I’m a little envious as well! Most of the aircraft I’ve welded on looked like the attached photos (two PA-12s and a straight 108 Stinson). It’s rare to find one without corrosion, most of it is internal and only becomes visible after wire-wheeling. Two of these aircraft came in as flying airplanes for float fitting installations but escalated into major repairs once corrosion was discovered. (All repairs per AC-43.13)
Welding on tube-type aircraft has taught me a lot about what I want to do on my build. I plan to drill ventilation holes between tubes to prevent moisture buildup and allow linseed oil to flow throughout the fuselage. I’m also considering adding a drain in the lower longeron, similar to the Stinson seaplane STC requirement. (pictured below)
I’m really looking forward to welding on my Five—it will be a relief to work with new, clean metal without linseed oil, primer, or other contamination. If you get practiced up on the Colt tubing, your patrol should be a cakewalk with new material
!
first PA12 (hard landing on floats, rust found during repair)
2nd PA12 (flying aircraft for float fittings)
Stinson straight 108 (flying aircraft for float fittings)
before/in process
after:
