54170b wrote:Finally put the tail on the old bird, for the first time in 39 years!
THAT...deserves a place in the Calendar!
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention. An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
So, N5448C has had a rough life. It has spent most of its life in the lower 48 but subjected to many a winter in Alaska and Canada. In 1999 she was annualed and left to sit until 2003. In 2005 she was annualed again, extensively, parked and never seen in the sky again. Very sad. In 2012 some dingbat with a screw loose observed her day after day after day until his heart could take no more. He adopted "Tracer" from a geologist lady from Seattle and began the labor of love - bringing her back to life. Upon initial inspection she looked good. Real good. But after pulling off cylinder number 3 it was discovered she had a crack in her main journal and a cracked piston. Off to DivCo with the block and while we're at it, let's strip her down and really commit to some cost. Whoa there! The idea is to get her airborne...not outfit her with an IO360 or a constant speed prop. That will all come in due time. Shared here are some photos of how she is/was. Hopefully the future photos will show some improvement. If not, shame on me and I hope you all will be decent enough to kick me in the arse.
Stay tuned. Progress is inevitable.
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(You epitomize the club motto! I like how you think!)
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention. An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
Maybe I should start a new thread to document the pains and gains of "restoring" a classic bird. I use quotes to remind all that the end result, in this round and decade, will enable Tracer to fly again. There will be some cosmetic enhancements, of course, but I am limited to making her airworthy. So far I have uncovered a number of items that are relevant to all old planes, and I think other members will definitely benefit from the findings.
George, if I were Paul Allen I would be a philanthropist focusing on getting all the ghosts off the tarmac. In our area up in the NW there are a number of airfields with some true classics tied down, covered with moss, that will never move. Next to N5448C are a great Cherokee Six, a 175, an early 210 with radar and all the bells and whistles, a '54 Bonanza...all needing a home and slowly reaching the point of no return. Too bad.
Looking good Mike...
Was hoping to camp beside you again this last Arlington but unfortunately the Mrs was not feeling well on the trip back from Longmont. On the way home we actually flew from Nampa, over the centre of Prosser airfield, looks like a great place to visit. Hope to meet up again this year.
spduffee wrote:...George, if I were Paul Allen I would be a philanthropist focusing on getting all the ghosts off the tarmac. In our area up in the NW there are a number of airfields with some true classics tied down, covered with moss, that will never move. Next to N5448C are a great Cherokee Six, a 175, an early 210 with radar and all the bells and whistles, a '54 Bonanza...all needing a home and slowly reaching the point of no return. Too bad.
I think it's common that old cowboys, approaching their fall years, are in denial and simply hate the thought of parting with Old Paint, neglected out in the pasture, needful of attention. I know of several such cases of airplanes that need new, enthusiastic owners but insted, are left to slowly melt away by old owners reluctant to make the admission.
It's theirs, tho' I wish they'd see the inevitable future of their neglect, and give someone else a happy project and perhaps save their old ride.
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention. An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
Here's some photos of our 170A flying our boys to grandma's house. The airport (S86) is about 30 miles NE of Seattle. http://airnav.com/airport/S86. It's faster to drive the car, but not as much fun.
Last edited by mekstrand on Sat Mar 09, 2013 3:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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