About to do another engine test run. Fairings off.
Catalina Project
Although it has taken 10+ years, I am now making good progress on my Avid Catalina project. The wings are done with one to cover yet. All tail feathers are covered. The engine, prop and instrument senders have been bought, mounted and tested. The remainder of the project entails cleaning up the fuselage and installing instruments and fuselage covering.
Wish me luck to finish it in 2005.
Wish me luck to finish it in 2005.
How does it look!
Finally putting cloth on fuse.
After 8 months of restoring and finish work on the fuse, getting gear suspension built and prefitting my instruments into panel, lots of part painting, I am finally putting cloth onto the fuse! I had to use the wing cloth as I was shorted a good bit of cloth, but that will be easy enough to replace.
A rather dark photo of the ready to bring home Catalina Go-Cart!
Catalina Go-Cart ready for testing
Although I didn't finish it in 2005, I did get the fuselage finshed and plan to bring it home in the next few days to add the already fitted avionics and instrument systems.I have the left wing to cover and dope before I can get it inspected and such. Maybe it will fly in 2006!
Catalina with Isobel on the trailer ready to head home after 2 years away.
Rolling home
I managed to get the Catalina fuselage home okay although some tire straps got loose. All is home except the 2 wings, cloth and covering supplies.
It is a bit dusty but fit okay!
Added a nearly finished wing.
Here on Father's Day, we (John, wife and daughter) have added the right wing and plan to get the wiring terminated and tested and install the flapperon and trim the turtledeck for the flapperon rod. The wing will need removed and disassembled for final doping with retarder.
Late stitched wing.
Rib stitching.
Well this has been a two month delay but worth it.
Fits in hangar. Notice the Rally's tail is tied up to allow for Catalina to fit!
Ready for Roll Out!
Here is the Catalina before I pulled it out to wash it. I had installed all the fairings and finished the canopy seals, so I decided to wash it to be less embarrassed when the the Altimeter checks were done in the morning!
She's pointing to them!
Here you can see the cast iron pipe clamps that hold up the bottom of the shrouds.
Engine and fuse done!
Had Isobel pose to point out the final item I needed to build prior to final cockpit tidying and labeling. The cooling plenums!
John Taylor provided me with this shot!
First ground taxi tests
I got the plane to Spinks (FWS) early one Saturday, but it took forever to get started and the winds came up. I got some taxiing in only to find out how poor it taxis on hard surface. Wheels out of round and suspension soft. I found the radio to work OK.
The day was nice. Still have fairings to install.
Final panel view.
Isobel taxiied with me.
Spinks airshow
These are prior to taxi.
Slightly different angle.
Great morning lighting!
Flew to work
Finally a close shot of the plane flying. First ever with the gear down as others have the gear up for water landings.
