Pilot 40% 330 Recover and Build

[stangflyer]

Inquiring minds MUST know!

Ok... I'll let the cat outta the bag. The story goes something like this. I say something because I'm old and over worked and... not enough red heads. I may forget a detail or two.

So last night I started sanding on the 330 cowl. It didn't take me no time at all to realize...sanding sucks. Profusely. So I journey four blocks to my awesome son @Shayne Epley house. He's a lot more patient with ten times the perserverence than yours truly. I wanted his advice as he has done lots of paint work on planes while in the Airforce. I can be quite tenacious, but this sanding is for the birds. Well what do you think he did? Took the cowl from me and went to work on it. Heck in minutes he had more accomplished than I could have. So get to the point Rob! We got to talking about this and about that and before you know it, it was decided he would do all the sanding and all the necessary pre-prep work and...(surprise)...he is even going to modify the air openings in the cowl to a more appropriate size to keep that red headed beast happy with lots of cool air. Oh, we're not done yet. He is even going to split the cowl for me. He has done such an awesome job with so many of his own projects I would be a fools fool to turn him down. This is just one more example of how much he shows me what an awesome son he is. It's not like he has extra time for anything let alone my belly aching over sanding and splitting a cowl. Anyway, public thank you to my son for taking on my tasks I don't want to do. Lol.

The cowl should be split and ready for primer tomorrow or Sunday. Photos to come gents.

 

[Snoopy1]

You owe him big time. To have it sanded down, modified and split and done by today or Sunday he working on it all night. To split a cowl and get all the epoxy laid up to fit the two halves together takes some time to setup and for the epoxy to cure then sand it and prime the hole cowl.

 

[stangflyer]

You owe him big time. To have it sanded down, modified and split and done by today or Sunday he working on it all night. To split a cowl and get all the epoxy laid up to fit the two halves together takes some time to setup and for the epoxy to cure then sand it and prime the hole cowl.

Oh you can trust and believe he will handsomely be rewarded and compensated.

 

[stangflyer]

So I think it is only proper and fitting my son explain the steps he has done to mark and split my cowl for the 330, do not you all agree? He has done an amazing job so far. He should be splitting it tomorrow. But for now a couple of quick pics of his progress.





Can't wait to see it split. And then the painting.

 

[stangflyer]

Hey everyone. Been a few days since my last update and since I have a little steam left, I will try to bring you all up to speed. My son worked day after day (as time permitted) to get that cowl for the 330 sanded and split. He was able to get it all pretty much primer ready this after noon. Personally, I think it came out superbly. I sure would not have had the patience to do what he did. There are a couple of things I want to do to the cowl before I shoot primer. But before we get to that, lets get a little something else outta the way shall we?

First, I finished up the sparkle plug wire retainers...


I also opened up the remainder of holes in the fuse for the stab bolts an the canopy retaining bolts...


I also found some time to final cut the spinners I have selected for this plane. I had two carbon fiber spinners and thankfully they both fit the lights aluminum back plate most perfectly...I was not certain which one I wanted to use. But after doing some research, the full scale 330's use a spinner not too unlike an Ultimate. So...the longer of the two will be the one I use.


I was so excited to get home from work today to find my graphix package from B & E had arrived today. Wee haa! Look at these babies.


It is so hard to imagine what the plane will look like once they are applied. I was hoping it would look good, but holy smokes I was not expecting this....


I think this is by far the most excited I have been about applying graphix. I am so pleased to see it coming together. I do like it when a plan works out. And speaking of a plan working out...lets get back to that cowl. My son got it split, sanded and pretty much ready for primer. I did however mention I want to do a couple of things before I do any priming or painting. First off, I am going to open up the air inlets to allow the 157 to breath better. My son was going to do it, however I figure he has worked hard enough on it. So dad will now take over. I also want to open up "cooling" vents in the bottom of the cowl and probably drill and set the retaining bolts to keep the top shell attached to the bottom shell. I also need to open up the exhaust outlets in the bottom shell. I also need to drill a choke rod relief. I will also need to add a air deflector to the bottom of the cowl to help "suck" the hot 157 air out of the inside of the cowl.


What an awesome job @Shayne Epley did on this cowl for me. I am so thankful for all his help. I am shooting for a primer day tomorrow and a paint day on Sunday. Leaving the last step of clear coat on Tuesday or Wednesday. I may not have the plane flight ready for the next weekend. But it won't be long after that. We are now in the home stretch fellas.

I plan to get away tomorrow morning and do some flying. I am desperate need to bend some sticks. I will more than likely get everything done on the cowl and shoot the primer tomorrow after noon. Stay tuned everyone... It's getting closer.

 

[pawnshopmike]

Looking great!

 

[Snoopy1]

That is looking really good and it is one of a kind which is nice. Not long and she will be in the air.

 

[Jetpainter]

Looking great! Won't be long now.

 

[49dimes]

. WTG Rob and Shayne!





PS....I really like that spinner too .

 

[stangflyer]

Thanks everyone. Don't really understand if it's due to not getting to fly as much lately, or working or maybe it's just the plane. But I do know I am really more excited to have this one ready to maiden than normal. Maybe it's the fact I've not been out with my favorite red head, (well, one of my favorites) in far too long. I do know I'm going to really enjoy hearing her scream as I move the stick forward.

Just got in from flying, so back at the final steps on the 330.

Update coming...