Update 15

That's alotta updates!

Last week, I assembled the various pieces/parts to secure the hatch to the cockpit.



The cable and sleeves arrived and I'm carefully squeezing the cables together. There is no provision for adjustment, so I need to get it right the first time. (or at least the second time...)



I'm not sure what the reasoning was behind not using turnbuckles, but it sure looks nice and clutter free like this.

In other areas, I routed a bunch of teleflex cables for the engine controls. This was a real safari.



Turns out, I really should know better than to think I can simply believe the labels that were carefully attached to the various parts. I also should ignore the hardware that was installed presumably in the same holes from which it was previously removed...



Once I was able to dispatch such things from my mind, the pile of parts sort of assemble themselves.



Frankly, the fact that all the brackets for the hatch were labeled "R" , in theory, meaning "Right side" and that none were labeled "L" for left should have been an omen to me.

The big news for the coming week is the arrival of "2 carloads" of Trimotor rebuilders from Port Clinton, OH. I'll be hosting them on Saturday for a tour of N8419. I hope this meeting to be a spark plug for both airplanes, igniting renewed vigor and fresh perspective to each project.

Update 14

Good Monday Morning, Trimotor fans!

I hope everybody received some good exercise while shoveling snow over the weekend. I know I did. (my apologies to readers from warmer climes who do not have the privilege of participating in such enjoyment).

As you may recall from the previous post, I found a real challenge in the Emergency Hatch. You'll be happy to read (and see) that the challenge has for the most part passed.







The hatch fits the cockpit structure quite well now, and I have made what parts were missing by copying the parts that were not missing.


Amazing what you can do with simple hand tools (and time)
Hand tools may be our friends, but time is not.

I have ordered the cable and nicopress sleeves necessary to complete the release mechanism, and it should be here this week sometime.

Now for the next challenge, whatever that may be...

Update 13

Good morning Trimotor fans. I hope you had a productive and restful weekend.

Last week, some amount of time was spent seeking the next biggest stumbling block to the timely completion of the project.

Whattayaknow, I found it:




That's right, the emergency hatch fits not-so-good.



It also has no attachment type fittings installed, nor any holes for, well, anything.


There is a box of fittings, links, handles, etc. that obviously goes with the hatch:

I couldn't help but laugh at the text on the box. Heh, did the writer intend to say that there is no way that these bits will function? Perhaps they meant that they didn't begin assembling the bits?
Time will tell.

It does have some rivets in a pattern similar to the fittings, and I'll use the "puzzle" method to get it together.

So far, the above bracketry is, unfortunately, the brightest aspect of this task.




the light coming through the cracks is the darkest aspect.
heh, poetic, eh?

Not to worry, as there is a plan. I'll be sure and keep this blog's readers updated as the plan is adapted.

Update 12

Welcome, readers to update number 12.

I hope everyone out there had a happy and safe new year. The days are getting longer, and the project is progressing.

Last week was engine indicating line week. In particular, routing the lines that go from the lower portion of the #2 firewall,



over the rudder pedal enclosure,






to the upper portion, which is the instrument "enclosure".




Turns out, when you have 3 engines, there are a passel of indicators, and low and behold, a #3 line for each one. Naturally, there are quite a few Adel clamps used to secure said lines. Anyone that has had the pleasure of finagling a clamp into a place where it didn't really "want" to go can appreciate the installation of 62 of those little gems on this short section of lines.