1st annual… perseverance

[DarylW]

Been spending 3-4 hours per day this last week hanging out with my IA buddy who is conducting the first annual on N11L - my (new to me) 1953 AC 520. What a privilege to contort my stiffed kneed 63 year old body into various dark places…. ‘Lubricating everything that moves’… amazing engineering throughout. A virtual piano-string looking goulash of cables, pulleys, push rods and bell cranks that convey my pilot wishes of engine and flight control input to their target components. N11L is not perfect, showing some age- but we will forge ahead - improving stuff as we go. After 35 years of flying and owning 7 different planes, this is the first time I’ve helped with an annual! That’s how much I love this plane! A dream come true.[/img]

[Big Pistons Forever]

How about some pictures 

[Adam Frisch]

You're making me nostalgic for the old 520!

If it wasn't for the unavailability of the GO-435, it's an almost perfect plane. Just a stellar performer. And outta all of the Twin Commanders, the one true STOL plane of the bunch. Oh, one other thing I disliked was the hyd pump on the left engine only. Other than those two things - wouldn't change a thing!

[DarylW]

Been trying… can’t get pics to go

[DarylW]

Fortunately my purchase ‘deal’ came with another complete parts plane… so I have two more engines waiting in the ranks to overhaul when my piggy bank can grow…

[DarylW]

Getting the props sent in…probable overhaul of both… pricey but in my mind a capital investment for the plane… about $20K….
Does anyone know of a resource that can help me haul a parts plane from Burns Oregon to Stockton CA? This would include an intact fuselage and full span wing… 44 feet 6 inches… thanks!
Figured out pics! Just had to get faster internet than at my house!

1. Looks like a piano!
2. Will and Bob at Lodi Airport checking the timing
3. How’d we do that? Fast taxi in?
4. Parts plane pics

[EricDapp]

Try Cody Earnst. He advertises on barnstormers and lives in bend.

[Adam Frisch]

Nice work!

I still have full set of flaps, tail cone, engine nacelles etc if you need.

[donv]

I found this about the airplane in Burns:

https://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/N4152B.html

Includes a nice picture of it back in it's heyday...

[DarylW]

Thanks for the info on the ‘parts plane’ …. If I had the money I’d bring it back to flying status too… I just love helping old things function well….must be why I’m an Internal Medicine doctor— trying to keep old people healthy!
These 520’s are well designed- I really appreciate all that- it speaks to me!
Guess I’m hooked
I appreciate your help here Adam and Don and the person that suggested the guy in Bend…. I’ll keep the forum posted

[DarylW]

Big day for N11L. Brian the prop shop owner from Hayward- a very nice and knowledgeable person - came by and coached us in taking off these 20 spline Hartzells  for probable overhauls. The process was very interesting and I tried to sequence the pics accordingly.  It is amazing what happens internally when we move those prop levers! I also learned how to remake new hydraulic lines yesterday and started with the pilot side brake line. One stubborn ill placed  little insignificant bolt holding a clamp holding a bend in the line cost me an hour trying to get it off… finding out if the previous person had just switched the nut side with the head side it would have been a 10 minute episode- as was with the much easier copilot side that had it installed correctly. My head and truck wedged up into the nacelle, right arm weaved (woven?) in between control cables and hard hydraulic lines to allow my right hand to land just at the right spot left hand wedged up near where the main gear leg pivots in board struggling to get a few turns with my 3/8 inch wrenches to get a purchase on the hidden nut head and and I drop the wrench! Un-weave my right arm, twist my trunk and duck my head to crouch on the floor looking for my wrench- to regroup and try and get back to the same position- that happened several times! I really respect and appreciate airplane mechanics cuz this isn’t as easy as it looks! My IA Bob and A&P Will have been patient teachers! Now that the heavy wrenching for the prop removal is done we will get her on jacks today and start looking at the gear and areas around the brake pedals and nose steering  and I’ll keep replacing hydraulic lines in between…. keep you posted

[Adam Frisch]

Daryl - nice pics!

Two things you need to hoard up on if you get a chance: Goodyear brake pucks and the MV prop hubs and props that eliminate the 250hr AD.

[DarylW]

Hey Adam....
I think I have satisfied the prop AD with new clamps-hub... but... I am not sure- my new friend Brian from the prop shop should let me know! He said my 'clamps' were the same as on a Beech King Air... so I am guessing they are upgraded.... praying
I have the older school original braking system with the rotor fixed to the wheel with those multiple clips....dang it I left the books at the airport...cant remember if its Goodyear or the other one ... I will keep the pucks in mind!!
Thanks as always
anything we can do to make this forum get a bit more lively?
I am looking forward to flying south to visit you with N11L and I haven't forgotten your stash of stuff I'd like to buy from you .... with all of life .... southern visit in a month or so and  parts acquisition next year if you still got them....
blessings....djw

[DarylW]

Eric D thanks for the suggestion of Cody Ernst! He’s a ‘go-getter’ and will have half of the plane to Stockton by Friday! Way better than me and some friends trying to get it done!

[DarylW]

1. Cody Ernst- a good man!
2. Cody in action
3. spare wing resting in hanger…
Fuselage and engines and bits and pieces coming Tuesday
Meanwhile… back at the annual of N11L… I was shown how to make new flexible hydraulic lines and I am s l o w l y replacing many of them… about one line an hour… slowed mostly by getting the dang connectors to engage each other - pics later.
Anyone know how I can find the remaining 520/560 owners out there? I would like to hear from them…maybe start a sub-forum category for us like the very active and passionate Twin-Bo sub group within the Beech forum.
Daryl W