Blue light special

C-3 cockpit illumination with blue fluorescent & white moonbeam lights.

We got our C-3 cockpit lights working this week.  There are two 4” blue, fluorescent lamps each with adjustable ultraviolet filter; they are intended to improve instrument clarity.  We were amazed that the two fluorescent lamps and their associated starters still worked after all these years.  There are also two white “moonbeam” cockpit lights for general cockpit lighting.  The brightness of the moonbeam lights is adjusted with a pot located on the fuselage control panel.  Power for the 12 to 15 VAC left moonbeam light is routed through the top and bottom door hinge.  We were also lucky to find vintage GE #94 lamps for the moonbeam lights on ebay. 

Where did the holes go?

Ian (red shirt) and Tanner work with Rick to install aileron.

We had help installing the wings from Rick’s grandsons, Ian and Tanner.  It was hard to find the original location of the aileron hinge screw holes since they were buried under the new fabric.  Diligent pork-stick probing did the job.  Next time we’ll mark the holes when installing fabric.  Both wings on; one aileron moves. 

Ian, Tanner (black shirt), and Rick got the wings back on our C-3.