One by one, the myriad of parts of a magnificent airplane are coming together. This little bit here, that little bit there, every one touched by my friend, Rick's, artist's hand. Click on each picture as you read to make it larger.
Note the work accomplished since our last post: the picture on the left is from March, 2013; the one on the right is six months later: September 2013. From these vantage points you can see a fair amount of work has been done: The tail is taking shape and the airplane is "on the gear" by September.
Again, left to right. The picture on the left is from July, 2013 and the one on the right is from February, 2014. By February the vertical stabilizer and rudder were covered and painted and the windshields and trim around the windshields were installed. Note that bowl-shaped apparatus hanging on the front; that is a heat shield shroud called, by antique airplane aficionados, a "dishpan", because it looks like one. That shroud deflects heat from the engine toward the outside of the engine compartment and away from accessories and appliances that occupy the space between the engine and firewall, such as the oil tank, various electrical components, etc.
Going back to September, 2013, the engine cowling was trial-fitted. That "dishpan" shown in the photos above fits inside this cowling. Note the blisters on the outside of the cowling. Those allow room for the intake and exhaust valve covers within an otherwise very crowded space. The cowling fits around the engine fairly tightly to take best advantage of airflow for cooling. The fabric draped over the aft fuselage will be used to cover the tail surfaces.
By February 18, 2014, the original registration numbers and a Fairchild decal adorned the rudder. Note also, the red trim on the leading edge of the vertical stabilizer. The fabric and paintwork are exquisite, evidence of Rick's skill and attention to the smallest detail.
And another look at the tribute to the aviatrix for whom the airplane is named ... "To honor our distant cousin. My cousin Tim's and my grandmother were sisters, we thought it would be fitting to name the ship "Amelia" after our grandmothers' 3rd cousin. Growing up as boys, the name of Miss Earhart was spoken in the family with great reverence." -Rick.
Next up: Landing gear shrouds, cabin doors and, later this year, Wings.
Fly safe. Stay tuned.
For a chronology of Rick's project, take a look at these prior posts:
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