Run up - Instrument Checks Completed
Well I have to say what a blast it has been working this past week on the Cessna with Jerry. We got a lot of the heavy work completed and should have her flying in the next few weeks. The paint is now scheduled for February 15th so we will have some time to fly around before sending her to paint.
Just a reminder -- this shoud be the "better than new" Cessna with most all parts new or completely rebuilt. Here is a picture of the instrument panel (pilot's side) as received back in September ---->
http://mansfieldlanding.com/forum/photos/1972_cessna_172l_restoration_n19662/picture161.aspx
And here is how the instrument panel (pilot's side) looks when we went home tonight ---->
http://mansfieldlanding.com/forum/photos/1972_cessna_172l_restoration_n19662/picture244.aspx
WOW!
Note that we were able to get the standard "6-pack" configuration of flight instruments in the right place but had to set the gyros up a little to clear the yoke. This while not impossible - did present some problems with sheet metal. Also note the radio rack shelf. This is bolted to the rear and gives the ability to slide the complete radio rack in as an assembly. This will really help if we need to pull it out for a wire modification later. The red cable harness on the right is the main power feed to the radio rack. This will just plug into the rack when it gets installed next weekend.
The instrument panel needed to be modified in 2 areas. Both were non-structural but did require some fancy sheet metal work by Jerry. The first area was a dog house to allow for room at the back of the Attitude Gyro. Because we moved this up on the panel, and we did not want to increase the height of the entire panel, we needed some extra space so we could clear the back of the gyro and allow us to connect the vacuum hoses. Here are a few shots of the completed dog house ---->
http://mansfieldlanding.com/forum/photos/1972_cessna_172l_restoration_n19662/picture245.aspx
http://mansfieldlanding.com/forum/photos/1972_cessna_172l_restoration_n19662/picture246.aspx
The other area was on the right side. The older style Cessna 172 has a drop in the panel as seen here ---->
http://mansfieldlanding.com/forum/photos/1972_cessna_172l_restoration_n19662/picture160.aspx
The newer style Cessna 172 is straight across and since we wanted to use the new LED glareshield, we needed to modify the top of the panel. Here are a few shots of the completed panel sheet metal ---->
http://mansfieldlanding.com/forum/photos/1972_cessna_172l_restoration_n19662/picture247.aspx
http://mansfieldlanding.com/forum/photos/1972_cessna_172l_restoration_n19662/picture248.aspx
With all the modifications done and the panel and radio rack fit we pulled everything back out and cleaned up the entire area. We then installed black leather over the top of the instrument panel and fit the original Cessna hardware. This now looks like it came out of the factory. Here are some shots of the leather cover glued in place ---->
http://mansfieldlanding.com/forum/photos/1972_cessna_172l_restoration_n19662/picture250.aspx
http://mansfieldlanding.com/forum/photos/1972_cessna_172l_restoration_n19662/picture251.aspx
We glued the right side down one night and then came back the next day to glue the other side. The thought was if the one (flat) side was secure we could streach it a little to help cover the odd shape of the dog house. It worked although the trimming on the bottom was a little off. This was not a problem because the windshield covered that area.
We installed the windshield with new felt, sealant and stainless hardware. It went in without too much trouble and looks great. On Sunday (12/31) we rushed to push the airplane out of the hangar and do a ground run. The engine started up right away and ran great. We performed a leak check (nothing) and ran her for about 15 minutes. All systems worked great with some minor adjustments needed to idle speed, vacuum pressure and oil pressure.
Today we had a great day of "Rain" so we were able to push her outside for another ground run and leak check, this time water. When I first pulled the plane apart we had water in the belly so we knew we had a leak just not sure where. Here is a picture outside ---->
http://mansfieldlanding.com/forum/photos/1972_cessna_172l_restoration_n19662/picture252.aspx
As suspected we found a leak (small one) on the rear window. Jerry pulled out some sealant and applied more. We will check this another day with the hose to confirm we are weather tight before installing the interior. I know --- the nose strut is low. I have a rebuild kit and it is on the list to pull the nose gear off to clean paint and rebuild. We already did the shimmy dampner which was completely empty... a common Cessna problem. Not sure why since there are only 2 seals and the cost about 25 cents to buy new ones.
Here is a shot of N19662 back in the hangar - she looks like an airplane again.
http://mansfieldlanding.com/forum/photos/1972_cessna_172l_restoration_n19662/picture254.aspx
The Stearman was moved to the back of the hangar so we could move the 172 in and out easy. As the day progressed the temperature went up and I think we have 60 degrees forecasted for later this week. January and I do not think the Stearman is going to be packed away just yet......
Oh yes - here is a picture of Jerry Brooks standing next to his work. He has done a lot of great work helping me on this airplane and it shows. ---- Thank Jerry!
http://mansfieldlanding.com/forum/photos/1972_cessna_172l_restoration_n19662/picture253.aspx
All said we had a great week. The airplane is running again and we are very close to flying. I will complete the radio rack this week and install it next weekend. At that point we will only have a few things to wrap up before we can test fly her........