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Thanksgiving 2002
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038 The rebuild of 038 - a Schweizer model SGS 1-26A 13 November 2002 - The saga begins Actually, it began 2 weeks ago when I won the salvage bid on this glider. I saw it on the AIG insurance company salvage website http://www.aviation-salvage.com/ and sent in a bid of $1200. After they told me I was the winner, I Fedexed AIG a cashier's check and they immediately lost the check in their mailroom. They would not believe I had sent it until I faxed them a copy of the Fedex delivery notice with the mailroom person's signature (Thanks Fedex!) So, I sent them a new check and they got the second one - and the retrieve began. That's 525's trailer, borrowed from Dave Piotrowski because my deal to buy 038's trailer fell through when the former owner decided he wanted to keep it for his next 1-26. Now I'll have to either build one, or find a used one somewhere |
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| December 28 - update: I ordered fuselage drawings from Schweizer, they're not too expensive. Also Charles Shaw sent me the wing and empennage drawings - very interesting and helpful - thanks Charles. No package yet from the insurance adjuster who promised to send the logbooks, canopy, turtledeck, instruments, etc. so I'll have to call him next week. |
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| I've decided to go the gas welder route instead of TIG. I have always liked TIG better (and I'm better with TIG) but I can't justify paying $2000 for a decent TIG unit when I can get a very high quality gas apparatus for $300. I know there are less expensive TIG machines out there, but I was spoiled by a water-cooled Lincoln years ago and would not be happy with a low power unit. |
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| Below - The Tabby Cat inspects the fuselage damage while Renee documents the condition with her Nikon D2H. |
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| Below, string class buddy Eric Minnis from the Greensboro FSDO (in flight jacket) observes at Mitch Hudson (1-26 Sherrif) disconnects 038 from his truck after hauling it from Connecticutt to Oke City (actually Hinton, OK) where Eric and I are going to FAA training classes. |
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| Below, 038 waits for me to drive down for my final string class and pick it up and take it home to Seattle. Those cows are just off the Hinton, OK airport where the Soaring Sooners have a small soaring operation. I joined the club and flew their 1-26 and took Eric for rides in their 2-33. |
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| The wings still need a lot of work, the fuselage needs cover and the glider just generally needs about $10,000 dollars in parts and materials. |
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| Above - the restored fuselage with Pennsylvania snow still sitting in it after arrival in Oke City, below, a year later, the restored and now recovered fuselage emerges from The Tent in Bonney Lake, WA after covering and painting. |
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Below, both wings needed to be completely rebuilt. |
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Below - After final assembly, annual and recertification 038 flies for the first time in many years. |
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Below - new owner Charles Shaw gets set to fly 038 for the first time in Hobbs, NM. |
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