I'm just curious, if you don't ever intend to use door panels, why did you leave the two door panel clips in the middle of the door?

It's all about the aesthetic.... I really like the deconstructed look, seeing the gears behind the clock face etc.. There are tons of small nuances in the project like that.

What primer did you use under the red paint? Is the Red Polyurethane or Acrylic Enamel? Just curious.

Looks beautiful!

I used the UTech system. Red is a harder pigment to keep from fading and I think the UTech has a bit better UV resistance than the DuPont. Also another reason to use base/clear. Epoxy prime first, then the red base, then a clear. A tiny bit heavier cuz of the extra coat, but way more durable and nicer looking. If you paint it right, its not that bad.

bigrenna wrote:I used the UTech system. Epoxy prime first, then the red base, then a clear. A tiny bit heavier cuz of the extra coat, but way more durable and nicer looking. If you paint it right, its not that bad.

Looks fantastic!

Yeah right. Thanks a lot. I think I now own stock in F Atlee and McFarlane. I just can't get out from under this wonderful erh, cursed thread. You really are that guy that has enough experience to know that the only way to approach an aircraft project like this is to pull out all the stops and do it right. I want you to know I am not happy. I went through 30 blissful years of trying to skimp all I could on flying and airplanes. Now I am "that guy" who seems to the rest of the airport derelicts to be throwing good money after good. And my brother/partner cannot be stopped now. Crap! Have I really become enthralled into doing only the best that I personally can on our Skywagon project. What ever happened to common sense? What ever happened to the idea of flying the old gal in the shape she was in when we got it? I mean I flew it in here. Why is it now in parts? How can you sleep at night?

Really cool airplane, by the way. But your timing really stinks. I may have to sell one of the other birds to dump the funds into our Skywagon.
Notwithstanding the above, do tell all the detail you can. I too was having withdrawals during your brief posting hiatus. I am finishing my better than new Cessna 140 project (12 years in the making) and we have the Skywagon in full swing. And I just got divorced thank you very much (woohoo and then the sobering thought that I'm really gonna miss the dawg).
How dare you change your fellow Skywagon brethren into performance minded all-out customized airplane STOL elitists! I eagerly await your next installment in this thread whilst swinging in my hammock in T-Hangar P9 (the ex wifey got all the good comfy stuff).

Sleepless in West Texas

Well, I finally finished the (first? OMG) 29 pages of this thread... I've now started telling friends and family that we have ONE OF the nicest 185's I've ever seen. THE nicest is in New England! Sheesh. I really hope to run into you and your airplane at a fly-in some day! Absolutely gorgeous.

CapnMike wrote:...THE nicest is in New England! Sheesh...

Thanks bro, I surely appreciate the words, but I'm not sure that is even close to the case. There are LOTS of super nice Skywagons out there. Just trying to do the best we can. Hopefully she'll fly one day soon and I can get out west to meet some of you lads.

Got a solid 9hrs back on the polishing wagon today... getting closer.

Greg-

Wow, I think your just draggin your feet to make me feel better about missing Hampton.
I'm just kidding, I can't wait to see you back up in the air. Your almost there keep plugging all that hard work will pay great dividends soon.

Greg, why not polish once it's back in the air? That's what I plan on doing.

robw56 wrote:Greg, why not polish once it's back in the air? That's what I plan on doing.

Greg needs to finish polishing before he weighs because those last few atoms he's removing may tip the scales one more pound to the lighter side

robw56 wrote:Greg, why not polish once it's back in the air? That's what I plan on doing.

Believe me, Im not procrastinating... There are just some things that need to get done before others. For example, the coves in the wings and trailing edge soffit in front of the ailerons must all be polished before the flaps and ailerons can get installed.... same with wing root trim and so on. Cant weigh until they are installed, cant fly until weight, etc etc etc... Sucks to be anal.

Getting there.....

Big hump in the rear view today... Finished the entire A/C with Nuvite F9. Now its a hard march to the scales... I'll pick away at the Nuvite "C" and then "S" after I fly.

(BTW... Polishing sucks)

Holy crap! That's determination! Keep it up!

Holy smokes. I can't wait to see it flying!

I think I would rather be in a dentist char than strip paint or polish metal…..

Looking great though! It will be worth it in the end.

G44

Tom wrote:Holy smokes. I can't wait to see it flying!

dont think it will be hard to miss! i think ill see the sun reflecting off it down here!

You're like one of Derek Zoolander's family members.

^^^ good one Zzz. Cough cough, I think I'm getting the black lung...

Ok... Moment of truth. Picked up the scales this eve. God willing and the creek dont rise. we'll get official numbers tomorrow. Fingers crossed....