We started replacing worn-out fabric on our C-3 with Ceconite. Rick (right) is a jack of all trades and has been helping with Blue Box refurbishment for years. After ripping off the old fabric, sanding the wood and priming it with poly, we asked Leroy (left) if he would be our tutor. Leroy is an airplane fabric expert. He recovered Wright Patterson AFB Training SPO’s Blue Box many years ago; and he recovered the Memphis Belle’s ailerons with authentic cotton for the Air Force Museum. Leroy is trying to teach us tricks of the fabric trade.
Our C-3 Link Trainer is completely stripped of fabric and gutted. Should we reinstall all the inside mechanicals, plumbing, and wiring before putting on new fabric, or, put on new fabric first, and then install the inside mechanicals, plumbing, and wiring?
We worked on the mechanics first and are now redoing the fabric; but it is not critical. There are two areas of overlap. One is the fabric along the back of the seat. The seat back leather needs to be unglued at the top to allow the fabric to tuck underneath. The fabric also gets tucked under the top edge of the front panel; however, that can be easily done at any time by loosening the panel screws. The trim on the bottom edge of the door needs to go on after the fabric is added. The fabric needs to be on the wings, elevator, and rudder before adding them.
Is there a video showing your efforts to recover with Ceconite??
No video yet; but we are working on one starring Leroy and Rick. Stay tuned.
I am rebuilding one of the blue boxes discovered in a heap in the old hangar at the Windover air museum. I have stripped off all the blue because it had reached the end of its life with many tears and rips. I too am going to recover it with Ceconite fabric. Have you a video on how the fabric was placed on it in the box and in what order? No I am a ways from being ready to do that on mine it would be interesting to see “professionals doing it”.
The original Blue Box fabric is typically brittle after all these years. We’ll get that fabric recovering video up — hopefully before you are ready for it. Have fun.