Workshop
A workshop is a place where you will find lots of tools, but also humanity.
Georges Pradez was a radio presenter at the Belgian national radio as well as a talented scale modeler and an aviation fanatic. He was also an aviation storyteller and a source of ideas. From the creation of our association, he was always there when help was needed. When he passed away, we decided to give his name to BAPA’s workshop and a plate wearing his name was unveiled with members of his family and friends in attendance.
Georges Pradez was a radio presenter at the Belgian national radio as well as a talented scale modeler and an aviation fanatic. He was also an aviation storyteller and a source of ideas. From the creation of our association, he was always there when help was needed. When he passed away, we decided to give his name to BAPA’s workshop and a plate wearing his name was unveiled with members of his family and friends in attendance.
There are some of the projects on which we are currently working
Everything is done in order to put those airplanes as much as possible back in their original configuration. For this purpose we purchase genuine spare parts whenever possible (it is a question of availability…. or cost) or we manufacture new ones using the same material and the original maintenance/repair manuals and manufacturer drawings. Traditional as well as modern techniques (like laser cutting) are used. If most of the machines repaired in the workshop are not to fly again some, like the Tipsy Belfair, will.
Repairs are done whenever possible and new components are manufactured using the old one as a pattern when damages are too important. To this purpose, BAPA collect and/or buy all the necessary drawings.
B25 Mitchell
Work is currently concentrated on the forward fuselage section, undercarriage and engines:
Work is currently concentrated on the forward fuselage section, undercarriage and engines:
Done:
Purchase of two Wright 2600 engines (August 2014)
Purchase of original radio equipment (Juny 2015)
In order to treat the corrosion in the forward fuselage, many components had to be removed to allow full access
The window frames of the bombardier’s compartment have been repaired.
Purchase and installation of a gantry to start working on the recently acquired engines
Current:
One volunteer started to fully refurbish the undercarriage. A long and painstaking task.
A procedure has been created to record the work performed. Any action on the aircraft has to be described in his logbook
Restoration of the forward fuselage skin panel by panel
Restoration of the inner part of forward fuselage: cleaning, replacement of corroded components, painting.
Replacement of windows of the bombardier’s compartment
Use of original drawings to design and make the new bombardier’s compartment floor and the shield of cockpit
Use of original drawings to design and make the new bombardier’s compartment floor and the shield of cockpit
Slingsby T38 Grasshopper
Done:
- Cleaning and repair of the ailerons
- Complete rebuilt of the of stabilizer, that was falling apart
Current:
- Cleaning and repair of the much damaged wings
- Complete rebuilt of the heavily damaged rudder
- Cleaning and repair of the fuselage
Next steps:
- Fabric covering of the wings, ailerons, stabilizer and rudder
- Complete reassembly and adjustments
Expected completion date: September 2016
Done:
- Cleaning and repair of the ailerons
- Complete rebuilt of the of stabilizer, that was falling apart
Current:
- Cleaning and repair of the much damaged wings
- Complete rebuilt of the heavily damaged rudder
- Cleaning and repair of the fuselage
Next steps:
- Fabric covering of the wings, ailerons, stabilizer and rudder
- Complete reassembly and adjustments
Expected completion date: September 2016
Sablier Type 8 Sport Chanute
Done:
- Manufacture of the wing structures
- Installation of the spring fasteners
- Wing struts adjustments
Current:
- Manufacture of the stabilizer
Next steps:
- Fabric covering of the wings and stabilizer
Expected completion date: September 2016
Done:
- Manufacture of the wing structures
- Installation of the spring fasteners
- Wing struts adjustments
Current:
- Manufacture of the stabilizer
Next steps:
- Fabric covering of the wings and stabilizer
Expected completion date: September 2016
Flying Flea HM14
Done:
- Fuselage cleaning and painting
- Engine support structures replacement
- Engine purchase, refurbishing and installation
- Restoration of dashboard
- Undercarriage with original wheels
- Repair of a retrieved set of wings and painting
- New rudder construction
- Fabric covering of the rudder and painting
Current:
- Final fitting and installation for display
Next steps:
First display for public : september 2016
Done:
- Fuselage cleaning and painting
- Engine support structures replacement
- Engine purchase, refurbishing and installation
- Restoration of dashboard
- Undercarriage with original wheels
- Repair of a retrieved set of wings and painting
- New rudder construction
- Fabric covering of the rudder and painting
Current:
- Final fitting and installation for display
Next steps:
First display for public : september 2016
Max Williams 29 Jeunesse (modified)
Done:
- Evaluation of damages + first estimation of required works
Current:
- Inpection of structures
- Cleaning of fuselage
- Remove the old fabric covering of all structures
To do:
- Restoration of cables
- Installation of a new fabric covering
First display expected : september 2017
Done:
- Evaluation of damages + first estimation of required works
Current:
- Inpection of structures
- Cleaning of fuselage
- Remove the old fabric covering of all structures
To do:
- Restoration of cables
- Installation of a new fabric covering
First display expected : september 2017
Max Williams 29 Jeunesse (modified)
Done:
- Evaluation of damages + first estimation of required works
Current:
- Inpection of structures
- Cleaning of fuselage
- Remove the old fabric covering of all structures
To do:
- Restoration of cables
- Installation of a new fabric covering
First display expected : september 2017
Done:
- Evaluation of damages + first estimation of required works
Current:
- Inpection of structures
- Cleaning of fuselage
- Remove the old fabric covering of all structures
To do:
- Restoration of cables
- Installation of a new fabric covering
First display expected : september 2017
Max Williams 29 Jeunesse (modified)
Done:
- Evaluation of damages + first estimation of required works
Current:
- Inpection of structures
- Cleaning of fuselage
- Remove the old fabric covering of all structures
To do:
- Restoration of cables
- Installation of a new fabric covering
First display expected : september 2017
Done:
- Evaluation of damages + first estimation of required works
Current:
- Inpection of structures
- Cleaning of fuselage
- Remove the old fabric covering of all structures
To do:
- Restoration of cables
- Installation of a new fabric covering
First display expected : september 2017