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Author Topic: Oldbaldguy is a new guy  (Read 4174 times)

Offline Oldbaldguy

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  • Registration number: N15DC
  • Call sign: None
  • Stationned at airfield: Rome, Georgia, USA
Oldbaldguy is a new guy
« on: 31 January 2012, 22:26 »
Hey from Rome, Georgia, USA.  I recently bought ASW-15B N15DC, Sr #15230, after it sat in its trailer at the Rome airport for at least a decade and probably much longer.  The trailer is in such bad shape that when we pulled the airplane out, the plywood bottom fell out.  The glider is filthy and, as far as I can tell, nothing on it works except the landing gear.  All the fabric and rubber parts in the cockpit are dry-rotted.  Its last annual was in 1985 and its last flight was in 1986.  Apparently it was put away in 86 and has not seen the light of day since.  The spar AD has not been accomplished.  I'm about half way thru overhauling the dollies and such, which will be followed by a complete rebuild of the trailer.  Once this is done, I ought to be in a position to haul it to someone who can do the AD and bring the thing back to flying status.  I'm not a glider pilot, BTW, at least not yet.  I talked the previous owner out of it because I hate to see a good airplane slowly return to nature thru neglect.  The coolest thing about it so far is being able to slide my hand along the fusleage spine while it sits in my hangar -- very sensuous.  Rome is about equi-distant from Moontown and Chilhowee and I often fly my 1946 Piper PA-12 in those necks of the woods.  I'll try to stop in one of these days if it looks like there is something going on.

Offline Rick Barber

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  • Posts: 38
  • I post to OLC with Hole In The Wall
  • Registration number: N15BT
  • Call sign: GWZ
  • Stationned at airfield: Warner Spings USA
Re: Oldbaldguy is a new guy
« Reply #1 on: 01 February 2012, 22:39 »
Congratulations on your purchase and your desire to get an old bird flying again! If you are successful, you will have a sweet flying plane.

Your situation is similar to mine. I found N15BT sitting in its trailer at Hemet, Ca after 10 years. When I opened the trailer the first time, the plane was so filthy I didn't think it was worth purchasing. It sure cleaned up nice though. I spent about 6 months going through the plane and trailer before it was ready to fly. Luckily, mine had the AD done and the trailer wasn't in too bad of shape. Anyway, I love the plane and we have had many adventures together.

Best of luck and let us know how the restorations go.

Rick

Offline Oldbaldguy

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  • Posts: 20
  • Registration number: N15DC
  • Call sign: None
  • Stationned at airfield: Rome, Georgia, USA
Re: Oldbaldguy is a new guy
« Reply #2 on: 02 February 2012, 04:21 »
Hey, Rick.  Appreciate the supporting words.  Sometimes I wonder what I've gotten myself into.  Not only do I have to learn a whole new way of life, I also have to overcome the idea that flying around without a motor is not only possible but fun.  The jury is still out on that one.  Still, it's a pretty cool looking airplane.

OBG

Offline Johan van Ravenzwaaij

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  • Stationned at airfield: Terlet, Gelderland, The Netherlands
Re: Oldbaldguy is a new guy
« Reply #3 on: 02 February 2012, 06:59 »
Any pictures of the situation the asw15 was in?  :'(
Conquer the skies with the Gelderse Soaring Club

Offline Rick Barber

  • Gold Member
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  • Posts: 38
  • I post to OLC with Hole In The Wall
  • Registration number: N15BT
  • Call sign: GWZ
  • Stationned at airfield: Warner Spings USA
Re: Oldbaldguy is a new guy
« Reply #4 on: 04 February 2012, 06:01 »
Hey OBG,

No pictures from when I first got her. Once I took off all the dirt I found GWZ was in pretty good shape. We took her apart and went through her internally. We found a bent landing gear rod and got that straightened. We took out the center of gravity tow hook and replaced the chin hook. Since the 15 has the spar AD, we took out all of the water plumbing to ensure no water leakage. I had a crack in the gel coat on the fuselage directly above where the spar enters that we had repaired. I replaced the rear tire with a roller blade wheel. Overall, not too bad. I spent more time on the trailer and fixtures than I did on the plane. By the way, what type of trailer did you get?


 

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