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After the engine was removed and placed on the tire, I returned to the hangar the following weekend to find a small pool of oil. We relifted the motor and found it was the prop seal. We kitty littered and placed it more horizontally to prevent further leakage. We’ll fix that before sale and all will be merry.

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We removed the old boat anchor Delco-Remy starter to allow the engine to sit on a tire, and then we removed the engine and engine mount from the airframe. We want to replace the starter with a Skytec, so this will end up in the corner of the hangar. We have a vertical engine stand for the motor but ran out of time. It should be mounted up next time we meander to the hangar.

Removing the engine allows for paint prep, the finishing of the firewall, routing of fuel lines and frees up the engine for either build up or sale. I’d like an IO-360 Parallel valve with a solid prop flange instead of this angle valve, and selling this core could free up capital to finish the airframe. Decisions decisions.

This marks the first time we have turned a wrench on this airplane since getting to the hangar, so these are my first hours building in nearly two years. Nearly shameful.

Starter removal: 30m

Engine pull: 1h:30m

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Mom found more of my Dad’s Pitts swag. These will look nice in the hangar!

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Special thanks to the love of my life for the opportunity to come back to OSH this year. She bought the plane tickets to make this happen, even when I had no expectation of coming back. She’s the true MVP behind this build and I cannot thank her enough for her support.

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2nd Oshkosh was a success! We saw some stuff, met some people, and bought some parts. What an event! Thanks EAA!!

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The last notable thing we got from Biplane Forums was a set of 4 flying wires, complete with clevis’s. These are used and were taken off another Pitts. The nuts will be cleaned up and clevis’s inspected for wear when I get to the airport. Of course, I picked these up for a fraction of what new wires cost so I’m not too worried about some dirty nuts (haha.) Now all I need is the landing wires and I’ll be in business! Thanks again Justin who made this happen.

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Along with the fuel shroud, I bought some AeroGraphic streamlined cowls from Justin (Thanks!) on Biplane Forums. These are made in the UK and really clean up the “cowl cheeks” most stock Pitts have. I have never minded the cheeks, but I love the cleanliness these bring. And lastly, thanks Wayne Cole in my EAA chapter for the donation of some clecos and cleco pliers!

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Purchased some parts off of Biplane Forums. Thanks Justin! This one is self-explanatory since it is labeled.

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We rolled out the S1 for the Hidden Lake Spring Picnic today. Shes a proud bird. Feat. Joey applying full aft elevator prior to taxi. 3 years old and he has better technique than some nosedragger pilots!

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I received my order from Wicks! I got them in the mail a while back, but I have been busy with work and moving and could not find the time to post. Sun N’ Fun came and went and I got to see some amazing aircraft, along with spending some great times with my EAA chapter. I also scored a new B&C SD-8 alternator at the show, which tickled me pink. I love a decent deal! Lastly, I picked up an Airpath C2300 unlit whiskey compass at the Chief aircraft tent. I carried it like an egg and put it in a safe spot in the trailer for the remainder of the show. When I got home, I noticed a tiny hairline crack in the corner of the viewing glass. Small enough where the fluid did not come out, but large enough to drive me bonkers if I did not get it replaced. So, I called up Chief and got ahold of Kurt in their parts department. He immediately grabbed one from their stock and promised to send it out in the morning with approval from his boss. Customer service for days, boy I tell you what. Very pleased with their service, and when I get the rest of my avionics I know who I’m going to call. — Update: I received the replacement compass promptly. Thanks Kurt! -Glenn

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Hello, Today is February 10, and after waiting a couple months, Wicks still hasn’t been able to procure the three fittings I ordered on 12/10. They said it should be in by the end of the month... Very friendly guys, they know me by name now due to these pesky fittings. My build is pretty lax timeline wise so I’m not making a stink over it, but I could see where someone in a rush would be annoyed. Pictured are two other backordered that fittings I had order and received from Aircraft Spruce. In other news, I have purchased a 450pc craftsman tool set. Not the nicest tools but certainly not the worst. Next I have some screwdrivers, number drills, and some power tools to purchase. It never stops! In regards to life, my fiancee and I have purchased a house and we close at the end of this month. The house is closer to the hangar so maybe I’ll be able to sneak over more often. One can hope, right?

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Oshkosh19

So Lara and I have done a thing.

Lara found a deal on flight on American Airlines to Chicago on the week of the show... so it was one of those “you’d be dumb not to” things and we jumped on it. So at this point we’ve also purchased our tickets and parking, we booked a rental car, and have reserved a room at the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh. This has (understandably) eaten up some of my parts budget, but its definitely well worth it. After OSH18, we seem to have started a tradition here... and I hope it is something that continues. Nothing like collaborative culture to learn how to build an airplane. I will also be going back to OSH as an officer for my EAA chapter, which is kind of neat. I look forward to taking pictures and perhaps meeting as a chapter, as I’ve already heard from some of my chaptermates who are attending this year as well. Lots of exciting things happening, maybe I can touch on that more at a later date.

As for the airplane, I am expecting five (5) more backordered AN fittings from Aircraft Spruce and Wicks, and when I recieve those I’ll update. I recently recieved my first aluminum tubing order as well, to get a start on the landing gear brake lines and fuel tank vent. Next I plan on looking over the plans again and starting the ordering process for fuel system from the firewall back.

-Glenn

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Labeled the fittings and hardware. Shouts out to my boy Mike for helping me out around the shop today.

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Tools! A radius shrinker for making the lip on the stainless firewall and a bending brake to shape aluminum panels. The small drill press behind the brake is for small parts fabrication. Harbor Freight is your friend for some of the tools you’ll only use once or twice.

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Them fittings though... only a few more!

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Flop tube adapter that fits into the tank and the 37* Tube flaring tool in the background. Followed by the standard 125micron Airflow Performance fuel filter. More parts are on their way from Wicks. and I’ll be moving onto the next part of the fuel system shortly.

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Moving from the bottom down, the first photo has a part I haven’t identified yet. The red curved part is the lower bracket that holds the rudder in place. The next photo is a mystery as well. Another Pitts owner I know told me it was I-strut fairings, but they don’t look like the ones I’ve seen in person and theres not a full set. So its a mystery how Dad came across them. I also do not know what the tubing above them is. Next up is the parts rack showing off the prop, wing tank and fiberglass parts. Lastly is what I have of the I-strut assembly, and the Pitot tube I purchased at Sun n’ Fun 2018. More to come soon.