Parts!

It's been just over a year since David's last post.  It's not that nothing has been happening with the Stearman, but with all that HAS been happening in the world, this project has not always been the priority. I have now joined David in lending a hand where I can and trying to post a bit more often.

The focus for the last couple of weeks has been on parts.  Breaking down the various assemblies, sorting and cleaning. I've been learning quite a bit about aircraft manufacturing - the use of steel versus aluminum and the respective cost differences.  I have also gained a much better understanding of the work David has done for Aircorps in making parts lists and drawings available for historic aircraft.  Being able to reference parts list from various sections (like an upper - left - wing) to identify what is in your hand is very statisfying.  Much more to do before reassembly starts, but great to have started the process of knowing what we have in inventory.  The pictures below show some of the parts we have been working on.  Salvaging what parts we can will make a difference in the overall cost and we hope we will also be able to resell the surplus.

Collection of bell cranks at start of process

Drawing from the Aircorps Library of the part we are working on

After disassembly and stripping

Pressing out the bearing

Drag/anti-drag wires that brace the inside of the wings.

Objective is to remove the Clevis forks from the wires

After removal - box on left has been sandblasted

Sorting

Covers

Surprise! This was the largest mouse house of many found during disassembly.