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Post by isc on Feb 8, 2017 20:48:44 GMT 12
I have not been in touch with him since he was in Wanaka, I think the last time I was talking with him we talked motor bikes, and how he'd got back to riding. Back in the late 60s, when he got married, his wife grounded him. isc
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Post by craig on Feb 8, 2017 22:08:18 GMT 12
Fuse off to get reacquainted with the wings  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2017 10:04:03 GMT 12
Fantastic. That's given me a big smile.
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Post by craig on Mar 3, 2017 6:50:54 GMT 12
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2017 8:10:48 GMT 12
Wow. Visual progress is my favourite kind! Top job Craig and co!
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Post by Mustang51 on Mar 3, 2017 11:43:53 GMT 12
Looking great......... that second pic is the type of thing I am familiar with but the "visions of sugar plum fairies" in my head shows me it to be all finished, bright and shiny ! Guess that is part of the restorer's affliction.
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Post by craig on Mar 3, 2017 19:19:12 GMT 12
Believe it or not we were actually able to salvage the corner skins, which had serial numbers on indicating they were original Wackett parts. Not bad for 3/4 of a century items.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 4, 2017 9:09:26 GMT 12
Huh? Is the Cropmaster based on a CAC Wackett trainer?
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Post by baz62 on Mar 4, 2017 9:14:24 GMT 12
Huh? Is the Cropmaster based on a CAC Wackett trainer? Correct. |
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Post by craig on Mar 4, 2017 13:59:35 GMT 12
DAVE. really!!!!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 4, 2017 14:24:29 GMT 12
 ? |
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Post by craig on Mar 14, 2017 13:48:58 GMT 12
Ben is well underway with fuse skins.  As you see the fin is in position having been completely rebuilt.  It was a little tricky getting the rib curves correct (ribs support horizontal stringers which in turn support the skin) but I think, the worst is over and everything is progressing well. From what I can work out it seems the ribs and stringers are original Wackett. So when converting to Cropmaster they simply removed the fabric covering and replaced with .020" alclad skins. |
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Post by craig on Mar 14, 2017 14:01:01 GMT 12
We have also discovered that a swaging jenny produces a satisfactory flute in T3 Alclad. So the metal ailerons are again possible.
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Post by Mustang51 on Mar 14, 2017 15:33:32 GMT 12
Love that tin bashing. It is my favourite part and that which gives the greatest satisfaction - when it is finished ! Dave, Really? Cropmaster/Wackett........ you'll get drummed out of the service !
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Post by kiwiduster1 on Mar 14, 2017 18:51:15 GMT 12
Lovely to see this build! Thanks for sharing and keep them coming !!
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Post by derekbu on Apr 25, 2017 0:37:30 GMT 12
Huh? Is the Cropmaster based on a CAC Wackett trainer? Yes Dave, inside that sexy Cropmaster skin is a CAC Wackett steel tube framework. The all-metal wing is aerodynamically identical to a Wackett wooden wing (same airfoil section and taper) apart from square tips. |
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Post by agalbraith on Apr 25, 2017 8:03:43 GMT 12
Craig, I am REALLY enjoying watching this come together mate....well done. We need more people like you to save our Ag history! I have always fancied doing a Pawnee and kitting her up in Ag gear...Wh knows, maybe after the Auster....IF Belynda lets me LOL
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Post by craig on Apr 29, 2017 7:58:14 GMT 12
Time for some more progress shots The first is a removable side panel. This is ex Wackett and even has the aircraft ID tag. I will ensure this is not removed.  The next few of the fuse skins all trial fitted. The top skins (not shown) are removable panels and simply lock into place (DZUS)    |
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Post by craig on Apr 29, 2017 8:12:19 GMT 12
For sometime I had been looking for a good DZUS tool to create the dimples required for the removable panels. I eventually gave up and made one myself on my "good old" Logan lathe (boy has that bit of kit paid ($450) for itself many times over). Very satisfied with the end result which creates a pretty much fool-proof result every time.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2017 13:16:53 GMT 12
Great stuff Craig! I always enjoy seeing progress on this one. Some beautiful work being done.
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