Upper Rear Fuselage Progress:
After de-skinning the upper rear fuselage and disassembling most of the underlying structure last month, William Lowen has begun assessing the components and refurbishing those which proved restorable. While the upper longerons showed signs of corrosion, the team has yet to decide if there is a viable damage mitigation path, or whether these parts require remanufacturing.
Frame Restoration:
Lowen has progressively stripped and media-blasted fuselage Frames #9 through #15. Rather gratifyingly, Frames #9 to #14 proved to be reusable following corrosion treatment and repairs. Frame #15, however, with areas of corrosion too deep and too numerous to rectify, requires refabrication. So far Lowen has completed his restoration work with Frames #9 through #12. He was also able to refurbish the latch guard which mounts against the righthand longeron.
This is a closeup of the front, righthand face of Frame #11 which reveals a repair riveted into place around a stringer cut out. This repair compensated for minor corrosion issues, as with the other frames. Already primer-painted, the color coat will go on before Pioneer’s engineers rivet the skin onto the fuselage. (Image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
The aft face of Frame #10 with the repair doubler riveted in place under the curved cut out, returning strength to the structure to compensate for minor corrosion issues. The cut out is where the middle of the gun trough is located. Lowen has coated the component in primer paint, but a layer of top coat will be added before riveting the skin onto the fuselage takes place. (Image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
The aft face of Frame #9, primer painted, with its repair clecoed in place and awaiting final riveting. The rectangular cut out is where the forward face for the gun trough is located in the rear cockpit. The line of holes running vertically on either side of the cutout will eventually be shot with rivets when the gun trough is fitted. The lower row of empty rivet holes will be filled when the diaphragm is installed; the diaphragm forming the aft wall of the gunner’s cockpit. This repair returns strength to the frame, compensating for minor corrosion issues. (Image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
This is a closeup of the front, righthand face of Frame #12 which reveals a repair riveted into place around a stringer cut out. This repair compensated for minor corrosion issues, as with the other frames. Already primer-painted, the color coat will go on before Pioneer’s engineers rivet the skin onto the fuselage. (Image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
A photograph depicting the forward face of Frame #15 following bead blasting. Significant corrosion, while difficult to see in this image, was present in numerous areas, with one of the worst being below the middle holes running along the flange. (Image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
This is the aft face of Frame #15 following bead-blasting. Unfortunately this component exhibited corrosion which proved too deep and too widespread to render any viable repair options, thus a replacement will need fabricating. While the corrosion is challenging to discern in this image, two of the worst areas lie beside the curved row of rivet holes along the component’s upper edge. (Image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
The canopy latch guard, mounted to the righthand longeron prior to its removal. For reference, the aft end of the aircraft is to the right of the image; the external skin has already been removed. (Image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
The canopy latch guard awaiting bead-blasting. Minor corrosion is visible in two locations but, following bead-blasting, no further repairs were needed. (Image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
