Fabric specialists....

Ok, an odd question for the experts. I have found a little Baby Ace that has been lanquishing at a local private field. It has sat so long that moss is growing on some of the wing surfaces. To me, that says "recover me" and my offer took that cost into account. The owner (widow) has a friend of her late husbands that says "BS", no problem, wash/scrape off the moss and fly the plane. I did some digging around online and did not find anything, my posterior, the one that will be sitting the pilots seat, says don't take a chance, recover. I would like to show the lady that I am doing this as necessary maintenance, not just trying to get a lower price. (Tho recover/repaint will probably be north of $1500), and as my last name is not Trump, I must offer what the bird is actually worth. Fabric did pass the punch test (think it is Ceconite), but just the though of having a fabric failure is enough excitement to me. Anyone have anything definitive on such a subject? Many thanks for any info!

Derswede

I'd say she had your offer and she can either accept it or reject it. Deceased hubby's buddy can put his posterior in the seat without a teardown and recover if he wants to. For me, moss on the airplane indicates a total teardown and inspection before I would even taxi it.

Recover and paint will be waaaay beyond $1500.....probably beyond the 'market' value of the plane.

Thanks for the input, Craig & Sam. I would hope that the major recover part would be wings only, as the tail feathers and fuselage look good, so think I can do the wings for $1500 or so. It looks more like a case of "can't let go". The engine will need a top overhaul as well. I have a friend who is an A&P who is going to help on the engine overhaul. Waiting to see the logs and paperwork now. Still needing to go thru more points on the airplane. Still working on getting the T-Craft. Hate having to working so much about $ when it comes to airplanes.

So this is what you are looking at:

A wood wing aircraft that has been abandoned so long moss is growing on the fabric. It could very well be the fabric is the least problem with those wings....moss means abundant moisture.

A steel fuselage that has been....(see above...).

An engine that at the very least needs a top overhaul, but has been abandoned (see above....).

You must really want this airplane. :)

Best wishes on your pursuit of your own aircraft, but this one sounds very suspect unless you want to possibly do a complete rebuild. Total rebuilds are often more time-consuming and $$$$$ than building a fresh aircraft.

Yea, Sam, but it is such a PRETTY thing...can I pleeezzz take it home??? :-) :-)
I hate seeing such things sitting and rotting away, I'm more interested in the 85 Conti it has as I am trying to get my hands on a T-Craft (with a 65C) at present and have a person who would like the air-frame to finish their Baby Ace. Rather see it broken up than scrapped. I've pulled too many old birds out of barns in my life...!

Derswede

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Derswede

Yea, Sam, but it is such a PRETTY thing...can I pleeezzz take it home??? :-) :-)
I hate seeing such things sitting and rotting away, I'm more interested in the 85 Conti it has as I am trying to get my hands on a T-Craft (with a 65C) at present and have a person who would like the air-frame to finish their Baby Ace. Rather see it broken up than scrapped. I've pulled too many old birds out of barns in my life...!

Derswede

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Sounds like a plan.

I saw this on Barnstormers: ENCLOSED CABIN CORBEN BABY ACE • $4,500 • CLEANING OUT THE BARN • Built 1969. A65-8; 745 TTAF, 1783 TTE. Disassembled, needs a bit of TLC. Email for photos and info. • Contact Andy Gelston, Friend of Owner - located Grantham, NH USA • Telephone: 603-863-6687 • Posted February 21, 2016

Probably be a LOT less work, but no C85 for you Tcraft...