Scudrunners

The feeling is still new, and exciting.

The wife lets me play in the hangar, only after the other chores are done…

Today she went on a girls spa day, perfect hangar day for me!

Pulled the spar strap. Had to load up 400# on either wing to relieve the tension: Next, had to pull off the control surfaces. Thankfully the previous guy had a bee in his bonnet and had already taken off the left aileron. The right was a bitch. Lastly, the left flap came off. I called it quits. It was over 30*C all day. Time for a beer.

This is so awesome, if I ever get a shop you won't find me anywhere else except flying.

Some more shit got done today!
https://youtube.com/shorts/VSHhStVUQD8

Progress!

Pulled the tail off this morning.

^my above mentioned buddy, who’s beer I drink.

Finding much hidden damage / corrosion / cracking?

Not yet.
But there is literally a ton of grease/mud/slop in places that should have been protected by skirts or shrouds.

There is a skiff of corrosion in the tail. Nothing a little corrosion -X can’t fix.

Moving the wings on a jig I built. Getting ready to transport it.
https://youtu.be/LXN_wUIKZkM

I am sure you're going to strip all the old paint off, down to bare metal.

Looking forward to seeing your paint scheme! There are so many historical choices ...

I would go "Freight Dog Patina" ... j/k



You could go ex-mil. You could go airlines. Stay classy, San Diego!

Because I like pain, I would go with polished with just a little color trim and try to stay away from the salt.



Weighs less, too. As long as you're not through the Alclad.

A buddy of mine had a polished metal Beech 18. He was not suffering for the ready and had people to keep the metal shiny. He had a proper corporate airplane but sometimes I flew the Beech on short trips for him.

I still remember once pulling up to a YVR FBO on a beautiful clear evening with the airplane shining in the last of the light. The ramp was full of high end corporate tin but every head in the FBO lounge turned when I spun the Beech in a graceful pirouette to line up the passenger door exactly even with the FBO door.

A true classic.

Polished Aluminum:
This is her sister 140, mine is 139…