The International Cessna^® 170 Association

Well Campers, I've embarked on my reburb./restoration of N8082A. She's in the shop right now for annual and some initial stuff. I went in with intention of reworking the panel back to the original layout, but (of course) we encountered some problems with the panel. Basically, it has been sufficiently cut up, that it makes more sense to take it all out and install a new one. Fortunately for me, I just happen to have an original panel in my pile-o-stuff.

So, we are off to the races, as it were. We'll be removing the entire panel, sending all the panel parts, overlays, and controls out for painting. Then reinstall, and get the plane to the paint shop for the rest. Oh yeah, Williams Airmotive is rebuilding my control surfaces too. Things sure are busy right now

For those who may be interested, I've put together a website of the refurb. I've hosted it via my EAA Chapter website.

ww.xxxxxxxxxxxxeaa701.org/projc170-main.html

Site has been moved to:

http://www.damowry.com/projc170-main.html

You don't happen to have another original panel in that pile of stuff do you? I just upgraded radios and a couple of instruments and my old panel is looking pretty bad. Does anyone have any suggestions where I could find a panel?

Nice website. My 170 also spents it's entire life in the northeast, it was based in northern N.Y since new, on and off floats for the first 20 years. AL

I don't, but it just so happens I was talking to Specialty Aircraft (salvage yard) last Friday and they DO have one. I have a pic of it at work I can email you if you like. Send me an email or PM and I'll give you the details, pricing, and contact info.

Just an update for those who might be interested. After rebuilding the control surfaces, a complete panel rebuild back to the original layout, and a whole bunch of "oh, by the way" stuff, N8082A should be out of the shop this weekend and off to the paint shop sometime mid-week. I had the panel and overlays painted before we installed it and man, does it look great! The rest of the plane still looks lousy, but boy, what a panel!

For those who have considered ordering a new plexi panel from Joy Warren (c120-140 club) - it's the best $55 I spent on the plane. It looks superb!

Another 4-5 weeks or so, and she should be back in the air! New pics should be on my website in a week or so.

Well, she's done! Now I just have to get up there and pick it up. I've posted a couple pics the paint shop sent me on my website, if anyone's interested.

http://www.eaa701.org/projc170-2004pics04.html

She looks great, Doug! You got your project done in record time, too--congratulations!

Eric

Thanks Eric. I'll post a more complete set of pics when I get her back. Can't wait to see her in person...

I picked it up yesterday and WOW! Just gorgeous! I still have radios to install and a couple odds and ends to do and it's completely done.

Woohoo!

Oh yeah, I now have the infamous door latch spring problem to deal with since one let go while at the paint shop. Oh joy.

I'm getting the film developed from the paint shop. I'll post those pics on my website when I get then scanned in a week or so.

Check the Cessna 120/140 Club website. There's a page detailing a jig to make the door latch spring out of piano wire. It's easy to make the jig, and easy (after a couple practice runs) to make the spring too. I just puit one of my homemade springs in the other day.
Tip: the jig instructions say to use 040-050" wire. I used 032, the heavier stuff is too hard to form the tight curls with. 032 seems to work fine re: spring tension.

Eric

Thanks Eric.. I'll check it out.

Or, I could just ask you to make me a couple... I'll ship you a six pack. Whaddya say?

Hi Doug, your airplane turned out great!!! I'm getting jealous of non-polished airplanes... I know George has said no 170 ever left the factory fully painted, but in my collection of old aviation magazines I've seen at least two 170s bearing factory schemes with full paint. One was on the cover of Skyways magazine, c.a. 1950.

Now go fly! Russ Farris

Thanks Russ. Those big N#s are for you