shop projects DUW

[ImpalaSlayer]

well i know some of you are intrested in this stuff and i know Papa John wanted to see it so here we go.

heres our 2 current projects in the hanger. this first one is an L-29, a trainer from the czech republic. its been here a few years and we are finally getting around to it. the guy that bought it is getting a hole crap load of stuff done. upgraded engine, 100k in avionics :eek: wet wing convirsion, new paint, cockpits cleaned and painted. the list goes on.

here it is before we stripped the paint.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/l-29/IMG_0535.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/l-29/IMG_0534.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/l-29/IMG_0536.jpg

you can see here how badly the paint was just falling off.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/l-29/IMG_0539.jpg

the yellow doughnut looking thing is one of the fuel tanks.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/l-29/IMG_0541.jpg

this is the old engine at 1800lbs of thrust the plane is a real dog
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/l-29/IMG_0544.jpg

this is the new engine we put it them, at 3800lbs of thrust it makes an awesome plane (reno air race winner)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/l-29/IMG_0593.jpg

heres the custom engine mount we make, just came back from powder coating.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/l-29/IMG_0594.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/l-29/IMG_0595.jpg

[ImpalaSlayer]

heres the plane after its been stripped
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/l-29/IMG_0583.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/l-29/IMG_0584.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/l-29/IMG_0585.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/l-29/IMG_0586.jpg
these are the access holes we cut in the wing to allow us get in there and seal the the wing since we dont use a bladder.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/l-29/IMG_0587.jpg

some models had tip tanks like these but these are ugly and also create drag, so my dad came up with the wet wing idea
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/l-29/IMG_0588.jpg

[ImpalaSlayer]

this next one is an L-39. its basicly a new version of the L-29. some were outfitted for light attack.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/l-29/IMG_0597.jpg

i painted the landing gear on this a few weeks ago. what a PITA!
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/l-29/IMG_0598.jpg

heres where the wind blew over the tail while it was outside and something punched a whole in it.:mad2:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/l-29/IMG_0596.jpg

heres a shot of the ejection seat.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/l-29/IMG_0602.jpg

ill be updateting along the way! hope you liked it

[a_d_a_m]

the thought of being in a plane scares the crap out of me, but that's awesome!

[sd8683]

the thought of being in a plane scares the crap out of me, but that's awesome!

Me too!!! I hate to fly........ But very cool stuff Dave:up:

[ctrlraven]

Keep'em coming Dave.

[rayjay]

Sweet business. :up: Is that hanger next to your home? Tell me this isn't like American Chopper. I can see Sr threatening to run Jr through the fan blades. :rofl:

[offroadkarter]

the thought of being in a plane scares the crap out of me


but having the ability to launch a small aerial attack is awesome :D

[ckadiddle]

I bet the "test drive around the block" is fun. ;)

[Rocknthehawk]

That's awesome dave.

By chance...could you get some bare seats, like the ejection seats, without the ejection part?

[ImpalaSlayer]

That's awesome dave.

By chance...could you get some bare seats, like the ejection seats, without the ejection part?

i can ask. the rocket motors are easly remove able.

[justbob]

Thats amazing talent! I would be too scared to tear into a plane like that and ever expect it to fly again!

[ctrlraven]

Sweet business. :up: Is that hanger next to your home? Tell me this isn't like American Chopper. I can see Sr threatening to run Jr through the fan blades. :rofl:
It is right next to the house lol, been in it a few times.


I bet the "test drive around the block" is fun. ;)
I forget where Dave said they test them.

[ImpalaSlayer]

I bet the "test drive around the block" is fun. ;)

they come in on a truck in a container and they come outa here under there own steam via a 3000ft grass strip

[RUSTY]

Looks to me to be a dream job, All but the part about sealing the wing, this I know is alot of work

[TiTo35]

WOW Dave...just WOW...

[Pops]

Thanks for doing this Dave! I have restored many cars in my time but can not imagine the time it takes to do this work. The amount of skills you learn doing this will make for a lifetime of fun. Looking forward to seeing the rest of this thread! :beer:

[Georges93LX]

Dave: Are you an A&P mechanic?

[ImpalaSlayer]

Dave: Are you an A&P mechanic?

not yet. workin on it. ive only seriously been doign this for the past year or so. therefore ill prolly wait another year b4 i take the test

[Georges93LX]

Best of Luck to ya. Tough times right now in aviation. But once in your blood you can't get out of it.

[ImpalaSlayer]

there will alwyas be planes to fix!

[Mike M]

Unbelievable! The amount of work and know how is really impressive. Where the F do you get parts? When you upgrade an engine and make a wet wing does it have to be "re-certified"?

[ImpalaSlayer]

Unbelievable! The amount of work and know how is really impressive. Where the F do you get parts? When you upgrade an engine and make a wet wing does it have to be "re-certified"?

ehh somewhat i think. my dad takes care of allt hat stuff i just do the wrenching. there are not as many restrictions because they are classified as "expiramental"

[Aren Jay]

To be flown or put on display?

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/190/500036589_b7bd2fd996.jpg?v=0ht tp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3199/2860006003_288b1386e4.jpg?v=0
a cool display at a local Museum.

[ImpalaSlayer]

To be flown or put on display?

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/190/500036589_b7bd2fd996.jpg?v=0ht tp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3199/2860006003_288b1386e4.jpg?v=0
a cool display at a local Museum.


depends what the customer wants. if they want something for display, sure no prob. if they want it to fly, again same answer

[ImpalaSlayer]

well its been a few months and ive been slacking in this thread. the 39 in the pictures above has since been finished and sent to canada. it was painted almost all black with red trim. we just finished up its sister ship and here are the pics.


during the paint process
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/IMG_0850.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/IMG_0851.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/IMG_0852.jpg

heres some finished pics
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/IMG_0858.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/IMG_0859.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/IMG_0860.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/IMG_0861.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/IMG_0862.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/IMG_0864.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/IMG_0863.jpg

most of the cockpit restoration was done by myself. i also did some of the painting on the outside

[TiTo35]

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn!

[CRUZTAKER]

Thank you for sharing your projects with such great detail.
I hope you create scrapbooks with all of your family's work.

These threads have always amazed me.
Very attention getting.;)

[Phrog_gunner]

Great pics. I much prefer the P to the A work, but that's what I have more experience with. Is the upgraded engine also Russian??

[Mach1Marauder]

DUde that's SWEEEEEET!

I reminds me of helping my neighbor build his plane about 10 yrs ago.
How much yo ya have to tear the plane down to inspect for corrosion on like that first plane and can you still use zinc chromate?

[martyo]

Threads like these are awesome!

And sure beat nonsensical phony "stcky" threads.......

[Blk Mamba]

I'm going to retire in a couple years, need part time help?

[ImpalaSlayer]

Great pics. I much prefer the P to the A work, but that's what I have more experience with. Is the upgraded engine also Russian??

for the L-29? no its actually a rolls royce made in england

[ImpalaSlayer]

DUde that's SWEEEEEET!

I reminds me of helping my neighbor build his plane about 10 yrs ago.
How much yo ya have to tear the plane down to inspect for corrosion on like that first plane and can you still use zinc chromate?

when my father does the prebuy over seas he looks for all that stuff. wont buy em if they have bad corrosion, and yes you can still use zinc chromate

[Marauderjack]

Hey Dave.....

VERY, VERY IMPRESSIVE resto work there!!!:beer::bows:

Just curious though...how do you get them certified as "Air Worthy"???:confused: Do you have to classify them as experimental since I doubt many FFA folks know much abut these planes!!:shake:

Once again....OUTSTANDING WORK!!:D

[Pops]

Great thread here Dave! Nice to see the talent that it takes to do this kind of work! You my friend have a good future ahead of you. Keep it up!:)

[Glenn]

IS:

Great job and neat pictures.

Glenn :burnout:

[ImpalaSlayer]

thanks guys! MJ, you are correct they are classified as experimental.

[SILVERSURFER03]

i see my beetle is still there lol