't even slow down for these little rings. Too low. I think you need funnel cones on the gear; open towards the ground.

http://www.barnstormers.com/ad_detail.php?ID=509828

So this is a 41. So is that a "Deluxe" panel? Isn't there supposed to be other trim, like around the front of the cowl too. Just askin'

Dan

[M Towsley]

Re: Mouse proof your airplane?

I have been using similiar, aluminum flashing, for 7 years in Midwest farm country with no illegal entry whatsoever. Apparently they grow them a little bigger out there where you are...

[crispy critter]

Re: Mouse proof your airplane?

rats will go over that with no problem and some house/barn mice if determined enough but it will usually keep them out especially if the airplane is being used once a month or so,plus the concret floor helps......however they'll climb that plastic bucket like it ain't even there.

[M Towsley]

Re: Mouse proof your airplane?

Thankfully, no rats around here. I didn't see the bucket. What a pain to put it up there every time. Takes two seconds to put the shields up and take down. I bend the edges and just slip them together. In fact I have never seen anyone around here, whether the plane is inside or outside, do anything to keep the little buggars out.

I just noticed it has the old style air intake, too.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Mouse proof your airplane?

Wow, that is one NICE looking plane, especially for that price! As to what makes it a "Deluxe", yes, the panel with the suspended instruments is a big part of it. In 1941 the instruments were actually suspended on a plate behind the darker panel (it is supposed to be just a cover in front of them, but on this plane the instruments are actually mounted to the front insert). Originally the insert panel and glove box doors were faux painted with wood grain. On the "IFR equipped" versions you got a wet compass, a turn & bank and a rate of climb as well as a sensitive altimeter. This one is only missing the ROC. That is an old 1940 or 41 throttle ball and would have a little paper label in the center that said "Push" "Throttle" and "On". There were several different wheels with the "Banjo" being the fanciest one. Those are actually the Banjo from an Aeronca Chief. The upholstery looks really nice as does the exterior paint scheme which was called "Duo Tone" with the light color on top and the darker on the bottom (missing the accent pin stripe between the colors which could be added in a day) .
Really neat to see an original carb intake on the lower cowl (most have had big square filters added" The nose bowl is post war but the stainless side trims are there (which are VERY hard to find!). It has the large compass housing but I can't see if it has an original bubble compass (those will give you heart failure when you see how expensive they can be!) Looks like it even has all of the trim pieces in the cockpit (also kind of hard to find) and the original wood doors (yes, after you have built one you can tell!).
All in all looks like a great plane (from the pictures) with a LOT of original configuration parts in place. If you are totally crazy enough to want one that is exactly like it rolled out of the factory, this one is well along the way! Add the 4 piece flat panel windshield, a pre-war nose bowl, minor additions to the panel and some strut cuffs and Gilbert Taylor wouldn't know it wasn't on the factory floor.
So pretty it got me excited, like you couldn't tell!
Hank

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Mouse proof your airplane?

As to the mice shields,.... beats me. I would think any rodent would have enough respect to stay the heck out.
Hank

[dejh22]

Re: Mouse proof your airplane?

As to the mice shields,.... beats me. I would think any rodent would have enough respect to stay the heck out.
Hank

I have cats that will keep guard for mine!

Dale

[Larry Lyons]

Re: Mouse proof your airplane?

The grills are not the Deluxe ones and the trim pieces on the cowl should be 3 wide like in the picture at the top of this page. I had the 3 wide trim pieces but no cast grills. I aquired a set of rough castings from another tribe member and have 2 of the three pieces buffed to where you can see yourself in them, the third is about half way there. However I believe it took a deluxe to have two doors, or that may have been an option on a standard model. On my deluxe there are mounting brackets behind the panel to mount the intstruments too. Also the intake grill I have is for the larger square opening. I also do not have the back windows nor a sky light. But I do love his price, I am envious, there it sits, ready to fly, where as mine is a long long ways from that day!
L

I think this poor fellow is dreaming. The mice I have fought wouldn't even slow down for these little rings. Too low. I think you need funnel cones on the gear; open towards the ground.

http://www.barnstormers.com/ad_detail.php?ID=509828

So this is a 41. So is that a "Deluxe" panel? Isn't there supposed to be other trim, like around the front of the cowl too. Just askin'

Dan

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Mouse proof your airplane?

I am really looking forward to posting the photos of my 41 so I can get input on what is left to make changes on. It is really fun for me to try and make her as close to original as I can. SO MANY little details!
Hank

[skyboltone]

Re: Mouse proof your airplane?

So this one has all the fancy trim on the cowling. I've requested that the seller provide some interior shots when he gets a chance. This one is owned by an AP/IA but only 65 hp. He's at about 3400' elevation though. I sure would like to see what she looks like inside. The outside looks pretty snazzy.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Mouse proof your airplane?

NEAT! Still has the original carb intake too. Too small a picture to see a lot of details but please post any other photos you get.
Hank

[astjp2]

Re: Mouse proof your airplane?

1 pound of corn meal mixed with 1 pound of plaster O paris, no more mouse problems. Takes care of rats and squirrls. Just dont let the kids lick the pavement.

[skyboltone]

Re: Mouse proof your airplane?

1 pound of corn meal mixed with 1 pound of plaster O paris, no more mouse problems. Takes care of rats and squirrls. Just dont let the kids lick the pavement.

how do you get them to hold still long enough for the plaster of paris to set up? No really? Do they get mixed up and eat the plaster with the corn and get all froze up inside?

[astjp2]

Re: Mouse proof your airplane?

Can you say s#it'n bricks? Old farmers trick. it can wipe out an entire poplulation of rodents...Tim

[crispy critter]

Re: Mouse proof your airplane?

how do you get them to hold still long enough for the plaster of paris to set up? No really? Do they get mixed up and eat the plaster with the corn and get all froze up inside?

Plaster of paris is a powder that when mixed with water and allowed time to dry makes it hard. You mix the plaster of paris powder with corn mean(the corn mean give flavor to the plaster so the rodents will eat it). After the rodents eat the mix it makes them very thirsty and they drink lots & lots of water,the more they drink the more thirsty it makes them until the powder mix they have already ate turns to past and hardens.....no more rodent problem. Some would call that inhumain then set out a box of decon instead,lmao....decon does almost the same thing.