Classic IV Speedster Rebuild

[Av8r3400]

Yes I (we) did. I had the help of a good friend who is a supremely qualified welding artist.

Link

[SaskFox]

Good luck on your fix. It will be nice to see it flying again.

[foxkit3]

Quote.. Since I can't have a super cub. Your going to have a sweet plane man. I would take a classic speedster over a pa-18 super cub anyday. Performance is very simular you will just burn half the amount of fuel.

[Bryan]

Travis I have rebuilt my IV because of the same type of mishap, so if I can be any assistance let me know. I am in the middle of a house build and it may take a while to get back with you but I will do what I can. Up until a year ago I lived in Emporia but moved South to Tulsa, but I have a lot of pics and can talk you through what I did. Call if you want Bryan 620-481-1976

[Travm1982]

Well its been a while since I have posted anything, so I guess I'll give everyone an update. Life has been crazy lately, we bought a house, got married, and had a baby all in about a year and a half. So I have had to put the Kitfox project on the back burner. On the plus side, I have had plenty of time to study the damage and after several different plans of attack on how to fix it I have finally committed to the one that I think is best.

Originally and after talking to an A&P the plan was to try and bend most of the damaged tubing back into place using pusher blocks and big C clamps. Well that was easier said than done, and the tubes I did push back into place just weren't turning out as straight as I would have liked. So I scrapped that and decided to stop ***** footing around and just figure out a way to cut out the damage and replace it with straight new tubing.

I took careful measurements and sketched out a plan of where everything should end back up, then started cutting.

You can see the temporary bracing I installed to keep everything where its supposed to be while I fabricate a new belly structure.

I also bought a Lathe/Mill to help with any machining. It works pretty well for coping the tubing so far.

[Paul Z]

Very nice looking IV, best of luck with a difficult repair! Congratulations with respect to the family, family first.

[Travm1982]

Thanks Paul, I hope I can do the plane justice. The original builder did a great job. I can't wait to get the wings back on and fire up the old rotax. I'm crossing my fingers on that one..

[av8rps]

You got yourself one nice little speedster. I looked that Kitfox over extensively at OSH a bunch of years ago. Its paint scheme inspired what I did on my Kitfox. I love how it has a look reminescent of an old Monocoupe. That will be a fun ride when you get it done. But hang that pretty GSC on the wall and get a prop that performs. You'll gain significant performance.

I like your approach to the repairs. You won't regret doing it right.

Keep us posted. It's exciting to know it will be flying again one day,..

[SkyPirate]

flame welding? tig or mig?

[Travm1982]

flame welding? tig or mig?

Tig. I bought a Miller Syncrowave 200 a few years ago that I have been playing with. Thanks to Jody from '' Welding Tips and Tricks" on youtube I feel like can do a sufficient job at sticking everything back together. The only part that I still need some practice on will be the inverted stuff when I have to lay underneath the fuselage and weld the belly back in.