Precedent T180 Restoration

[messyhead]

Hey folks. I've wanted to fly a balsa, IC engined plane for a while. So recently I picked up a built Precedent T180. These were kits made by Balsa International, but they're no longer available.

Th only history I have of this plane, is that it was hung up on a pub ceiling. That's it. No idea if it was flown, or crashed, or anything.

I'm an amateur builder when it comes to balsa. But I can already see some things that make me think it wasn't flown, or at least not successfully flown.

Anyway, I'm going to document the rebuild process here.

Here's some pics of its current condition

 

[speedbirdted]

To me it looks at least like it's had some kind of engine mounted to it and ran at some point, from the engine mount being drilled and having markings from engine lugs on it, and the browning on the forward fuselage and gear fairing from oil accumulation. I'm thinking it was maybe also a four stroke judging by the throttle linkage (most of them have the carbs mounted behind the cylinder, and the linkage ends there) It's difficult to tell if it's flown though as often this will not leave anything other than crash damage on an airframe, only if it suffers such an event. That little hole in the tail could have been caused by any number of things.

Speaking of oil; if any of the balsa in the forward fuselage is oil soaked, you'll want to at least try to remove the oil. In really severe cases you may have to replace wood. My go-to method to de-oil wood is degreaser and baby powder. Just spray the degreaser on and apply the baby powder over top of it, and then wait 2 or 3 days; the oil will be sucked out of the wood and then everything can be wiped off. You will be able to tell once the baby powder becomes a little clumpy. For plywood, wait a week; it takes longer to give up oil and may need the degreaser and baby powder re-applied.

Alternatively you can use kitty litter, but it doesn't work nearly as well. Diatomaceous earth works really well (it's used to clean drinking water and remove oil spills from concrete) but it's sometimes difficult to find. Here in the US we have something called K2R which smells absolutely terrible but also works great as a cleaner and is nice because it doesn't need the degreaser.

Other than that I don't see anything inherently wrong with it. Seems to have been built a bit messily but sound.

 

[messyhead]

Thanks for the degreasing tip. I'll check the front when I've taken the covering off.

I started inspecting the wing last night. I removed the control horn screws. They were really loose, and one one side not fully tightened into solid wood. The ailerons are not moving smoothly, with the inner edges of the aileron rubbing on the wing. 2 of the hinges are loose, so only held in with one hinge.

I'm going to remove the wing covering today, so I'll see what it's like inside.

 

[Piotrsko]

Looks typical for construction from 30 + years ago dated by the servos. Add some hangar rash and that's what you have. Probably flown sucessfully a couple of times. I would guess glow fuel as the 4stroke craze was just starting then and the engines were crazy expensive (like $150 or a weeks wages)

 

[messyhead]

Hi folks. I've been working away on this build for the past few months. I'm now at the point of needing an engine to get it finished off.

I've been posting progress on my instagram rc_plane_adventures. Below is a selection of some progress photos.

The main build effort was in the tail. The old tail looked to have been broken off and badly repaired at some point. So I had to build a new one from the plans rather than try and repair it.




Another change was moving the aileron servos to the wings and mounting them on servo plates. I also glassed the wing joint as it was a bit flexible.



I built a new servo tray.



Other than a general cleanup, paint, and recover, I've not had to do much else.



I originally was going to go with a SC46S engine, and the one I have is a good runner. But in discussion with other builders, it was pointed out that it wouldn't be up to the job. So I picked up a Super Tigre G75K. However it was difficult to get started, and didn't run reliably. So I stripped it, and found it hadn't been stored with oil, and there was some light surface rust. I've cleaned it up, and fitted new bearings. Just waiting on a new piston ring and get it running again. I could also do with an exhaust - but the pitts style one that came with it might be ok once I've got it running again.



I am however needing to shorten the box at the front. So that's next.

Using this engine, meant that the cowl was about an inch too short. The model came with a 60 size mount, so it's possible the cowl never fitted. It didn't come with one. Some other builders had pointed out that the nose was too long. When I checked build photos of other T180's, this confirmed it, that for whatever reason, the previous builder made it about 1.5 inches too long. Maybe it was for balance, or a bigger fuel tank. But it needs shortened.

 

[Matthewdupreez]

Hi folks. I've been working away on this build for the past few months. I'm now at the point of needing an engine to get it finished off.

I've been posting progress on my instagram rc_plane_adventures. Below is a selection of some progress photos.

The main build effort was in the tail. The old tail looked to have been broken off and badly repaired at some point. So I had to build a new one from the plans rather than try and repair it.

View attachment 207961 View attachment 207962 View attachment 207963 View attachment 207964 View attachment 207966 View attachment 207965 View attachment 207967
View attachment 207968 View attachment 207970 View attachment 207971 View attachment 207972

Another change was moving the aileron servos to the wings and mounting them on servo plates. I also glassed the wing joint as it was a bit flexible.

View attachment 207973 View attachment 207974 View attachment 207975 View attachment 207976 View attachment 207977 View attachment 207978

I built a new servo tray.

View attachment 207979

Other than a general cleanup, paint, and recover, I've not had to do much else.

View attachment 207991 View attachment 207984 View attachment 207985 View attachment 207986 View attachment 207987 View attachment 207988 View attachment 207989 View attachment 207990 View attachment 207994 View attachment 207995

I originally was going to go with a SC46S engine, and the one I have is a good runner. But in discussion with other builders, it was pointed out that it wouldn't be up to the job. So I picked up a Super Tigre G75K. However it was difficult to get started, and didn't run reliably. So I stripped it, and found it hadn't been stored with oil, and there was some light surface rust. I've cleaned it up, and fitted new bearings. Just waiting on a new piston ring and get it running again. I could also do with an exhaust - but the pitts style one that came with it might be ok once I've got it running again.

View attachment 207996 View attachment 207997 View attachment 207998 View attachment 207999 View attachment 208000 View attachment 208003 View attachment 208004 View attachment 208002 View attachment 208001

I am however needing to shorten the box at the front. So that's next.

Using this engine, meant that the cowl was about an inch too short. The model came with a 60 size mount, so it's possible the cowl never fitted. It didn't come with one. Some other builders had pointed out that the nose was too long. When I checked build photos of other T180's, this confirmed it, that for whatever reason, the previous builder made it about 1.5 inches too long. Maybe it was for balance, or a bigger fuel tank. But it needs shortened.

View attachment 207992 View attachment 207993

Cool.. I'm getting a bunch of balsa planes soon... 3 or 4... The one has been flown before.. but the others are half finished projects

 

[messyhead]

Cool.. I'm getting a bunch of balsa planes soon... 3 or 4... The one has been flown before.. but the others are half finished projects

Nice, which ones?

I've also got this Miles Aerovan M57 waiting to be finished. It was a project I bought from my local hobby store owner, who was selling it from the estate of a local flyer that passed away. That's probably going to be my winter project.

 

[Matthewdupreez]

The ones in the foreground...

 

[messyhead]

I need some engine opinions for this build. I don’t think I’ll be able to get a replacement piston ring for the G75, so looking at other options.

I’ve got my eye on an old, but low hours, Super Tigre S61. I’m also considering an OS 55AX that’s new.

From what I’ve read, the OS one has plenty of grunt. I was advised that this model would be better with round about a 60size, so that’s why I’m also considering the ST61. But it’s also bigger and heavier, the OS fits in a 40-46 mount.

The OS is double the price of the ST.

Any thoughts on which you’d go for?

 

[Matthewdupreez]

Mo Power 😋

 

[messyhead]

Mo Power 😋

I don’t know if the old S61 has more power than the new 55AX though.

 

[messyhead]

I worked on the nose this week, and shortened it.



I also got a new piston ring for the old G75. But while I was waiting for that, I managed to get hold of a new-in-box, unrun G75!

So I’ve now got 2. If I get the old one running well, I might just sell it.



So I just need to do all the engine plumbing, and it’ll be done.

 

[messyhead]

I ran in the G75 today. Gave it a 5 minute rich run, so I now need to tune it.

Also finished the fuel plumbing, so it just needs the engine fitted and balanced and it’s done.

 

[messyhead]

I put the engine on and ran it, so it's pretty much ready to fly now. The maiden might be a while though as I still need to do my BMFA bronze cert. I've joined my local club, so hopefully should be able to get some flying in soon. I might ask one of the club members to fly it for the maiden.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CVQBD5SIBf_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link