Winter is known for hibernation, indoor projects to make the warmer months more enjoyable.
Mom’s Chief has been wiped down to remove dust and dirt before inspecting closely with both eyes and fingertips for areas that need repair.
We brought home the airplane project my mom brought home before my parents were married and are once again bringing it to flying status.
The restorer, one of our Aeronca friends, and now our talented welder have examined the fuselage. Areas of concern are marked with painter’s tape and labeled.
The welder has had his hand in projects around the airport and surrounding communities for years. Uncle Paul, who is a welder too, has called on the welder in times when he has needed a hand as well.
I had first heard about the welder from Uncle Paul as he and Peppermint Pam were settling into their new home and shop, the welder’s name came up time and time again as little things were settled into place with the welder’s suggestions or assistance.
The award-winning Waco Cabin based on our field had the welders touch on some of its parts as did the restorer’s clipped-wing Cub.
Considering the level of detail the restorers and Uncle Paul put into their projects, the welder must be exacting in his craft as well.
I would soon find out firsthand.
Less cold weather allowed for some time outside and moving around at the airport. We got the apron in front of our hangars shoveled out where snow had blown in after being plowed.
Preparing to Move
We will need to open the hangar door to move the Chief today and it just made sense to get Sis dug out in case we were able to get some time in her before long.
The restorer figured it would take four of us to carry the fuselage to the welder’s hangar, we would see who was around the airport when we got ready to move.
Thinking of mom’s fuselage being carried up the taxiway makes me smile, I understand that parts need to move from place to place but seeing them move as less than a completed project is neat to see, or be a part of.
Warming up inside the Cub and Chief hangar after shoveling out, the restorer inspected parts of the Chief wings. Like the procedure for the fuselage, visual inspection along with cleaning to reveal deficient areas will be in our future.
Parts are available for the Champ and Chief from various sources.
Having the availability of parts allows for flexibility in resources, if what we have is not serviceable replacements can be obtained rather than fabricated like on some areas of our 1947 Bonanza.
The welder arrived with a pickup truck. All we would have to do is carry the fuselage out of the hangar and into the bed then repeat on the other end. We wouldn’t need another hand after all!
One last look at the fuselage before moving for the restorer and welder led to a discussion and visual inspection of the remaining assembled wing spars.
We already knew we needed two new spars (the Chief and Champ have forward and rear spars for each wing) for the disassembled wing.
Cursory inspection of the assembled wing suggested they were serviceable until the welder and restorer took a closer look at the attach points where they found cracks.
Four new spars rather than the two we originally thought. Projects have a way of changing scope as they progress.
After that bombshell, the welder suggested we move the fuselage up to his hangar before temperatures begin to fall.
We opened up the hangar and backed the truck in partway.
The restorer lifted the front end, and I got the tail without too much issue. The welder guided the front into the truck bed leaving the tail section hanging off the back.
For the short, slow trip mama’s Chief should be quite comfortable.
Opening the doors to bring the fuselage in, I saw some of the welder’s projects peeking out from the structure.
Inside the Welder’s Hangar
After getting the fuselage comfortable on sawhorses, the welder’s eyes began to twinkle talking about his projects.
In the rafters hung a Demoiselle fuselage while the unique tail and wings sat atop cupboards on the wall.
This early ultralight was designed in 1909 by Alberto Santos-Dumont, a contemporary of the Wright brothers from France.
The welder said he had a good time flying the airplane but maybe it was time for it to go to a new home.
The restorer mentioned seeing the airplane flying was different from any other airplane as the entire tail moves.
Tucked into the other side of the welder’s hangar from the Chief fuselage, was a Georgia’s special.
While this airplane has yet to fly, the plans have been around since the 1930s. The welder says it will take off at 55 mph, cruise at 55 mph, and land at 55 mph.
There’s not much left to be done before it’s ready for flight, wonder if we will be lucky enough to see it fly?!
Heading back to our hangar afterward, the restorer began to rattle off several directions he wanted to go in with the wings and improvements for the Cub and Chief hangar while we have the fuselage out of the corner.
Life, after all, is what happens while we are making plans.