Thorp T18 N111KM Refurb
2/17/2008 - With the Glasair project winding down, I have taken on another Thorp project. This Thorp is in fine condition as-is however not quite up to Darkside specs.
2/17/2008 The first order of business to to remove all equipment (weight) not needed for the current mission. I also am not a big fan of the late seventies paint scheme. not wanting to completely remove and replace the existing paint, I have chosen the following paint scheme to utilize the existing paint as a base. This should allow the painting to progress rather quickly.
2/17/2008 - The first weight reduction has begun. I have removed the vacum system and all vacum gyros. All external antenna are going except the belly Com. The boost pump for the old aux tank has been removed along with a 12 pound harmonic dampener on the flywheel. Gone are 6 switches from the panel that appeared to have no function along with a fuel pressure gauge, analog clock, 4 position EGT system, extra encoder, Terra TriNav indicator, and Terra 920 nave com. There appears to be a working intercom behind the panel somewhere that will also be removed.
3/1/2008 - I have reassembled the electrical system and panel. The Terra radios are gone and a new Microair M760-P has been installed. I am keeping the Terra transponder for now. All of the carpet and side panels have been removed and replaced. The seats will be recovered with material left over from the Glasair project.
3/15/2008 - I am having problems with the Microair radio. Transmit seems fine, VOX between pilot and copilot is working but no receive. It might be an antenna problem. I need to finish up the exhaust and balance the prop then time for a test flight.
3/25/2008 - I removed the radio wiring harness and found the problem with a broken wire. All is working great now.
4/03/2008 - I have finished going through the firewall forward. new started, new exhaust tips, and replace all cowling hardware with stainless.
4/13/2008 - The prop has been balance and it runs much smother than before.
4/24/2008 - With temps in the hangar approaching 110 degress, I will delay painting until this fall. I have about 10 hours aon the Thorp since purchase and it is a nice flying airplane and much easier to land than the Glasair. With great visibility over the nose, it almost can't be consideder a tailwheel aircraft.
5/13/2008 - I continue flying the Thorp weekly. It is fun to shoot touch and goes, and local flights down the beach.