N1423P is back in the air! Even if the pictures are from in the hanger.
This turned out to be a much larger and longer project than I had originally thought but I am very happy with the result. I learned a great deal and got help from many friends.
The "short" list of the work includes:
Dakota Airframes built up a all 4130 replacement fuselage in their PA-12 jigs. Removed the bungee support system (had PA-18 gear), added the cabin X brace, full observer windows, weld-on float fittings, welded seat belt tabs for all seating positions, extended baggage and reinforced tail. The airplane already had cub style doors on both sides.
New stainless firewall, and a new boot cowl. All new metal interior. New seat cushions and reupholstered seats. Insulated with Reflectix bubble foil. All new "glass". Pilot seat slides on base with one-time approval of Volvo seat rails (preexisting approval). Replaced passenger side Piper seat rails.
The wings got one new rear spar, Dakota ribs, new leading edges, false spares, and aileron and flap hangers. Reinstalled Boundary Layer VG's. Squared ailerons to match preexisting Crosswinds wing tips. Installed pulselight system and split landing light and taxi light placing them out at wing tips.
New Rudder and vertical stabilizer.
3" extended gear, new brakes and wheels, new master cylinders and brake lines, and 29" Bushwheels. Bushweel tailwheel on 3 leaf Pawnee style tailspring.
Reinstalled Atlee Dodge Tanks with front and rear fuel lines from both sides. New Steve's gascolator.
Installed PA-18 style preheat shroud in line with PA-14 muffler for extra heat and Atlee Dodge Defroster Kit.
Lightweight Hawker battery mounted under the seat with dual solenoid system. Installed a lightweight Skytec Starter.
Serviced and yellow tagged Borer 82-44 prop.
New instrument panel using mostly existing instruments. Removed old Radio, Loran and ADF. Installed new Icom radio and Garmin transponder. Designed panel to permit upgrade to Garmin 496 in future. Installed Fuel Scan 450.
All new wiring, circuit breakers, engine and flight control cables, fuel lines, oil lines, static system lines, etc.
Cover in Polyfiber with Polytone on fabric and Aerothane on aluminum. Fuselage and steel parts powdercoated, metal interior powdercoated.
CAP 2000 floats sodablasted and new float silver lacquer paint. Struts and other small parts powdercoated.
Got lucky, took it up the first time and it flew hands off. It's good to be flying again!
This turned out to be a much larger and longer project than I had originally thought but I am very happy with the result. I learned a great deal and got help from many friends.
The "short" list of the work includes:
Dakota Airframes built up a all 4130 replacement fuselage in their PA-12 jigs. Removed the bungee support system (had PA-18 gear), added the cabin X brace, full observer windows, weld-on float fittings, welded seat belt tabs for all seating positions, extended baggage and reinforced tail. The airplane already had cub style doors on both sides.
New stainless firewall, and a new boot cowl. All new metal interior. New seat cushions and reupholstered seats. Insulated with Reflectix bubble foil. All new "glass". Pilot seat slides on base with one-time approval of Volvo seat rails (preexisting approval). Replaced passenger side Piper seat rails.
The wings got one new rear spar, Dakota ribs, new leading edges, false spares, and aileron and flap hangers. Reinstalled Boundary Layer VG's. Squared ailerons to match preexisting Crosswinds wing tips. Installed pulselight system and split landing light and taxi light placing them out at wing tips.
New Rudder and vertical stabilizer.
3" extended gear, new brakes and wheels, new master cylinders and brake lines, and 29" Bushwheels. Bushweel tailwheel on 3 leaf Pawnee style tailspring.
Reinstalled Atlee Dodge Tanks with front and rear fuel lines from both sides. New Steve's gascolator.
Installed PA-18 style preheat shroud in line with PA-14 muffler for extra heat and Atlee Dodge Defroster Kit.
Lightweight Hawker battery mounted under the seat with dual solenoid system. Installed a lightweight Skytec Starter.
Serviced and yellow tagged Borer 82-44 prop.
New instrument panel using mostly existing instruments. Removed old Radio, Loran and ADF. Installed new Icom radio and Garmin transponder. Designed panel to permit upgrade to Garmin 496 in future. Installed Fuel Scan 450.
All new wiring, circuit breakers, engine and flight control cables, fuel lines, oil lines, static system lines, etc.
Cover in Polyfiber with Polytone on fabric and Aerothane on aluminum. Fuselage and steel parts powdercoated, metal interior powdercoated.
CAP 2000 floats sodablasted and new float silver lacquer paint. Struts and other small parts powdercoated.
Got lucky, took it up the first time and it flew hands off. It's good to be flying again!
