We're almost done! Update on L-5G... Pics Added!
Sat Aug 09, 2008 11:21 pm
Well, it has been a while since I last updated the community on my Stinson L-5G Sentinel 45-35050 project so here goes!
As some of you know, we missed OSH 08 due to our final O.D. coat of paint coming out way too glossy. We could have cut corners to get there, but I'd rather it be done right the first time.
I'm trying to be as close to original as possible, so any and all comments, suggestions etc are more than welcome!
This photo was taken tonight after we put the wings on the aircraft. Notice the Forrest green scallop camo scheme on the wings and tail. This design was implemented in hopes of making the plane indistinguishable from its surroundings. We replicated this scheme to EXACT factory spec using original blueprints. All O.D. L-5's came out of the factory with this camo.
Tail camo. Notice the AN-104 antenna sticking out of the top of the fuselage. This was used with the SCR-274N radio command set made by American Radio Company (ARC-5).
Side view of the tail. We still have to paint the S/N and all stencils.
Side view of the fuselage. The cowlings are done and the 1st Cav emblem has been painted on them, but all of you who have ever installed an L-5 cowling know that they don't go on easily, so we are waiting to put them on until we're ready to fly (so they don't get scratched).
Firewall / Engine... I love the way the yellow brake fluid reservoir tank stands out against the green.
Doors open ready for a patient.
Notice folding litter deck with bare metal top. It was left bare metal to make the blood easier to wipe off... Morbid, but understandable. Look at that panel peeking out of the front seat!
Left and Middle sections of the panel, restored to original spec. All guages were O/H'd and painted to match... Of course we can no longer use radium paint, but to get the "Glow-in-the-dark" effect, we had them use an illuminescent (spelling?) paint.
Right side of panel. Notice the original WWII compass correction card.
My all-time favorite placard... It's funny because you know someone did this at some point to make them put the placard in the a/c!
Under the panel. You can see the main junction box to the left, the black battery mount in front, new brake lines below, fuel selector to the right, and the original boot-cowl data plate and rigging data decal off the far right.
Inside of the Main Junction Box. All NOS equipment was used.
The NOS voltage regulator set-up.
Main Switch box, restored to spec. Notice the cloth wiring and the s/n and inspection stamps.
Here is an example of the aircraft wiring. We had all of our modern wiring and every aircraft wire covered in original style cream colored fabric and we stamped EVERY WIRE with it's accurate schematic code.
Here's the folding litter deck as of now. We still have some things to add to it, but the paint on the wood came out wonderfully!
This is the original style shade that can be pulled to cover the greenhouse glass to keep the sun out of a litter patient's eyes.
Radio racks minus the radios. The silver ring is the mount for the K-20 Arial Camera.
NOS radio set installed. Notice the ceramic insulation beads and the phenolic tube insulation. Done per mil-spec.
We had to have the aluminum carb intake box made from scratch... it looks better than the original!
Well, that's it for now. I hope you've enjoyed. I hope to see you all at my airplanes first airshow at the Commemorative Air Force AIRSHO in Midland, TX the weekend of Sept. 21st...
As some of you know, we missed OSH 08 due to our final O.D. coat of paint coming out way too glossy. We could have cut corners to get there, but I'd rather it be done right the first time.
I'm trying to be as close to original as possible, so any and all comments, suggestions etc are more than welcome!
This photo was taken tonight after we put the wings on the aircraft. Notice the Forrest green scallop camo scheme on the wings and tail. This design was implemented in hopes of making the plane indistinguishable from its surroundings. We replicated this scheme to EXACT factory spec using original blueprints. All O.D. L-5's came out of the factory with this camo.
Tail camo. Notice the AN-104 antenna sticking out of the top of the fuselage. This was used with the SCR-274N radio command set made by American Radio Company (ARC-5).
Side view of the tail. We still have to paint the S/N and all stencils.
Side view of the fuselage. The cowlings are done and the 1st Cav emblem has been painted on them, but all of you who have ever installed an L-5 cowling know that they don't go on easily, so we are waiting to put them on until we're ready to fly (so they don't get scratched).
Firewall / Engine... I love the way the yellow brake fluid reservoir tank stands out against the green.
Doors open ready for a patient.
Notice folding litter deck with bare metal top. It was left bare metal to make the blood easier to wipe off... Morbid, but understandable. Look at that panel peeking out of the front seat!
Left and Middle sections of the panel, restored to original spec. All guages were O/H'd and painted to match... Of course we can no longer use radium paint, but to get the "Glow-in-the-dark" effect, we had them use an illuminescent (spelling?) paint.
Right side of panel. Notice the original WWII compass correction card.
My all-time favorite placard... It's funny because you know someone did this at some point to make them put the placard in the a/c!
Under the panel. You can see the main junction box to the left, the black battery mount in front, new brake lines below, fuel selector to the right, and the original boot-cowl data plate and rigging data decal off the far right.
Inside of the Main Junction Box. All NOS equipment was used.
The NOS voltage regulator set-up.
Main Switch box, restored to spec. Notice the cloth wiring and the s/n and inspection stamps.
Here is an example of the aircraft wiring. We had all of our modern wiring and every aircraft wire covered in original style cream colored fabric and we stamped EVERY WIRE with it's accurate schematic code.
Here's the folding litter deck as of now. We still have some things to add to it, but the paint on the wood came out wonderfully!
This is the original style shade that can be pulled to cover the greenhouse glass to keep the sun out of a litter patient's eyes.
Radio racks minus the radios. The silver ring is the mount for the K-20 Arial Camera.
NOS radio set installed. Notice the ceramic insulation beads and the phenolic tube insulation. Done per mil-spec.
We had to have the aluminum carb intake box made from scratch... it looks better than the original!
Well, that's it for now. I hope you've enjoyed. I hope to see you all at my airplanes first airshow at the Commemorative Air Force AIRSHO in Midland, TX the weekend of Sept. 21st...
Last edited by Taylor Stevenson on Mon Sep 15, 2008 2:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Sun Aug 10, 2008 12:02 am
Awesome job there Taylor. I bet judges will love it.
Les
Les
Sun Aug 10, 2008 12:38 am
Beautiful.
Ryan
Ryan
Sun Aug 10, 2008 12:52 am
Absolutely first rate from front to back! EXCELLENT JOB and beautiful. attentive of the teeny details Give everyone including yourself a huge pat on the back for a great job well done!!!!!!
Sun Aug 10, 2008 3:53 am
Wow, so Taylor's been taking lessons from Paul Allen's restoration team!
Nice job, and attention to detail! I'm sure it will be an award winner! It's nice to see someone restore an L-5 "right".
Nice job, and attention to detail! I'm sure it will be an award winner! It's nice to see someone restore an L-5 "right".
Sun Aug 10, 2008 7:36 am
Which airframe did Lanny start with on the L-5? Any before pictures? Lanny going to retire now, he probably don't have more than about 12 projects to work on now.
Sun Aug 10, 2008 7:37 am
The glass is too shiney 
Great job, can't wait to see it. When do you think it will fly and when do you get your checkout?
Great job, can't wait to see it. When do you think it will fly and when do you get your checkout?
Sun Aug 10, 2008 8:30 am
SNAP! 
That thing is cool! Great job.
That thing is cool! Great job.
Sun Aug 10, 2008 9:10 am
Man!!!!! That is one good looking L-5!!!!!! Taylor, you and everyone involved should be proud. The attention to detail ia amazing! Congrats again!!!!!
That is one good looking L-5!!!!!! Taylor, you and everyone involved should be proud. The attention to detail ia amazing! Congrats again!!!!!
Sun Aug 10, 2008 9:16 am
Obergrafeter-
Haha I got my L-5G project from a friend and Lanny agreed to do the restoration. He's got more projects than he knows what to do with! Just off the top of my head he's got an L-5G, L-5, L-5C, L-5B, AT-6F, BT-13, and an L-3. He and our friends at Cowtown Aerocrafters have done an excellent job!
Doug-
Well, if we can find the Hayes D3-479 wheel rims and we need to get some control cables redone (never use Broadies Aircraft in Ft. Worth) we hope to be flying in a week or two. We plan to run the engine for the first time this week so everyone cross your fingers! I leave for Vanderbilt in 4 days so Lanny and Dad will continue to work at a less feverish pace... I've got about 7 hours in Mark Todd's L-5 and I need around 10 for insurance purposes. I plan to be done before I leave.
Thanks for all of the kind words everyone. It's been a joy to work on, even the 14 hour 103 degree days were fun (well maybe not fun, but enjoyable
)!
Haha I got my L-5G project from a friend and Lanny agreed to do the restoration. He's got more projects than he knows what to do with!
Just off the top of my head he's got an L-5G, L-5, L-5C, L-5B, AT-6F, BT-13, and an L-3. He and our friends at Cowtown Aerocrafters have done an excellent job!
Doug-
Well, if we can find the Hayes D3-479 wheel rims and we need to get some control cables redone (never use Broadies Aircraft in Ft. Worth) we hope to be flying in a week or two. We plan to run the engine for the first time this week so everyone cross your fingers! I leave for Vanderbilt in 4 days so Lanny and Dad will continue to work at a less feverish pace... I've got about 7 hours in Mark Todd's L-5 and I need around 10 for insurance purposes. I plan to be done before I leave.
Thanks for all of the kind words everyone. It's been a joy to work on, even the 14 hour 103 degree days were fun (well maybe not fun, but enjoyable
)!
Sun Aug 10, 2008 9:24 am
That is a great looking restoration man. Our wing of the CAF has an L-5 as well. I think that they are just cool. Great job man.
Sun Aug 10, 2008 10:52 am
Very impressive.
Sun Aug 10, 2008 11:43 am
Taylor, just in case you didn't get my message the other day, there are none of the wheels you're looking for here, but I'll take a look at the Stinson at Austin Acres when I get home.
Gary
Gary
Sun Aug 10, 2008 12:52 pm
Taylor.....very very nice. Y'all are doing a wonderful job !!!! Wish I could see in person......oh that's right I can at AIRSHO.....can't wait 
I flew over Propwash yesterday during my test flying....wish I had known y'all were there.....would have dipped down for a break and a sip of water. Sure has been hot up in this area in recent weeks
Next time I break the plane...hope it's during the winter.....LOL
I flew over Propwash yesterday during my test flying....wish I had known y'all were there.....would have dipped down for a break and a sip of water. Sure has been hot up in this area in recent weeks
Next time I break the plane...hope it's during the winter.....LOL
Sun Aug 10, 2008 1:17 pm
Taylor,
It looks great, you should be proud.
On your picture of the carb and airbox, I noticed 1 problem, Please install a large area washer under the head of the bolt on the throttle. Reason being, if the bearing fails, the washer will prevent the control from becoming dissconnected. It is not original, but it is common sence.
It looks great, you should be proud.
On your picture of the carb and airbox, I noticed 1 problem, Please install a large area washer under the head of the bolt on the throttle. Reason being, if the bearing fails, the washer will prevent the control from becoming dissconnected. It is not original, but it is common sence.