Warbird Information Exchange

I recently bought a 1951 DHC-1 chipmunk. It's in very good condition but there's a few things that need some help. I want to get the cockpits into shape. About half of my instruments are functional. I need to get my DG's, attitude indicators and VSI's rebuilt. One of the VSI's works fine but the two small grub screws that hold the face to the body backed off and the face just spins around at random. I took the bezel off but the glass is apparently sealed to the unit so there's no easy to just put the screws back.

Any recommendations for shops that rebuild these old instruments?

Are there any modern replacements that look like the old instruments?

Thanks
Dave

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DHC-1

Talk to Pacific Southwest Instruments (PSI) in California. Specifically to Rick Fowler who does their vintage/warbird instruments. They're a bit pricey, but they do, hands down, the best work I've seen. Their number is 1 800 621 1736. Talk to Rick and tell him Taylor Stevenson sent you.

Here's the finished product they did with my instruments (Photo doesn't do it justice):




I've held NOS examples and their restored gauges next to each other and it's spot on. For a little extra, they even paint the needles etc with a luminescent clear coat that replicates the "glow in the dark" radium look perfectly.

I only have good things to say about them.

There are others out there who do great jobs also.

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Taylor Stevenson

Thanks for tip. I called and spoke to Rick. The first thing I need to do is determine if my instruments are radioactive. If they are, they can't be rebuilt so I'll need to get replacements. I just need to find time to get to the hanger at night.
Dave

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DHC-1

Take your gauges to the local Fire Department and ask them (bringing a pizza helps) if you could use their portable geiger counter (usually stowed on the firetruck) to see if the dials are radium coated. There was a point (1943/4ish?) that luminescent paint was introduced (partially) to gauge manufacturing. So therefore, the "hold the gauge in the dark trick" doesnt mean the gauge is 100% radium. You are more likely to come across radium dials though. I'd say 70% of the gauges I purchased for the L-5 had radium dials. Like everything else in Warbird restorations, its only money, time, and luck

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Taylor Stevenson

Try Keystone Instruments. I shipped some instruments, from Canada, to them. They will take care of the radioactive material, repaint with a similar colour, and overhaul the instrument.

http://www.keystoneinstruments.com/index.html

I've only had two instruments overhauled there, but their customer service was good.