Storch.no

News 4 February 2025

The fuselage frame was not perfect. We found some patches with internal corrosion, but nothing that could stop the project. A tube that had to be replaced entirely was the worst finding. Now, aircraft welder Martin Rosok Killingmo is about to do all necessary work on the fuselage frame.

The left wing and the “tail feathers” have been subject to our attention lately. We did borescope inspection inside all accessible tubes on tail fin, rudder, stabilizers and elevators without finding any serious problems. The left wing had no negative surprises. The wooden wing spares were in general good condition. We repaired a few ribs and replaced one completely. Further, we need to make a new wing tip bow and replace the wing tip leading edge, otherwise the left wing is about to be ready for fabric cowering. It puzzles me how many parts are different on a J4 compared to a J-3, even inside the wing.

A parcel with parts arrived from the US last week. We had serious trouble with missing parts in the elevator trim system, serious corrosion in the master brake cylinders and a strange landing gear leg. Now these problems seem less serious thanks to Scott Sword.

Welding the fuselage frame.

The wing nearly ready for fabric covering.

News 10 March 2024

At present, everything is removed from the fuselage frame. Stripping layers of paint took most of the time. The naked fuselage frame is now at Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services (KAMS) for x-ray inspection. In the meantime, we removed the fabric from the wings. We found mice and wasp nests, but otherwise the wings seem to be in a reasonably good shape.

Already now, we know that we must do some welding on the fuselage. We must at least design brackets for the battery installation, shoulder hardness attachment points, ELT, and antennas. Further we need parts for the elevator trim system, the Hayes brake master cylinders, and the right hand landing gear axle.

We would also appreciate any information about interior trim and colours on stick, pedals etc.

The naked fuselage frame on trestles.

The Hayes master brake cylinders that has to be replaced.

The wings with fabric removed.

News 1 November 2023

The new project entered our workshop 22 October 2023, delivered by Henrik Harr Widerøe and Gunnar Arnekleiv personally. LN-HAD is relatively complete, but its condition is unknown. We must do a full dismantle and inspect every detail. IRAN (Inspect and Repair as Necessary) is a proper description of the work ahead. Restoring the wings is regarded straight forward. They are similar to wood spar Cub wings. We therefore decided to start with the fuselage.

Henrik Harr Widerøe and Gunnar Arnekleiv with LN-HAD outside the workshop.

Initial disassembly.


	News 4 February 2025 The fuselage frame was not perfect. We found some patches with internal corrosion, but nothing that could stop the project. A tube that had to be replaced entirely was the worst finding. Now, aircraft welder Martin Rosok Killingmo is about to do all necessary work on the fuselage frame. The left wing and the “tail feathers” have been subject to our attention lately. We did borescope inspection inside all accessible tubes on tail fin, rudder, stabilizers and elevators without finding any serious problems. The left wing had no negative surprises. The wooden wing spares were in general good condition. We repaired a few ribs and replaced one completely. Further, we need to make a new wing tip bow and replace the wing tip leading edge, otherwise the left wing is about to be ready for fabric cowering. It puzzles me how many parts are different on a J4 compared to a J-3, even inside the wing. A parcel with parts arrived from the US last week. We had serious trouble with missing parts in the elevator trim system, serious corrosion in the master brake cylinders and a strange landing gear leg. Now these problems seem less serious thanks to Scott Sword. Welding the fuselage frame. The wing nearly ready for fabric covering. News 10 March 2024 At present, everything is removed from the fuselage frame. Stripping layers of paint took most of the time. The naked fuselage frame is now at Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services (KAMS) for x-ray inspection. In the meantime, we removed the fabric from the wings. We found mice and wasp nests, but otherwise the wings seem to be in a reasonably good shape. Already now, we know that we must do some welding on the fuselage. We must at least design brackets for the battery installation, shoulder hardness attachment points, ELT, and antennas. Further we need parts for the elevator trim system, the Hayes brake master cylinders, and the right hand landing gear axle. We would also appreciate any information about interior trim and colours on stick, pedals etc. The naked fuselage frame on trestles. The Hayes master brake cylinders that has to be replaced. The wings with fabric removed. News 1 November 2023 The new project entered our workshop 22 October 2023, delivered by Henrik Harr Widerøe and Gunnar Arnekleiv personally. LN-HAD is relatively complete, but its condition is unknown. We must do a full dismantle and inspect every detail. IRAN (Inspect and Repair as Necessary) is a proper description of the work ahead. Restoring the wings is regarded straight forward. They are similar to wood spar Cub wings. We therefore decided to start with the fuselage. Henrik Harr Widerøe and Gunnar Arnekleiv with LN-HAD outside the workshop. Initial disassembly.