Warbird Information Exchange

She already has an n number assigned and is in the experimental catagory..does that change?

what do you think about the fiberglass?? I thought that it would closely mimic the same characteristics as fabric,yet be 3 times the lifespan. What thickness of aluminum do you think would work?? Are you an A&P by any chance?? thanks

If you decide to go with fabric try the Airtex process. Half the work of Stits or dope and bulletproof when finished. My friends AG Cat was done 5 years ago and the leading edges of the stab are still perfect. Don

Ironwolf,
I seem to recall that somebody did metalize an AN-2 and I think it might have been Carl Hayes. If so, his was painted Cub Yellow with a black stripe and I think he sold it to a CAF group in Texas.

My father owns two AN-2s, a 1971 and a 1991 model. I've been very interested in Soviet aircraft since the mid 1990s so I've managed to talk him into both the AN-2s, two Yak-52s, and a 1932 Sh-2 Shavrov amphibian. Of course I should point out that I am in no way an expert on AN-2s or anything else for that matter. I'll put my opinion out here but remember, advice is usually worth what you pay for it. Mine is probably worth less.

I do not know anything about the condition of your AH-2 or your situation but I can guess that you are not normal. Normal people do not own AN-2s and people who own more than one are really strange. A good rule to follow is: Never approach a bull from the front, a mule from the rear, or an AN-2 owner from any direction.

I would not do it. For one thing, I suspect it will be more work than you think. I'm not sure how it will impact the re-sale value of the plane. You might be turning it into an "Acme Belchfire" that nobody will want. The cost to re-cover an AN-2 is probably more than the value of the plane but you knew that before you purchased it right? Last time I checked, the metal strips that hold the fabric onto the ribs are still available so even if you needed all new ones, and you probably do not, they can be purchased. As you may know, the FAA hates AN-2s, at least the HQ in Washington DC does and they have made it very clear to the regional offices that AN-2s are to be treated like giant rats. An AN-2 with metalized wings might be treated like a giant rat with the plague virus.

Can you keep your AN-2 inside? If not, then I understand your primary reason to metalize it but I still would not do it. Modern crop duster fabric just about stops bullets and think of all the beer you will get to drink while you and all your friends (providing you still have any now that you own an AN-2) re-cover the wings and tail group. Peck Aeroplane Restoration has a hangar here in St. Louis that is equiped to remove and replace wings on large biplanes. Maybe he can get you an estimate on the costs. Send me a PM or an email at astixjr@earthlink.net with some information about your AN-2 and it's history. I would love to see some photos. Good luck, Albert Stix Jr.

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Albert Stix Jr.
"Work is the curse of the drinking class"

Am I missing something here regarding the fiberglass? Would you not have to skin the wings with plywood or something before you could glass them? I was not aware you could glass over an open structure. Unless we are talking about skinning the wing with pre-made glass skins or something.

Thanks for all the input guys!! First to say that I am certified(insane) and I do have the means(money and time) to get the wings done.It only costs about 10k for the wings to be covered in Ceconite plus 3500 to get them here...but why would you? Russian labor was free during soviet times so laying up fabric was not really a design issue..it was a cheap issue.My gripe is that this plane will live like an outside dog..it is a brute of a plane,designed for barbaric conditions..so why fag it up with cloth? Yes I have seen duct tape queens flying around Lithuania perfectly fine..but I want to do a one time,great finish product reskin.The old F.artsA.A. certainly are anal about an2's but only because these guys can't get real jobs..this plane always has been one of the safest planes ever made and 95% of the tiny percentage of crashes this type aircraft had were related to either icy conditions or the poor slobs running out of fuel..for those of you that don't know it...EVERY Russian can tell you how many km/l his car gets TO THE 10th place! If you were paying4 bucks a gallon,you would too and during soviet time it was a rare privlege to even own a car,let alone some crappy Volga...so goes the same for aircraft...less fuel in the plane means more fuel in the soldiers car... same as cement at Cernoble.
Some where along the line comon sense plays a role..those of us that have wierd aircraft are already "out of the box" thinkers and I will find a solution...I guess that some crop dusters have already done this and are flying normally.

HI FOR A EXCELLENT FABRIC JOB AT A REASONABLE RATE CONTACT DAN WHITE AT H.O. AIRCRAFT 763 784 0490 THESE FOLKS ARE REAL ARTIST.METALIZING IS A BIG JOB,ADDS ALLOT OF WEIGHT AND CAN WEEKEN THE AIR FRAME IF NOT DONE CORRECTLY.FIBERGLASS WILL BREAK DOWN WITH HIGH UV EXPOSURE,ITS HEAVIER THAN YOU MAY THINK AND GETTING IT APPROVE MAYBE SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.A GOOD FABRIC JOB WITH REASONABLE CARE SHOULD LAST 25 PLUS YEARS THANKS MIKE

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IF YOU CAN FIND IT WE CAN FIX IT