As of this writing (Feb. 23, 2002) the restoration of the doors is almost complete. A new window has been fitted to one door and the window is still to be done. It took two attempts to get the window size correct for the rebuilt door. Plexiglas is being used instead of real glass as in the original.

Below is a before and during comparison of the instrument panel. A new panel has been made for the right side. You can see manifold pressure, clock, engine temperature, & Hobbs on the right side of the new panel. On the center top of the new right hand panel is the shaft for the dimmer control. The lower right slot is for a Bendix King KT-76A transponder. On the upper left of the right hand panel are openings for the Bendix King KX-124 Nav/Com (Com 2) and the PS Engineering PM-4000 Audio Panel/Intercom. The top center of the main console has had the mounting bracket for the GPS installed and below it the tray for a Com (Com 1). On the lower part of the main panel a new mounting panel has been fabricated to replace the old fuse panel. The eight fuses are being replaced with a double row of 16 circuit breakers. In the middle of the main panel, above the throttle area is the engine tachometer.

(Aug 20, 2002) Much of the avionics and the new circuit breakers have been installed but today was especially important as the engine has been run for the first time during this restoration project. The engine test was a success.

(Nov 2002) The avionics installation and other rewiring is essentially complete. Everything needs to be removed again from the panels to allow for final painting and finishing. The fuselage has been painted! Seeing the painted fuselage really gives a sense of progress! The brakes have been rebuilt and are working. It was tense for awhile as we were unsure if we could successfully rebuild the master cylinders. With three to work with we succeeded with two of them.  The interior panels have been recovered ready for installation. Pictured below are the cockpit panels, the painted fuselage, the left rudder controls and their brake pedals, and a finished door panel.

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Last updated on July 24, 2004