Name change for the Eternal Project

[wingnut]

[4583C]

Paul-
After all this time it's really great to finally see the 170 in Mena actually getting ready to fly! Congratulations!



Hey Del-
Is that "hatchback" in the fuselage a new extended baggage access door? Not a bad idea!

Actually I was hoping to put a gunners seat in the hole … put Andy on the scales and quickly scratched that idea!

[hilltop170]

Paul-
After all this time it's really great to finally see the 170 in Mena actually getting ready to fly! Congratulations!



Hey Del-
Is that "hatchback" in the fuselage a new extended baggage access door? Not a bad idea!

Actually I was hoping to put a gunners seat in the hole … put Andy on the scales and quickly scratched that idea!

Too bad, that would have been a great hog hunting rig!

[wingnut]

Cabin top and carry-thru's are done, except for installing the fittings. Wings up next

[wingnut]

Paul has ask me to post these pictures, so to give the story behind the reason for these 2 skin replacements, right and left upper vertical stab skins.

I taped the old skin to the vertical, below the newly installed skin for reference

This is just a close-up pic of the exterior view of the old skin with all the PK screws plugging holes

Paul can explain, but what we found was a gang of holes that had been "plugged" with PK screws thru the skin only, no nut plates or tinnermans

[4583C]

Some time long before I owned the plane there was a rotating beacon mounted on a fabricated mount which stuck up in front of the rudder. I tried to find the drawing that was done for the 337 but gave up after an hour or so. I have never seen a photograph of this particular desecration of that lovely round tail, but the drawing was enough to convince me that it was at least the second ugliest mod ever done to a 170. Wasn't there a federal mandate in the sixties or seventies that all aircraft had to have a rotating beacon?

[Ryan Smith]

Someone did that to my family's airplane. I hate the beacon up there.

One of my many "firsts" to do to it is to yank it off and put a beacon on the belly.

[170C]

Del, those were likely "lightening holes"

Let's see Paul, wasn't there some minor damage to your elevator and/or horizontal stab I once heard a story about that, but my memory could become very poor if the $ was right I'll bet you won't recognize your plane when Del gets finished with it We will have to start thinking about getting the rust off the pilot by the time its ready to be flown. Shouldn't be a hill for a stepper like you Paul I have heard its like riding a bicycle, you learned once upon a time so all you have to do is get on and start peddling I know someone else that needs the rust removed as well

[GAHorn]

If anyone needs assurance as to where and who to send your 170 to for repair or restoration in the central U.S.,... these pics should prove the point, as should anyone who views Richard Pulley's A-model, or the landing light and bag mods done to my B.

Del is the go-to guy for this sort of work not only for the workmanship-skills of his shop, but also for the ideas and recommendations for restorative and modification tasks and the friendly, business-like integrity of his approach to aircraft work. From the moment you meet him until you stand admiringly in front of the finished product, you will find a reassuring countenance in the entire experience.

[4583C]

Debra and I came to Mena yesterday to check on the project. We are camping less than a mile from Del's shop. He has been sending reports and pictures every few days and I knew they had found some corrosion in some of the lap joints in the wings but was a little shocked when I stepped out of the office and saw this. Del is further down the technology highway than I am and will have to post more pics. It took me half an hour to get one!

[C170U2]

Looking great!! Keep the pictures coming!! You planning on painting or polishing it?

[4583C]

Looking great!! Keep the pictures coming!! You planning on painting or polishing it?

It will be painted in the original scheme. I'm far too lazy for polish and with the exception of the new skins it's just to rough to polish. I met with Darrell Mos today and made a deal for the paint job. He is the guy who painted Richard Pulley's A model and he does great work as you can see in the pic below.

[wingnut]

Aft spar WS 100, after

Aft spar WS 100, before

Aft spar fitting area, after

Aft spar fitting area, before

I'm going to try posting some before/after pictures. Some or all of the "before" pictures may be sideways. I can't remember if they were taken before or after I learned I had to hold the phone sideways.
These are pictures of the reason(s) we decided to completely undress the wings.

[wingnut]

IB LE skin, before

Lower box section skin

Lower box section skin being cleaned

We will not reuse any skins, just cleaning them for handling. All new skins

[wingnut]

Symmetry issue

Tip rib before

Tip rib after

LE rib corrosion

Popped rivet heads