Cessna UC-78 Restoration

[SaxMan]

With work on the TBM Avenger wrapping up in Hagerstown, MD, Jack Kosko's crew in Fawn Grove, PA is now onto their next project: Cessna UC-78 43-7523 (I think), c/n 5043.

In the jig with Bill & Jim working on the fuselage:

DSC_0002 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Another view of the fuselage in the jig:

DSC_0004 by onyxsax, on Flickr

There's definitely a lot more room in the hangar with this bird compared to the Avenger:

DSC_0008 by onyxsax, on Flickr

The wings were restored prior to the most recent Avenger restoration and they have been stored in the hangar like this:

DSC_0009 by onyxsax, on Flickr

What will eventually be the cockpit:

DSC_0013 by onyxsax, on Flickr

The data plate. It's located on the door frame, just like a car (lol):

DSC_0016 by onyxsax, on Flickr

[SaxMan]

Head on view of the aircraft in the jig. Tiny fabricated the jig with the multiple stops so it can be locked in at virtually any angle:

DSC_0025 by onyxsax, on Flickr

View inside the fuselage looking aft:

DSC_0027 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Instrument panel awaiting restoration:

DSC_0030 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Control wheels set aside for now:

DSC_0032 by onyxsax, on Flickr

The Fawn Grove "regulars" at work. Jack Kosko is in the beige sweater, second from left:

DSC_0039 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Bill preparing a surface for welding a missing tab

DSC_0042 by onyxsax, on Flickr

[SaxMan]

Jim working with the band saw:

DSC_0043 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Frank working on one of the control line pulleys. I sure hope I have as much energy as he does at 88 years old!

DSC_0044 by onyxsax, on Flickr

This plate was on top of the fuselage. This was not on the previous UC-78 that the crew restored for MAAM. Anyone have an idea what was attached to it? We think this would have been the base for a D/F "football".

DSC_0046 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Fuse block detail. I really like the art-deco font on the block:

DSC_0050 by onyxsax, on Flickr

This is what she'll eventually look like (although this is a different Bobcat)

DSC_0020 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Finally, on a sad note. Hershey the hangar dog passed last month. He was a fixture at the hangar almost from the beginning. They estimate that he was between 14 and 16 years old. Hershey was a true "farm dog", and lived a very happy and long life. He is definitely missed.

DSC_0029 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Stay tuned to this thread for more updates!

[TAdan]

Wow, this crew does not waste any time at all! The Bobcat is a very cool warbird, glad to see one being restored.

[The Inspector]

'Out of the blue of the Western Skies comes........' There are a couple T-50's in civvie schemes in the Western Washington /British Columbia region. Neat airplane!

[Fouga23]

Very cool aircraft! Thanks for sharing

[JohnB]

It's been years since I've seen one.
They used to be common (albeit a bit before my time), back in the 70s there was a red/white one that used to be here in Eastern Washington. Isaw it at a couple of shows and finally at an out of the way airfield (Herrington or the Palouse region). Wonder where it went?

There are a couple T-50's in civvie schemes in the Western Washington /British Columbia region. Neat airplane!

Hopefully one will come to the biennial Biplane Fly-In at Felts Field on July 20...the week before Oshkosh.

[L-4Pilot]

Great photos really enjoyed them.

[gary1954]

This plate was on top of the fuselage. This was not on the previous UC-78 that the crew restored for MAAM. Anyone have an idea what was attached to it? We think this would have been the base for a D/F "football".

I was also thinking an antenna mount

[Stony Jim]

Great pics Really enjoyed them, Saxman

[RobC]

Wow, no rest for the wicked, eh Saxman? Is this going to be a CAF bird?

[SaxMan]

Wow, no rest for the wicked, eh Saxman? Is this going to be a CAF bird?

With the immediate jump off into the next project, Jack probably put it best when he said "What else could a group of old men do?" Jack had acquired this project prior to the CAF Avenger. Work on it put it aside when work began in earnest on the Avenger. Some small detail work was resumed on the plane during the latter stages of the Avenger restoration. Once the Avenger was moved out, it was simply a matter of moving the fuselage from one building to another to get things going again.

Right now, Jack owns this plane/project outright. I'm pretty certain he will donate it to an organization once it is complete, as he did with his first Avenger restoration to MAAM. My guess is that the CAF National Capital Squadron could be the likely beneficiary at this point, but nothing is set in stone.

[Cvairwerks]

This plate was on top of the fuselage. This was not on the previous UC-78 that the crew restored for MAAM. Anyone have an idea what was attached to it? We think this would have been the base for a D/F "football".

I was also thinking an antenna mount

Probably for a newer style ADF antenna. The football mouint has a footprint of about 6 x 10 inches and all three connectors are concentrated in one area. I can shoot you a pic of the bottom of mine when I get home in the morning if you need it.

[Fleet16b]

FYI
I have at least 4 maybe five fuel tanks that I am told are from Bobcats
if your looking for any.

[hang the expense]

The hole pattern sure looks to be right for the football.I am building the adf mount for a B-17F model now and it sure looks the same.What is the spacing between the screw holes on the plate?