|
|
Post by craig on Nov 4, 2014 20:54:26 GMT 12
Skins on just waiting for some more pop rivets to finish  |
|
|
|
Post by nuuumannn on Nov 8, 2014 15:15:22 GMT 12
Marvellous effort Craig. Serious skin work like that scares me a little. Terrific results.
|
|
|
|
Post by craig on Nov 11, 2014 6:24:56 GMT 12
We have now almost completed all the lower skins. In the end we replaced most of the lower ones with new as well, as it was going to be more time efficient than tidying up the old ones. Unfortunately the leading edge skins (which we had initially intended to reuse) are now looking a bit scruffy and would ideally like to replace these also.... So now we are on the look out for a sheet metal roller suitable suitable to form the leading edge curves!!!! This is complicated by the fact the wing is highly tapered and hence the bend radius progressively changes along the the entire length of wing. Ben is confident it won't be a problem if we can just find the correct type and size of roller......
|
|
|
|
Post by DragonflyDH90 on Nov 11, 2014 11:17:13 GMT 12
Try contacting Pacific Aerospace or Safe Air
|
|
|
|
Post by oj on Nov 11, 2014 19:58:29 GMT 12
Forgive me as I am not a framey, but pop-rivets on the Cropmaster? I thought they only got onto production aircraft with the advent of the Airtourer.
Are they as per original wing or a modern concession to your excellent restoration?
|
|
|
|
Post by craig on Nov 11, 2014 20:38:19 GMT 12
No Pop rivets as per original. In fact they made the Victas next door. I believe the rudder skins may have been from the Victa factory.
|
|
|
|
Post by craig on Nov 18, 2014 16:52:54 GMT 12
First wing down off the jig and the second one up into position. Half the skins off already and will be fabricating new ones by weeks end.
|
|
|
|
Post by craig on Dec 24, 2014 12:15:41 GMT 12
 I have recently completed a deal to purchase a BN Islander which is apparently beyond economic repair. I feel a bit guilty wrecking what appears to be a not too shabby aircraft. But I am assured it is past economic repair and would have only been scrapped otherwise. Many of the flying surfaces will be removed and stored as spares by the local operator. It comes with 2 Lycoming 0540's and hopefully one may be a suitable for the Cropmaster. CTX had a Continential IO 470 E (260 hp)from new. But the early ones commonly had the Lycoming O 540 developing 250 hp and was seemingly more reliable. Fortunately I have a Lycoming engine mount and the cowling I sourced from Auz is for the Lycoming (has an extra bulge on the underside to accommodate the carb). So all going well we may have an engine! |
|
|
|
Post by craig on Dec 24, 2014 12:25:50 GMT 12
P.S. We have managed to track down a suitable sheet metal roller locally (in Gore) and Ben will start fabricating new leading edges early in the new year.
Happy and Safe Xmas to all...
|
|
|
|
Post by delticman on Dec 24, 2014 12:45:38 GMT 12
What is the BN2, registration?
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2014 13:50:07 GMT 12
Man I'd love a BN2! Not sure how Sam would like it on the lawn, though...
Great news Craig, and I look forward to following the restoration in the New Year. All the best to you and yours.
|
|
|
|
Post by craig on Dec 24, 2014 14:12:08 GMT 12
What is the BN2, registration? EVT ex Aspiring Air |
|
|
|
Post by dakman on Dec 24, 2014 20:21:06 GMT 12
Thanks for the update Craig.Look forward to more news on the rebuild.
|
|
|
|
Post by craig on Jan 19, 2015 17:30:05 GMT 12
 The restoration team. Ben Shirkey (engineer), Me, Bill Dowden (my Dad, the worlds most experienced Cropmaster pilot) |
|
|
|
Post by noooby on Jan 19, 2015 18:13:15 GMT 12
If you do use the Islander engine and you use a constant speed prop, remember that the prop governor on a twin engine aircraft works opposite to the prop governor on a single engined aircraft! Found that out the hard way once on a custom built aircraft I was setting up the engine on (also out of an Islander).
If you lose oil pressure on a single engine aircraft the prop will go to fine pitch. If you lose oil pressure on a twin, the prop will go to coarse pitch/feather.
|
|
|
|
Post by craig on Jan 19, 2015 20:07:57 GMT 12
Cheers... We have it under control and are swapping 2 islander props for 1 prop and governor off a cherrokee 6 (260 hp) which was repropped with a 3 blade.
|
|
|
|
Post by noooby on Jan 20, 2015 6:15:45 GMT 12
Nice!
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2015 7:42:13 GMT 12
Great to put a face to the name, and to meet the team.
|
|
|
|
Post by agalbraith on Jan 21, 2015 8:52:49 GMT 12
Great job guys, I am really enjoying watching this come together! Awesome project
|
|
|
|
Post by craig on Jan 27, 2015 6:26:58 GMT 12
 The engine (ex Islander). A bit scruffy but hopefully will be serviceable without spending another fortune! It is out of calender hrs but has only done 1200 actual. So in theory can be run on condition as is. Time will tell.... |
|
