The Rebirth of Cessna 140 NC3771V

[6643]

Are you going to paint the control surfaces? If so, and the primer is so well adhered, why not just leave it? (If you're going to polish them, well... what can I say? )

[regular122]

Are you going to paint the control surfaces? If so, and the primer is so well adhered, why not just leave it? (If you're going to polish them, well... what can I say? )

I was looking at the factory floor pics John and it looks like the control surfaces and fairings were natural metal. I am seeing that correctly? Steve

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[regular122]

Had to work on the Cherokee today to help finish up the annual, but I wanted to post an update.

7 Aug 2020 - Had a minor setback last week when an aileron cable got caught in the buffer. Matt had been watching them closely throughout but in one particular tricky area around the wing roots, the buffer slipped, grabbed the coiled and taped cable and pulled enough tension on it to somehow connect to the positive cable running from the battery box. POW! Fried and separated cable. No other damage was done fortunately. One of the A&Ps helping us said to leave the cable as is and it can be used to thread the new one into the proper channels. Fortunately, the cables can be found for around $50.

Other than that, the left wing control surfaces are now completely stripped along with the rudder. Next is the right wing control surfaces and then the wings will be ready for covering. Also plan on stripping the elevators so all the control surfaces can be buffed together. I have found that the Jasco product takes care of the paint fine. A second coat gets alot of the primer and then the heat gun loosens the rest. Slow go but it works.

Fuselage is nearly buffed out now, with only the tail fin and top remaining.

I know it will get there. One week at a time....

Steve

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[8455]

Thanks for the update - I've enjoyed reading your journey.

I love the look of the polished fuselage!

[8342]

I happened upon a Stewart System Youtube video the other day and they are getting approval to glue a layer of 104 fabric over the entire wing instead of finishing tape.
You still cover the wing as you normally would with 102 fabric and rib stitch or what ever system you use to attach the fabricate the wing and then cover with it with the 104.
It looks really slick and would be easier to do than putting finishing tape over every rib and around the perimeter.
They also said that it was lighter that way.
I do not have the link but I think they called it double covering.

If I had know about this earlier I would have don it to my wings.

Rick

[6643]

Would-a, could-a, should-a....

(How can two layers be lighter than one?)

[regular122]

I think I will stay old school with the rib tapes. I plan on using the original style rib tape clips. More work maybe...but has a nice vintage look.
Any advice on threading the new cable to replace the old?

Steve

[8342]

Use the old cable to pull the new one through.

Years ago I modified a turnbuckle to be able to pull a new throttle cable on a Cessna 421.

Rick

[regular122]

Use the old cable to pull the new one through.

Years ago I modified a turnbuckle to be able to pull a new throttle cable on a Cessna 421.

Rick

Any opinions on using salvaged cables vs new? Steve

[regular122]

21 Aug 2020 - Steady slog today with the right aileron stripped. Lots of heat gun work to get the final bits but it comes off.

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I also ordered this week a custom set of vinyl Sinclair 18" decals that should be in next week.

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You can see in this pic where they will go.

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The fuselage is about ready for paint and Matt wanted to match the decal color of red to the red trim for the plane. We have also mixed the interior mimic of French Silver Gray or whatever they call it. That should get the inside going and then we will paint the instrument panel covers brown. We also matched the red-orange colors of the knobs so we can paint the yokes the same color as shown in this thread viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1044.

Steve