too cold to work outside. On December 27, 1983 we carried the bare fuselage through two feet of snow, loaded it on the pickup and took it to Kalkman Redi-Mix where Randy and I sandblasted it. The temperature was five degrees above zero on a dry and cold day. After returning the fuselage to our warm basement, Gary Van Farowe, our resident AI and also an Antique/Classic Division member, inspected the struc ture and finding no cracks, dents or bro ken welds, proclaimed it ready for prim ing . We applied two coats of epoxy primer and it looked very good. We have a small sandblasting unit in our garage and it handled the myriad of small metal parts beautifulry. They were all cleaned and primed. The rest of the project was a typical "ground-up" resto ration with new control cables, fuel and oil lines, and plywood floor installed. Master Craftsman Gord Meeuwsen made new cockpit fairings plus the bag gage compartment floor and door. New electrical wiring was installed by Ken Dannenberg. Bob and Joan Harderwijk made a new seat cushion for the back cockpit. I cut new plywood formers and wood stringers then Jake Steenwyk built up a new turtle deck after re-glue ing the old one together for use as a pattern . All the new wood was given three coats of varnish . Finally on April 21, 1984 the airframe was ready for a pre-cover inspection. This was accomplished by Gary Van Farowe and he Signed it off on that day. On April 28 we slid on the ceconite cover. I was well pleased with the way the plane turned out. Except for the Ceco nite fabric which came with the plane, I used Stits products up through color. The only problems were caused by me, such as the air hose touching wet paint and dope creeping under tapes not put down tightly. Also, I learned that paint runs uphill! The fuselage came out of the base ment at 6:00 a.m. on July 3, 1984. We installed the wheels and towed it to the airport. Would I fly it yet that summer? Vainly we tried. Jack Elenbaas, Gary and I installed the wings and new stain less steel wires by July 10. The Waco came with a Stearman exhaust manifold on the 220 hp Conti nental and a "Mickey Mouse" carburetor heat system. I wanted to replace these with original items and started making many phone calls. I finally contacted Antique/Classic Di vision member Tom Flock of Rockville, Indiana who was preparing to make up some new exhaust manifolds out of stainless steel. Lucky me - he prom ised me the first one! After receiving and installing it I phoned Tom to tell him how well it fit. "Good," he said and added ,"We buffed
Phil and son, Randy, sandblasted the fuselage frame on 12/27/83. Temperature was plus five degrees!
It's build up time. Phil re-assembles the myriad of parts on the fuselage frame.
The turtle deck with all new wood. VINTAGE AIRPLANE 13