Cessna UC-78 Restoration

[SaxMan]

Jack managed to acquire a number of NOS parts for the Bobcat's instrument panel, including these new in the box panel lamps:
DSC_0015 by onyxsax, on Flickr

The instrument panel is filling in. Jack has acquired all the remaining instruments, and again from New Old Stock:
DSC_0016 by onyxsax, on Flickr

View towards the tail showing the framework of the plane:
DSC_0022 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Relay box detail:
DSC_0025 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Cumulonimbus clouds starting to boil up, precursor to a line of severe thunderstorms. These storms cut our visit short:
DSC_0033 by onyxsax, on Flickr

[SaxMan]

Visit on 7/18/14. The main challenge as of late has been the complexity of the wiring in the Bobcat, and the wiring has to be completed before the plane can be covered and the wings mated to the fuselage (A test fit was done in the spring, and, yes, they do fit together).

Fuselage is out of the rotisserie. Dick studies schematics at the left:
DSC_0002 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Barry continues to work on the instrument panel:
DSC_0003 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Jim installed the rear shelf today:
DSC_0004 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Work begins on the left nacelle for engine installation:
DSC_0005 by onyxsax, on Flickr

[SaxMan]

Work continues on the right engine:
DSC_0006 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Instrument panel moves closer to completion:
DSC_0011 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Ok, so not really relevant to the thread, but I decided to make the trip from Damascus, MD to Fawn Grove, PA in my '69 Austin-Healey Sprite. It definitely made the ride a lot more fun and adventuresome, and the little Sprite made the trip without any squawks:
DSC_0016 by onyxsax, on Flickr

I built a 1/48 TBM model in the colors of the CAF Avenger that was restored here and displayed atop the microwave oven. Unfortunately, it came to an untimely end when a ceiling tile came down and smashed it to bits. Luckily, I have a second kit that is still unbuilt, so I probably need to get cracking on that!
DSC_0018 by onyxsax, on Flickr

[SaxMan]

Overhead view of the shop. Jack, Tiny and Gene are seated at the table:
DSC_0020 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Right side of the right engine:
DSC_0022 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Left engine awaits mounting:
DSC_0028 by onyxsax, on Flickr

[SpaceRanger1]

The plane was civilianized by Cessna after the war. It's possible that it never found a purchaser after being civilianized and was turned over to the Chicago Vocational School. According to Jack, the airframe has relatively few hours on it.

There also may be parts from 43-7555 in this plane, as the instrument panel had a tag "37555" on it. The "cap" for the cockpit, for instance was not original to this particular plane. (or maybe this was the plane's N number when it was civilianized?)

USAAF 43-7555 was a Cessna UC-78, manufacturer's serial no. 5075. It became NC50137, last owned by Television Associates Inc., Michigan City, IN. Its registration was canceled 23 May 1965 and its fate is unknown. FAA records mention instances of parts from one airplane being installed on another, but not in the case of either msn 5075 or the museum's airplane.

No Bobcat was registered N(C)37555.

[SaxMan]

I took a ride up to Fawn Grove on a slightly dreary day today. Steady progress continues to be made...

Fuselage is back in the rotisserie:
DSC_0004 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Hard to see from this angle, but the fuselage is beginning to be covered:
DSC_0005 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Barry working on the cockpit:
DSC_0009 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Frank working on the trim tab controls. I sure hope I am still as spry and am able to retain the skills that I have when I'm 90 years old like Frank!
DSC_0013 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Woodwork around the nose is nearing completion:
DSC_0014 by onyxsax, on Flickr

[SaxMan]

Barry & Dick discuss wiring:
DSC_0015 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Barry, Bill and Frank looking over the bottom side of the plane:
DSC_0019 by onyxsax, on Flickr

A better view of the canvas covering. It will be painted silver at a later date:
DSC_0023 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Instrument panel nearing completion:
DSC_0036a by onyxsax, on Flickr

Engines now mounted on both wings:
DSC_0007 by onyxsax, on Flickr

[Iclo]

Incredible work, thank for the pictures and news.

I wonder what is the average age of these gentlemen ? Impressive to see them still active and showing so much skills.

Regards

Iclo

[SpaceRanger1]

Incredible work, thank for the pictures and news.

I wonder what is the average age of these gentlemen ? Impressive to see them still active and showing so much skills.

Regards

Iclo

I'm sure they are at least as old as the airplane (72 years)! Old age and treachery triumphs over youth and skill every time (I'm 68)!

[Stony Jim]

Incredible work, thank for the pictures and news.

I wonder what is the average age of these gentlemen ? Impressive to see them still active and showing so much skills.

Regards

Iclo

I'm sure they are at least as old as the airplane (72 years)! Old age and treachery triumphs over youth and skill every time (I'm 68)!

I would say 78 to 80 knowing the age of some of us. I am the youngest at 66, Frank the oldest at 90, the rest 70 t0 80 plus.

Jack, the owner is 89.

[SaxMan]

I visited again back on November 14th...sorry I'm a little slow in getting these posted. The wiring continues to be keeping the rate of progress slow, but steady.

Bill working up near the nose of the plane:
DSC_0002 by onyxsax, on Flickr

In the rotisserie, cocked at a 45 degree angle:
DSC_0004 by onyxsax, on Flickr

(L to R): Dick, Tiny, Jack and Barry discussing the next step with wiring to the motor
DSC_0006 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Barry & Gene discussing wiring connections. Those are generators sitting on the cart:
DSC_0010 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Jack and Tiny making heads or tails out of the wiring from a junction box:
DSC_0016 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Gene looking up a part on the microfilm reader. Have you ever seen one of these (other than in a library) recently?
DSC_0018 by onyxsax, on Flickr

[SaxMan]

This door stop came off the most famous Cessna Bobcat of them all: the Songbird from the TV show "Sky King". It will be incorporated into this restoration:
DSC_0019 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Detail of the throttle quadrant:
DSC_0021 by onyxsax, on Flickr

The gang gathered around the table. Truly a great bunch of people!
DSC_0025 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Bill working on the rudder cable while Dick works on the wiring to the flap motor:
DSC_0031 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Bob working on the doorframe. He's filled several of the tack holes with toothpicks and is now trimming the toothpicks down:
DSC_0033 by onyxsax, on Flickr

Frank showing his cousin (background) the instrument panel:
DSC_0036 by onyxsax, on Flickr

[Zac Yates]

Fairly sure I've said it before, but with every update I'm taken aback by the quality of the craftsmanship on show here. What a beautiful project.

[L-4Pilot]

There are dozens of factory photos of the aircraft being built. They are from the Life Magazine archives available for personal use not commercial. I have some in my photo bucket files here and have many more not uploaded there.

http://s1141.photobucket.com/user/L-4Pi ... t=3&page=1

[SaxMan]

Good stuff, L-4...thank you!