Poly-Fiber Couture

Let the nip & tuck begin. Tom stands ready to fill our workspace with toxic glue fumes as the Poly-Fiber is secured. It was a painstaking task for Tom as he secured the sleeve with clothespins, trimmed excess fabric, then glued the fitted and aligned covering to the frame. Nick worked alongside, enduring Tom's jokes about Aviation Inspectors ("AIs").

AI wisdom...or a discussion regarding lunch?

Beautiful, isn't it?

Tom looks so happy and serene here...could be the glue fumes.

Photos and text by Kathleen Jacques.

Bit by Bit, What it Takes

Tell someone that you may have to rebuild the engine of your restoration project antique airplane, and they likely will nod their head in empathy and admiration. Bring up your travails covering the airplane's frame with fabric and dope, and you've instigated a heartfelt reminiscence of blind rib-stitching, Poly-Brush highs, (no-heat) heat guns, migrating Poly -Fiber seams, and needing just one more inspection ring.  If you want to burst that bubble of awe --- show them your workspace. emphasis on WORK!

Bit by bit, the job comes together and it's not just an abstract idea. An airplane takes shape.

And through it all, Nick and Tom are still smiling.

Photos and text by Kathleen Jacques.

1 Step Forward 2 Steps Back

Really, it's not the end of the world... Despite the fact that the brake assembly was installed then uninstalled 2 or 3 times...  Something was wrong with the brake assembly itself and it took a lot of angst to figure things out.  Never fear; a solution is on the way.  The brake assembly assembler has been contacted and a fix is forthcoming. Tom has rallied and all is well (for now).

...at least  the tail wheel finally cooperated...

"Never mind dang setbacks - this is fun" (Kate's translation - edited for posterity)

Don't worry. They'll be back.

Photos and text by Kathleen Jacques.

Blind Stitching

"What is going on in there?!"  That's how it begins...the curious wander in...and...we PUT THEM TO WORK! So thank you to Tom D'Amico, who found himself  blind stitching the wing material onto the wing frame.  It's called blind stitching because you have no clue what interior obstructions to avoid once you pierce the material.  

Is he trapped? Should I help him? Hmm.....

The tailwheel assembly didn't come easy.  They don't look happy.

Better leave it for today, tomorrow it'll all make sense.

Photos and text by Kathleen Jacques.

Progress!

Finally the joint is jumping again (as in, we're jumping out of the way of sparks).  After various and numerous setbacks, the work has resumed and Nick's cache of airplane parts (when we can find them), are being assembled.

Tom tutors Nick (Tom started that rumor)

Tape, twine, flimsy fabric - who knew?

Tom working Nick too hard?

Master class.

Now what?

Photos and text by Kathleen Jacques.

Clipper Puzzle Pieces

Welcome to Nick and Tom's 1949 Piper Clipper restoration project.  Hard to believe from the initial photos, but this plane is going to fly soon!

We will be using this blog to schedule work sessions, add task lists, and generally communicate about all things Clipper.

We will attempt to post the date of upcoming work sessions, and file status reports on our progress. Once the plane is on-line we can use the site to post our dates and time of intended use. We may also list discrepancies, complaints and maintenance schedules. We will have operation forms in the plane of course but the complementing site reports would put everyone on notice of the status and availability of the plane.

Photos and text by Kathleen Jacques.