Storch.no

News 22 February 2026

In October 2025, the fuselage frame was primed and painted. That can be regarded as an important turning point during the project. From now on we don’t have to spend most of our efforts on disassembly, cleaning, inspecting and discovering unforeseen problems. Now the most enjoyable part of the project starts. First, we installed old refurbished and new fuselage Ash stringers. Then we installed and function tested the elevator trim system. That is an integrated part of the cockpit ceiling and the elevator trim crank and the elevator trim indicator with associated parts must be installed and tested before the ceiling is installed. The elevator trim system on the J4 is very weird, and it is understandable that it was not carried forward to other Piper models. It can also explain why the original elevator trim system was removed and replaced with two simple push-pull cables on LN-HAD before we got it. We do not have a choice because we must restore the J4 to the original standard category.

Alongside the work on the fuselage frame, we have restored the right wing. It was in a surprisingly good condition and is now ready for fabric installation. We have also started to make a new boot cowling. First, we started to make a new firewall. A very helpful person made a tool so we could make the grooves in it.

On 13 February we loaded the fuselage frame onto a trailer and transported it to a furniture upholsterer. She will install the cockpit ceiling, make the seat cushions and baggage compartment. As seen in the photo, we had to wrap the fuselage in plastic film. In Norway the road service put salt on the roads to get rid of snow and ice. Hopefully, the roads will be clean again when we return it to our workshop.

The R/H wing nearly finished for fabric cowering.

Eivind Svenningsen making grooves in the firewall.

The fuselage frame ready for transport on salted roads.

Elin Gjersvold making preparations at her workshop.

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 22 February 2026 In October 2025, the fuselage frame was primed and painted. That can be regarded as an important turning point during the project. From now on we don’t have to spend most of our efforts on disassembly, cleaning, inspecting and discovering unforeseen problems. Now the most enjoyable part of the project starts. First, we installed old refurbished and new fuselage Ash stringers. Then we installed and function tested the elevator trim system. That is an integrated part of the cockpit ceiling and the elevator trim crank and the elevator trim indicator with associated parts must be installed and tested before the ceiling is installed. The elevator trim system on the J4 is very weird, and it is understandable that it was not carried forward to other Piper models. It can also explain why the original elevator trim system was removed and replaced with two simple push-pull cables on LN-HAD before we got it. We do not have a choice because we must restore the J4 to the original standard category. Alongside the work on the fuselage frame, we have restored the right wing. It was in a surprisingly good condition and is now ready for fabric installation. We have also started to make a new boot cowling. First, we started to make a new firewall. A very helpful person made a tool so we could make the grooves in it. On 13 February we loaded the fuselage frame onto a trailer and transported it to a furniture upholsterer. She will install the cockpit ceiling, make the seat cushions and baggage compartment. As seen in the photo, we had to wrap the fuselage in plastic film. In Norway the road service put salt on the roads to get rid of snow and ice. Hopefully, the roads will be clean again when we return it to our workshop. The R/H wing nearly finished for fabric cowering. Eivind Svenningsen making grooves in the firewall. The fuselage frame ready for transport on salted roads. Elin Gjersvold making preparations at her workshop. 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.