The International Cessna^® 170 Association

98C’s rebuild wasn’t financially justifiable at the time (2014), but certainly was justifiable sentimentally, at least to me. That said, in today’s market I’m probably somewhat ahead.

cessna170bdriver wrote: ↑Wed Sep 25, 2024 2:27 am 98C’s rebuild wasn’t financially justifiable at the time (2014), but certainly was justifiable sentimentally, at least to me. That said, in today’s market I’m probably somewhat ahead.

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I would have loved to buy it back and rebuild it. Your plane looks amazing. Probably will end up a decision I wished would have made differently. But in the end I did what worked best for me. Thanks for sharing!

Miles would be a hard act to follow. He's the hero of "keeping 'em flying"!

cessna170bdriver wrote: ↑Wed Sep 25, 2024 2:27 am 98C’s rebuild wasn’t financially justifiable at the time (2014), but certainly was justifiable sentimentally, at least to me. That said, in today’s market I’m probably somewhat ahead.

IMG_1999.jpeg

That is freaking amazing! You did good!

I remember looking at Miles aircraft once it was put into a hangar. Someone asked whether it was rebuildable and I remember commenting that it could be rebuilt but at a cost that exceeded its value. Met Del while he was looking at the plane whilst holding up his chin with his hand. Took a big leap of faith to make it happen but Miles had the heart and Del the skill. The result the finished product is worth much more than the pre-accident machine.
I constantly look at salvage sites hoping to find something worth working on but working on a project often means less time to fly. Sounds like the owner had figured out what was more important to him for his situation.

Thanks for sharing your story. Terrible to wreck something that you had spent so much time on. Hopefully it was insured!

Question about the axles. Did you have hollow or solid aluminum axles? I've been debating replacing my solid aluminum axles for steel ones but... it seems silly since the ski axles are supposedly good enough. Your story may push me over the edge though.

For those looking to purchase new hollow steel axles. I just purchased a set from Air Power. They had the best price I could find ($301/each).

https://www.airpowerinc.com/1441003-1

Fishsticks wrote: ↑Wed Oct 09, 2024 4:21 pm Thanks for sharing your story. Terrible to wreck something that you had spent so much time on. Hopefully it was insured!

Question about the axles. Did you have hollow or solid aluminum axles? I've been debating replacing my solid aluminum axles for steel ones but... it seems silly since the ski axles are supposedly good enough. Your story may push me over the edge though.

Funny as I just removed the wheels on 82V and they are solid aluminum axles. Not an expert but believe they were what was originally used for 170’s with floats or skis. I could be wrong.

I think I will be changing these to hollow steel. I have 7 tires and plan on doing a wheel and brake set for 8.5’s…I think I’ll switch them to hollow steel as I am a bit gun shy with the aluminum axles.

But I think the solid axles are fine. To be honest the hollow aluminum were fine…they just narrowed the margin of error in my opinion. A margin that shouldn’t ever be used…but as I saw…it can enter that realm quickly. I want as much strength in the system as possible.

And thanks…was insured. Bit underinsured but it worked out fine.