Home   Builder's log

Andy Werback's Legacy Project : In other news...

03 - 22 - 2006

Yes, still waiting for an engine. But, we should have the exhaust back this week and installed for test like maybe this weekend. Golly, time to work in the Lancair again?

** [4/7/06] Well, still not ready. Real soon, though.

In the meantime, I did some research on a project that would take awhile and offer some different challenges. Found a Skybolt for sale, partially completed, in New Hampshire. John LaBelle has been building airplanes for years, this was his third Skybolt, but he wasn't going to finish it. The welding has been done, lower wings assembled, price was right, and lots of parts came with it.

Since we had several friends/relatives, driving the truck cross country seemed like a good idea, so that's what we did! 3500 miles, 7 days, and $1150 worth of diesel later...

IMG_1061.jpg
We loaded up the 24' truck with the entire contents of John's garage

IMG_1063.jpg
Boxes of spare parts, the fuselage on a rotisserie, lower wings, no problem

Scan0006.jpg
John makes Airplanes. These are Large RC models of a DHC-6, DC-4, Stearman

Scan0007.jpg
Yes, the DC-4 will have all 4 engines running when it flies

Scan0010.jpg
Off we went, first stop was the Air Force Museum. It's Huge - 3 hangers, working on a fourth!

Scan0011.jpg
Everything is in here - B52, B36, even a B1 and a B2!

Scan0012.jpg
My favorite - the B58 Hustler

Scan0013.jpg
In my previous career I worked on Radar Warning Systems. This is in the ALR-46 in the F4

Scan0014.jpg
Next stop was to visit Mark Sletten - He's also building a Lancair Legacy. Where's the sanding, Mark?

IMG_1082.jpg
Then to Missouri to Meremec Caverns. Biggest cave I've ever been in. Spectacular!

IMG_1083.jpg
The Pipe Organ room. Natural beauty

IMG_1085.jpg
Now to Fort Leonard Wood. Daughter Katie is taking the Engineering Officer Basic Course, then off to the 3rd Infantry Division in Georgia

IMG_1086.jpg
Studying for an exam with Chris. They keep very busy (definitely a good idea)

IMG_1087.jpg
Next stop was cousin Carol and husband Rudy, also in Missouri. They've built a farm. Rudy also does restorations. This is a 54 Chevy that he shows

Scan0015.jpg
After endless miles across Oklahoma (no rain), Texas and New Mexico, finally got to Petrified Forest National Park and the Painted Desert

Scan0016.jpg
Sure wish we visitors hadn't trashed this place so much over the years, but still pretty impressive


Home   Builder's log

All content not otherwise protected is © 2004 - 2024 by Andy Werback
EAA Chapter 62 provides this builder's log as a service to its members so that those who would like to build an aricraft can learn from those that do.
Questions and Feedback can be sent to Webmaster.

Web hosting donated by Hurricane Electric.