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755CB sees the sky for the first time!
Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:26 pm
by cjensen
Today was garage cleaning day, and I moved the fuselage out in to the driveway this morning.
It was a beautiful, albeit a bit cool, day here in Normal, and 755CB got to spend the whole day in the sun sitting in the driveway. I had LOTS of people drive by nice and slow doing double takes, and a couple even stopped to talk for a few minutes. The neighborhood kids LOVED it!
I now have a nice, clean garage again, and everything was rearranged to create a little more space. 755CB is safely back in the garage awaiting the next work session.
BTW...since the fuselage has now seen the sky, I feel it's necessary to refer to it by it's name now...

Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 5:01 am
by Thermos
Congrats Chad, looks awesome!

Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 6:03 am
by weezbad
very nice chad. they do have a way of making poeple stare when they finally get outside. the reason kids love it is because they still have the ability to dream. 90% of the folks think we are crazy 8 % wish they were doing something that cool and 2 % want to come back and steal it for its value at the scrap aluminum yard so they cant get another hit of crack.

Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 6:26 am
by captain_john
Chad, that is cool. It was too windy here yesterday, otherwise I would have done the same.
It is interesting how you refer to the project during the construction phase. You are using the tail number.
When I was working on the empennage, I really didn't call it much. You know, I would say, "Need to work on the horizontal stab today."
Then I was "working on the wings."
A couple of weeks ago when Thermos was down, we were talking about this. I have been calling the project a "machine" lately. It just sorta fits.
If you have ever owned a snowmobile you probably know what I mean. We always called them snow machines or just, "the sled", not snowmobiles. Therefore, I can't call this "the plane". It would be too simple. Besides, it conjures up thoughts of the midget on Fantasy Island.
Back in the day, they called airplanes "flying machines" and I like that connotation. It is nostalgic.
The... MA-SHEEN!
Chad, looks great!

CJ
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 11:27 am
by cjensen
captain_john wrote:It is interesting how you refer to the project during the construction phase. You are using the tail number.
Yeah, I bascially referred to mine in the same fashion along the way as well. Working on the rudder, working on the wings, working on the fuse...now it has seen the sky, and I feel the need to call the project by a name.
Didn't know you had yours on its gear CJ!! PICS!!
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 1:12 pm
by JohnR
Chad, looks good. I will say that your garage before you cleaned it already looked as clean as my shop does after I clean it.
I'll bet the neighborhood kids will all be wanting rides when your done.

Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 2:04 pm
by cjensen
Oh man, I almost DON'T want to do anything in the garage it's so clean right now!
I'll get it filled back up with AL shavings (and canopy plastic) very soon. I'm working on building Brit a set of dog agility equipment right now, so PVC curly's are making the mess right now.
I can see the gleam in the eye's of those kids when they come by on their bicycles. Weez is right...they do still dream big!

Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 5:04 pm
by captain_john
Chad, I am not on my landing gear. I am on my temporary gear. It is lower and easier to work on the ma-sheen!
Basically I have 2x4's bolted to the spar blocks and the tailwheel on.
I am going to drill the 2x4's and insert a caster for the time being.

CJ
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 5:49 pm
by cjensen
I see...I am working on something similar this weekend. My main gear and engine mount are coming off this week, and I making new steel and AL stands using the center section...just like the ones in the RB Builder Resources section. I had the steel welded up on Friday, and we're making the AL spacers after work tomorrow. I bought a couple of mini dolly's from HF to put under the steel stands if I need to move it. Otherwise, it will not have wheels, other than the TW staying on.

Lookin' good
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 7:14 pm
by aparchment
Chad:
It's lookin' great! Keep up the good work.
I can't wait to see that canopy on!
Antony
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 7:37 am
by RVNewsletter
I really like the engine mount. Do most people prime/paint theirs or stay with the powder coat?
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:52 am
by cjensen
RVNewsletter wrote:I really like the engine mount. Do most people prime/paint theirs or stay with the powder coat?
Thanks Bob! Most stick with the dove gray PC from Van's...I ordered mine with no PC, and had it done locally in red PC.

Looks great!
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 9:30 am
by flytoboat
It's always good to get a fresh start with a clean workspace! Maybe you could put a belly mower on it so it can get more fresh air!

Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:49 am
by dons
Looking good Chad. I think most of us here can dream pretty well too, otherwise we wouldn't be doing all this work.