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
BAPA's workshop use traditional and modern techniques to enable de best restoration. 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
Restoration of dashboard and throttle.
Slingsby T38 Grasshopper
Done:
- Cleaning and repair of the ailerons
- Complete rebuilt of the of stabilizer, that was falling apart
- Complete rebuilt of the heavily damaged rudder
- Cleaning and repair of the fuselage
- Complete reassembly and fuselage fitting
Current:
- Cleaning and repair of the much damaged wings
Next steps:
- Fabric covering of the wings, ailerons, stabilizer and rudder
Expected completion date: September 2018
Done:
- Cleaning and repair of the ailerons
- Complete rebuilt of the of stabilizer, that was falling apart
- Complete rebuilt of the heavily damaged rudder
- Cleaning and repair of the fuselage
- Complete reassembly and fuselage fitting
Current:
- Cleaning and repair of the much damaged wings
Next steps:
- Fabric covering of the wings, ailerons, stabilizer and rudder
Expected completion date: September 2018
Sablier Type 8 Sport Chanute
Done:
- Manufacture of the wing structures
- Installation of the spring fasteners
- Wing struts adjustments
- Manufacture of the stabilizer
Current:
- Fabric covering of the wings and stabilizer
Next steps:
- Display
Expected completion date: September 2017
Done:
- Manufacture of the wing structures
- Installation of the spring fasteners
- Wing struts adjustments
- Manufacture of the stabilizer
Current:
- Fabric covering of the wings and stabilizer
Next steps:
- Display
Expected completion date: September 2017
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
- Final fitting and installation for display
Current:
- Displayed at workshop
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
- Final fitting and installation for display
Current:
- Displayed at workshop
Max Williams 29 Jeunesse (modified)
Done:
- Evaluation of damages + first estimation of required works
- Cleaning of fuselage
- Inpection of structures
- Remove the old fabric covering of all structures
- Cleaning and painting of metal parts
Current:
- Installation of a new fabric covering
- Restoration of cables
To do:
- Final fitting for display
First display expected : decembre 2017
Done:
- Evaluation of damages + first estimation of required works
- Cleaning of fuselage
- Inpection of structures
- Remove the old fabric covering of all structures
- Cleaning and painting of metal parts
Current:
- Installation of a new fabric covering
- Restoration of cables
To do:
- Final fitting for display
First display expected : decembre 2017
Tipsy Trainer
Done:
- Registration of the plane (OO-DRY)
- Flight Document Collection
- Evaluation of damages + first estimation of required works
- Remove the old fabric covering of all structures
Current:
- Cleaning of fuselage
- Disassembly and complete cleaning of metal parts
To do:
- Replacement of damaged fuselage parts
- Inspection of structural parts for aeronautical certification
- Mikron engine maintenance
- Assembly of fuselage and wings
- Installation of a new fabric covering
- Painting
- Installation of Flight Instruments
- aeronautical certification
First fly : -
Done:
- Registration of the plane (OO-DRY)
- Flight Document Collection
- Evaluation of damages + first estimation of required works
- Remove the old fabric covering of all structures
Current:
- Cleaning of fuselage
- Disassembly and complete cleaning of metal parts
To do:
- Replacement of damaged fuselage parts
- Inspection of structural parts for aeronautical certification
- Mikron engine maintenance
- Assembly of fuselage and wings
- Installation of a new fabric covering
- Painting
- Installation of Flight Instruments
- aeronautical certification
First fly : -
Slingsby T3 Dagling
Done:
- Reception of the glider in spare parts
- Inspection and identification of parts
- Indetification of missing parts
- Cleaning, assembly and painting of fuselage
- Cleaning of ailerons
- Cleaning of stabilizator
- Cleaning of rudder
- Restoration of cables
Current:
- Installation of a new fabric covering
- Painting
To do:
- Reconstruction of wings (spare parts and not complete)
- Final fitting for display
First display expected : september 2018
Done:
- Reception of the glider in spare parts
- Inspection and identification of parts
- Indetification of missing parts
- Cleaning, assembly and painting of fuselage
- Cleaning of ailerons
- Cleaning of stabilizator
- Cleaning of rudder
- Restoration of cables
Current:
- Installation of a new fabric covering
- Painting
To do:
- Reconstruction of wings (spare parts and not complete)
- Final fitting for display
First display expected : september 2018