It really is nice when the parts benches start to only contain all the mismatched screws that you have no intention of putting back in the plane.

Beautiful, makes me envious.

Marty

I was able to get the tips on tonight:

Got the big 88" noise maker hung tonight. Wifey is out of town so should be able to put in some long days through the weekend. I have to admit I'm ready to get this bird flying again!

We finished up the engine compartment and was able to button it up. The to do list is getting shorter and shorter.

Looking great. I dont know if I should be envious or inspired to keep chuggin on mine. Really looking nice!

Wow! Very Nice. Great vision and excellent execution. For just a winter project, you have accomplished a lot and it all looks First Class!
Don

Bigrenna & Don - Thanks for the encouragement. Today was one of those days where I should have just stayed home and mowed the lawn. Ran new scat hose for the airvents and spent the rest of day trying to rig the autopilot servo. Very frustrating. A few bright spots, Litttle John & Laura Lee stopped by and checked on the progress.

Still moving forward on the project. We were able to get the auto pilot servo rigged, brakes bled and put the Skywagon on the scales. The 180J left Cessna in 1975 with a book weight of 1,724.7 lbs. with a useful load of 1,075.3 lbs. After 38 years the actual weight is 1,823 lbs and now with the Kenmore GW increase kit the new useful load is 1,367 lbs.

Well after several weeks of an endless list of "one more thing to do" I was able to fly the Skywagon today! Flew for 30 minutes, man I love this plane. So far only 2 issues. Fuel sending unit cork gasket was leaking and the left brake was mushy. Was able to fix both and tomorrow going back in the air!

Congrats!! Beautiful Bird , Thanks for sharing.
Have FUN!!
GT

Now that she's all together, can you take some "glamor shots" of that beautiful paint job?

Very nice looking!

I really like your paint scheme as well. It is interesting that so many Skywagons are going through the last part of winter re-work this spring.

I'll post some better pictures once I get the plane home. My buddy's hangar where we've been working is 35 miles from where I live. I'm so tired of that drive! I kept telling myself ' there is no deadline ' , I didn't want to take any shortcuts. The next project is the headliner and finish installing all the interior.

http://www.themud.com/blake/cessna1.jpg

http://www.themud.com/blake/cessna2.jpg

http://www.themud.com/blake/cessna3.jpg

A great rebuild. Any plans to put it on floats since it has the factory float kit?

jkOregon wrote:I'll post some better pictures once I get the plane home. My buddy's hangar where we've been working is 35 miles from where I live. I'm so tired of that drive! I kept telling myself ' there is no deadline ' , I didn't want to take any shortcuts. The next project is the headliner and finish installing all the interior.

http://www.themud.com/blake/cessna1.jpg

http://www.themud.com/blake/cessna2.jpg

http://www.themud.com/blake/cessna3.jpg

Hey your tail # is apparent in that top photo... looks like you wanted it blocked from the earlier photos-

"Any plans to put it on floats since it has the factory float kit?"

Rick,

No plans for floats. Great video of you and your 180.

joel

It's been a tough summer, my Dad passed away earlier this summer, a positive note I was able to spend some quality time with him the last 6 weeks of his life. I wasn't able to get him in the Skywagon for a ride but he loved following the progress.

Here's some pictures of the headliner install. Thanks Barnstormer for the tips!

Sorry to hear about your dad... Blows.

Good to see the bird back together! This is like the Battle of the Skywagons!

jkOregon,

It's great to see her back together. Sorry to hear about your Dad, lost mine last year before he could get a ride as well.

Really hoping we can get all the wagons together next year, would be really great to see them all in person.

Congrats on getting her done (of course we are never done are we).