The Rebirth of Cessna 140 NC3771V

[regular122]

Question on paint trim patterns.

Are there any technical sheets / blueprints, etc that show the exact markings and placement? I did find an original pattern on one that was within 43 of the serial that must have been made within a few days of each other. My serial is 15064. Below is a pic of 15019.

Cessna_140_15019.jpg (441.54 KiB) Viewed 34743 times

I have also noticed that even with types made within the same batch, there seems to be slight variations on the striping. Did they have modest deviation on the assembly line in a run?

What I would like to find is some kind of technical print that shows the markings. Any help or suggestions is appreciated.

Steve

[8342]

I have heard of the Stewarts system but have not checked it out. I will. Any ballpark of cost for two wings? Steve

Sorry I do not have any idea on cost. I am doing a total rebuild and have a stack of receipts.

Stewart will be happy to give you a quote for materials needed to do a covering.

Rick

[regular122]

OK, I got a good materials list for the two wings from Stewart's that seems reasonable. About $2500.00 for everything and assumes you have absolutely nothing you need. One item I was considering adding was leading edge felt.

Question - Has anyone used leading edge felt and are there any concerns with dong so?

Since my left wing has a leading edge section patch, I figured the felt would provide a smoother overall appearance than tape over the section edges. Felt does not seem to provide any weight concerns and looks very nice on the finished product. Opinions welcome. Steve

[8342]

I did add the felt to the leading edges of my wings and like the way it turned out.

It smoothed out all of the lumps and bumps from joints and rivet heads.

How much weight it added I do not know.

I feel the tradeoff was worth it.

Rick

[8233]

This used to be in the site library.

paintscheme1.jpeg (111.43 KiB) Viewed 34719 times

[regular122]

Thanks guys. This helps. I have decided to cover the wings with the Stewart's system. The diagram measurements can hopefully be adapted as well.

10 Jul 2020 - Back to the wings. While waiting for the Stewarts system stuff to arrive, time to do more mindless paint stripping. This time the ailerons. Those folds and rivets on the surfaces are not cooperating and it is slow go. While 95% comes off, that last 5% is no fun. But hey, there are only 2 and only 2 flaps. Should have them knocked out soon. Steve

Cessna_140_3771V_10Jul2020b.jpg (285.07 KiB) Viewed 34705 times

[8342]

I found that using a stiff plastic scrub brush and red scotch write pad get that last little bit of stubborn paint off.

Do it with the stripper still on and use it more ore less as a lube.

While the wing was opened up I took all of the cross brace wires out, cleaned off all corrosion, primed, painted and reinstalled.

I also replaced all corroded steel hardware.

Rick

[regular122]

I found that using a stiff plastic scrub brush and red scotch write pad get that last little bit of stubborn paint off.

Do it with the stripper still on and use it more ore less as a lube.

While the wing was opened up I took all of the cross brace wires out, cleaned off all corrosion, primed, painted and reinstalled.

I also replaced all corroded steel hardware.

Rick

That's pretty much what I have been doing. And as you can see from the tools on the bench in this pic, that your advice is spot on. The fuselage was alot more than this but the reinforcing ribs in the aileron surface, combined with the rivets, make for slow go.

Cessna_140_3771V_10Jul2020c.jpg (272.18 KiB) Viewed 34687 times

I'll take a look at the bracing wires. Not a bad idea. I am guessing they would need a correct torque though? Or some sequence?

I also intend to add bracing cross tape. The donor wing in the background had it, but it may have been from a recover earlier. Both wings appear to have had the Stit's and Ceconite. Mine will now have the Stewart's and the Superflite 102 fabric.

I am also trying to find a Grimes swing down light for the left wing. Found a good one in Alaska but waited too long and it was gone. Was even converted to LED. Still looking while there is time. Steve

[8342]

From what I can find Cessna did not use the cross bracing tape.
I did not with the first set that I recovered but I would definitely use it from now on.
There are couple of ribs have slight curves that I could have kept from happening if I had used the tape.

See attachment about installing wing drag wires.

Wing-drag-wires.pdf

(53.06 KiB) Downloaded 1193 times

Rick

[regular122]

16 July 2020 - Fuselage work and buff out going well. Many thanks to Matt Nichols for this work. He offered and I gladly accepted and it allows me to work on the wings. I think I am going to like this look. Steve

Cessna_140_3771V_16Jul2020a.jpg (302.04 KiB) Viewed 34641 times

Cessna_140_3771V_16Jul2020b.jpg (299.41 KiB) Viewed 34641 times