'I don't know how anyone else feels about it. With the aid of much 20/20 hind sight, I would look real serious into repair, versus replacing the fuselage. Especially, if the damage is mostly limited to the gear attachment area.
I got into my 24, first I needed to look into minor repairs to the wings, then my attention spread to the fuselage. My ambition/dreams quickly went out of control. I presently have a new set of wings, completely rebuild fuselage. The motor is in the process of being overhauled. I am still looking at 1-2 years before I fly again, only if age and health allows.
At what cost? It have taken alot of time and more money that I have ever thought possible. 30+ years to get here, and 3-4 times the original cost. The worst part is, I didn't get to fly the airplane at all.
My thought, (20/20 hind sight), is to do what needs to be done, right now. Get back flying ASAP. Maybe, buy the other fuselage, and do what needs to be done to it. Then when done with it, swap them out over some winter when flying isn't so good. Standing on the ground and watching others fly, really sucks. Beside, you can really get a kink in your neck, and it doesn't go away very quick.
Bob
[quote] ----- Original Message -----
From: steven whelan
To:
fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, June 30, 2008 6:19 AM
Subject: Re: [fairchildclub] Ground Loop
Guys,
Thanks for your input. For now, the jury is still out on whether or not the insurance will pay for the repair or write it off. I'm on a business trip in the US at the moment & when I return Wednesday I need to meet with the insurance adjuster & work this out. I did find an old undamaged fuselage which could be cleaned up & used probably cheaper than repairing the damaged fuselage.
Will keep you posted.
Steve Whelan
--- On Fri, 6/27/08, Bob Etter wrote:
From: Bob Etter
Subject: Re: [fairchildclub] Ground Loop
To:
fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, June 27, 2008, 10:08 AM
You are in luck when it comes to serial number. There is only serial number on the airplane other than instruments, electronics, and motor, is on the data plate located inside and forward of the left door, on the kick panel. The same one that also shows the make and model that it was, when it came off the assembly line.
I have seen & looked at every linear inch of my fuselage, and there are no numbers on it, anywhere.
Mine, in 1948 was probably worse than yours. Right main folded up, taking out the bottom right side of the fuselage. She flipped, taking out the top right of the fuselage, both wings, wood on the top of the cabin, and the rudder.
The only thing that they didn't rebuild and get totally correct, was the landing gear attachment points. The front was .9 deg. off line, and the rear was 1.3 deg. off. I just made two bushings that were .9 deg off axis, and two that were 1.3 deg. off axis. The tolerance was