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I directed the boys in the
shop to fabricate the pilot for the 4018, fashioned the way it looked
when it left the factory in 1941. Wow, this is one of the most difficult
pilots to build, that the boys have ever encountered! Never have they
built a pilot with a rotating cover and coupler. Once the basic frame
was built, the face cover was cut and applied to the frame. I then had
the boys mark off all the elongated holes, drill holes on each end of
the marks, and then make a cut between the holes. A file was used to
clean up each elongated hole on the sides.
Once the holes were cut, I had the boys cut out the rotating cover.
Horizontal plates were cut and attached to the top and bottom of the
rotating cover, as well as the bottom and top of the opening. With the
horizontal plates in place, the rotating cover was put back in the
pilot, and the pivot point was marked on the bottom of the pilot and
drilled. I felt that the boys should measure twice and drill once, as
the placement of the pivot hole is critical. Well, they had one shot at
it, and I am happy to say that they nailed it on the first try!
The coupler was fitted in the pivoting cover and the pin was put in
place. It worked as designed!!! The boys went wild, patting themselves
on the back and celebrating the win! I knew they could do it, but I
still had my doubts they would nail it on the first try. After the boys
settled down, I had them put all the extra details on the pilot, such as
the steps and cutting leavers.
The final task was to mount it to the front engine. The center was
marked off and the height gauges were put in place. The pilot was bonded
to the chassis and the boys called it a day.
I am going to have the boys hang the pumps and build the front shield
next. .
- Barry |
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