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Initial
Disassembly.
Wing removal was a bit more difficult with the aircraft on floats; however, the plane would be some 250 lbs. lighter when it came time to remove the floats. One should also consider that when hoisting from the engine mount the tail is quite heavy with the wings installed - certainly a two man job. The only problem removing the wings first is that the plane is hard to secure (pendulous) once the gear are off. To see how we removed the floats and installed the landing gear click on the appropriate button on the menu to the left.
The engine was left on until the landing gear was changed as the engine mount is the hoisting point on the Stinson. Now that the aircraft is on wheels we removed the engine using our Cherry Picker (engine hoist). This tool was one of our best investments for the project - using it for float to wheel changeover and engine removal and installation. If you don't have one - think about buying... only $300 Canadian, what's that, about $20 US ... they're practically giving them away.
After careful measurement we found we could get adequate lift with the hoist mounted to our motorcycle trailer. Now we simply dropped.... gently set... the engine on the trailer and drove home with the hoist still holding the bulk of the weight.
Towing the fuselage is really a non-event. A simple modification to a tow hitch will allow it to be bolted to the tail spring once the wheel is removed. Tail weight was a bit more than we expected with the engine removed. This wouldn't be a problem on the trip back to the airport as the new engine would be installed.
Installation of signal lights on the chance we might encounter the Mounted Police enroute. We also made the trip at the crack of dawn on a Sunday.
Home unscathed. Really wish I'd purchased a larger garage! With the antenna and tailwheel removed the aircraft fit in with room for one car... just.
Now the real work starts. Dave Miller |
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