1970 IIa 109 ex mod build thread

[Broadstone]

symbols) parts

You learn something new every day. Thanks Terrys!

[scatterling]

Build looks great!

[I Leak Oil]

Looks good and you work quick. All that in a day huh?
Not to hijack but any info on the flattie? Looks like USN issue?

[stonefox]

Powdercoated brake lines! Wow! I thought that I was going overboard by clear coating mine.

Yes Jeff you definately cut some corners on your lightweight , I was gunna call you out on it but I'm glad you came clean to all of us about it.
Mason, I truly am having second thoughts about starting my build thread.You have raised the bar . I know the hours and coin I have put into my project and it pales in comparison to your build. Each new entry makes my jaw drop.
You must be divorced by now

[masonater]

Not to hijack but any info on the flattie? Looks like USN issue?

47 CJ3A restored about 8 or 9 years ago. It is my wiring inspiration, all done like an airplane with brakers and very simple. Not military just painted like one. Only has about 350 miles since rebuild about 300 of which i put on last spring...Runs amazing, pretty much a hangar queen sadly. I do cruise it around the airport a lot though...

[masonater]

You must be divorced by now

try 26 and single! I figure i have about 2,000 hours into the build so far and probably close to that in $$ give or take a few hundred. Helps to have access to a mega shop and a seasonal job, although that doesn't really help with cash flow. Eat. Sleep. Rover.

[masonater]

Before a huge thunderstorm passed through today i had the bulkhead outside. Lots of sanding and grinding away a combination of surface rust and layers of paint and undercoat. Glad i took it down to metal because i found some sneaky rust around the door posts. I will probably just fill in the holes with weld. Found lots of bondo around the seams on the front side. Wonder who did that? doubt the military folks took the time to seam seal with bondo...

[jac04]

Found lots of bondo around the seams on the front side. Wonder who did that? doubt the military folks took the time to seam seal with bondo...

I found dried-out seam sealer on almost all my bulkhead seams. It was so dried-out that it looked like Bondo. It was definitely doing more harm than good. After sandblasting, I slightly thinned some Eastwood Rust Encapsulator and poured it into all the seams.

try 26 and single! I figure i have about 2,000 hours into the build so far ...

Wow, reminds me of the good old days! Must be nice to work during daylight hours. All my work gets done between 8pm and about 1am when my wife and 2 kids are sleeping.

[rbbailey]

RV-4, Citabria, Pacer, a Skymaster, something sporty under the cloth... oh, and a Series 109. .......I could live in that hangar and be happy for the rest of my life. So. Cool.

[masonater]

RV-4, Citabria, Pacer, a Skymaster, something sporty under the cloth... oh, and a Series 109. .......I could live in that hangar and be happy for the rest of my life. So. Cool.

RV-8 with a 540, 240z under the cover, and i live up in the loft

[rbbailey]

RV-8 with a 540, 240z under the cover, and i live up in the loft

Too... much.... to.... comprehend. What a collection!

I'm just hoping to get my IIa up and running some day. The Pacer is actually the plane I want to buy -- but each of those birds would be on my short list, although to fill it out, I'd have to add a Cessna 180 and probably a Maule.

[TSR53]

RV-8 with a 540, 240z under the cover, and i live up in the loft

Exceptional build thread, very nice shop hanger too! We like your powder coated brake lines. Very nice to have your loft right off the tarmac, lucky you - test the 240Z and all the other goodies.

Since you gurus are straying off-topic I might as well chime in... Great to see all the pilots come out the wood work. Getting ready for flying season soon with piloting my electric powered RC Sailplanes. My hanger is filled with a 2 meter and several 2.35+ meter planes; Radian, DG-1000, ASK-21, Ventus and a Discus.

[masonater]

went away for a week back home to pick up some BFG muds 255/85/16 i scored for free. Hope they fit

Pressure washed the hood and the old crappy paint job just flaked right off.

Hung the bulkhead, radiator support, and seat box and got them ready to start painting



Used some aircraft etch primer called dupont variprime 615s, after some research it appears that you have to prime over this primer. I had already ordered some etching primer from eastwood but couldn't wait to start.

I had only one quart of eastwoods primer and ran out after the bulkhead and radiator support.


Filled a couple holes in the tailgate and sanded it ready for primer.

Sanded the hood to try and smooth out the 4 layers of old paint.

[rwollschlager]

went away for a week back home to pick up some BFG muds 255/85/16 i scored for free. Hope they fit

those should fit fine, if you suddenly decide you don't like them shoot me a pm and I will gladly purchase them from you.
keep up the great work!

-Rob

[masonater]

Got the sills apart and sanded them down good enough for a primer.

After a battle with the 20 something flathead screws and nuts holding the spare tire plate on the hood, i used a cut off wheel and zipped them all off. All those layers of paint and rust was making it next to impossible to get a good bite with a flat head.