"Are you kidding me?" There was nothing particularly intuitive about the bungee installation, and the instructions weren't so instructive. We were using large closed loop bungees and were respectful of their ability to dangerously bolt off course if we botched the installation.
Under the circumstances, eye protection seems like a good idea. Another good idea was contacting the
Short Wing Piper Club to borrow a bungee attachment tool. The club has a great lending library for members that lets them borrow specialized tools - all you pay is postage. Once we figured out how to mount the tool it was a cinch - the scary bungees were demystified and quickly installed. Thankfully the eye protection wasn't put to the test.
Stretching the bungees into place requires a lot of strength; without the club's tool we might still be at it. Dick stopped by on his way home from work (no, we did not page him), and characteristically jumped in to help.
 |
As Tom pulls the right side bungees into place, Dick helps counterbalance
the backward pressure. Nick keeps the plane from an unplanned flight.
|
 |
| Pretty, aren't they? Thanks for the help Short Wing Piper Club. |
Contemplating bungees; thank goodness the installation was easier than expected. In the next post I'll tell you what happened right before the victorious bungee installation. Tom was firm that he wanted to end the day on a good note following the aggravation he and Nick had just had with the left side landing gear. In this picture Nick and Tom fill Dick in about the landing gear mayhem they'd just encountered. Never mind - all's well that ends well.
Photos and text by Kathleen Jacques.
Dear Kate, I would be interested to know what aircraft the fuselage for your Clipper originally came from? I am restoring a Clipper in the UK and your fuse is not a standard PA-16 with one front door starboard and one rear door port. You have a front door each side so that it looks more like a Colt converted to tailwheel!?
ReplyDeleteInteresting blog though. Best wishes, Rod
Hi Rod. Nick says to tell you that our Clipper fuselage is indeed original to a standard 1949 PA-16 and, exactly as you mentioned, it came from the Piper factory with one front door starboard (left side) and one rear door port (right side). Since Nick & Tom decided that they did not want to retain the original cramped back seat, the rear door was eliminated and another front door was added. I'd love to post photos of your Clipper project if you'd care to share! Best regards, Kate
ReplyDeleteAh right, that is interesting. Well they have done a very nice job of swapping the door from the back to the front! I have hundreds of photos of ours and would be happy to share a few with you. The only real mod we have made to ours is to get rid of the fuselage fuel tank and replace it with a second wing tank like a Pacer.
DeleteHi Rod. The same fuel tank modification was made to our Clipper. It's funny seeing the spotlessly clean fuel cap and tank when most of the other parts wear the patina of age. Nick says thanks for the praise regarding the doors, but he can't claim credit for swapping them since that had already been done by a previous owner. However, he will have to design and install windows in the doors since both the windows and any necessary hardware are missing! Best regards, Kate
ReplyDeleteHello, Nick's eldest (Morgaine) here. I live too far away to watch the daily progress, but have enjoyed seeing what you've posted here! I know he is still at it. Any recent pictures?
ReplyDelete