I will be replacing the altimeter and the vertical speed indicators to get rid of the radium painted dials. The rest are OK. Although it’s not a huge concern because it’s only two indicators, I want the dials to be white to match the airspeed Indicator and soon to be rescreened tachometer dial.
They used radium-226 paint to make the dials visable at night. These two really light up in the dark after exposure to some light
In place in the panel with one screw at the moment.
Progress on the seats! They’re looking good. Double stitch on the seams. Looks good.
It’s the little things that take some time. So many small items that have to be done. This is one of them. I’m replacing the 70 year old airspeed with a new True Airspeed and I had to get the dial rescreened with the correct ranges. I also changed the new one over to MPH from Knots. I sent it to Precision Dial and they did a great job. I will send other dials there to get updated.
Also, the range markings are painted on the glass in the old Indicator and the glass has rotated, throwing them off and it was not complete with all the marking needed.
New one:
It was in knots:
Current 70 year old airspeed:
As I mentioned in an earlier post I have to replace some hardware holding on the wheel Pant trim pieces. I found some online for a 43-46 ford. They fit a little differently but I think they will work fine.
Top photo shows three of the trim hardware pieces installed in the trim plus the old and new ones.
Middle Photo shows the new trim hardware in the trim.
Bottom Photo show the differences in the hardware.
As it looks today
Their turn to get paint removed.
Cleaning up the second wheel pant and removed pop rivets from the edge supports. Removed the rear support and straightened it out. Ready to properly rivet it in place.
Third photo shows the pop rivets in place.
Fourth photo shows all the pop rivets drilled out and Cleco’s in place.
Last photo shows the beginnings of the crack repair.
A second coat of paint remover on the second wheel pant. This paint is tough.
First wheel pant is clean inside and out. Just needs to be worked over.
Original trim fasteners cleaned up with new nuts. A few fasteners broke coming off so those will be replaced.
