Jim Jones

Jeff, glad to hear the Restoration is complete. If the rigging was done according to the manual, that is, it has the correct dihedral in the upper wing and all the control surfaces are set per the manual the only thing left is to make sure all wires are properly tightened and go fly it to see how it worked out. May need to adjust the trailing edge…[Read more]

Update on grease for the Warner 145. After my engine swallowed an exhaust valve two years ago, my protocol for greasing this engine has gone through a tremendous evaluation. I spent a great deal of time with my engine overhauler. While his forte is the Warner 165, he did some research on greases and their stability in the 145. He rebuilt my…[Read more]

The OTW manual contains drawings of how the panels were originally laid out, complete with placards. Most panels have been modified over the years, some beyond recognition! I can supply a manual or pics of my panel if that would help.

Dick, yes, boots were used, primarily, to keep dirt out of that bronze trunion bearing around the shock strut. Barg has the pattern for the boot….. somewhere.

Walk out front of your plane and look at it. Is it standing level or is one wing much lower than the other? Also, you tires should be vertical. If the top of the tire is leaning in, that could be a weak spring. For the tail, I don’t remember the exact measurement, but the trailing edge of the elevator should be about 11 or so inches off the…[Read more]

Donald, it’s an honor to know someone that knew someone that knew Charles Lindbergh! That’s quite a story.

As far as three pointing the airplane, I try to do that on the grass. I’ve tried on hard surface but it’s not pretty. My now deceased friend, Captain Chuck Downey, who flew Helldivers in WWII off the USS Ticonderoga, three pointed no matter…[Read more]

The only alternative to crawling back to the tail and greasing it from the inside is to grease it from the outside. First, I found a few things that make greasing from the inside a bit easier. Raise the tail to level, remove belt, shoes and anything that will get caught on anything and make sure you have everything before you go in! While in…[Read more]

The only alternative to crawling back to the tail and greasing it from the inside is to grease it from the outside. First, I found a few things that make greasing from the inside a bit easier. Raise the tail to level, remove belt, shoes and anything that will get caught on anything and make sure you have everything before you go in! While in…[Read more]

Donald,

Congrats to your dad for restoring and preserving a great piece of American aviation history! I’m glad that your OTW is alive and well. With your experience you shouldn’t have any problems with the OTW on pavement. If you can fly a Champ, you can fly the OTW. It’s an elegant lady!

In lieu of a published crosswind component, it comes down…[Read more]