The museum recently acquired Fred Ludtke’s 1940 Monocoupe 90AW145. The well known Fred Ludtke from the Pacific Northwest flew this Monocoupe in over 200 airshows up and down the west coast. The Monocoupe was discovered in California by Eric Minnis of Burlington, NC. Eric shipped the Monocoupe was sent to Burlington, North Carolina with hopes of restoring the it for a customer. Skagit Aero’s Jim Jenkins saw the airplane advertised on Barnstormers and contacted Eric with the hopes of acquiring the project and bringing it back home to the Pacific Northwest. Over a few phone conversations a deal was struck to acquire this historic Monocoupe for our collection.

The Monocoupe is scheduled to return to the Washington State at the end of Jan 2012. We hope to reunite Fred with his long lost steed. A complete ground up restoration will commence upon arrival at the museum.

Here is Fred taking off in his Monocoupe  from an unknown airport sometime during the 1980′s

Here is Fred standing with his son next to the Monocoupe.

So after three weeks of visits from these very big, curious, smelly animals we have decided that Santa lost his reindeer and decided to replace them.

The cosmetic restoration for the 120 is in full swing. Lots of sanding and lots of buffing but the time and effort is paying off. The plane is going to be a real beauty

Liz Kaiser a volunteer at the museum sands the fuselage while Drew gets ready to buff the already sanded areas.

The rear top section has been buffed now moving to the next section.

The time has finally approached where the bulldog is almost up on its own gear. Both shock struts have been fitted to both landing gears. Bushings for the pivot point have been made and installed. The only thing left to do is to trim the bottom of the gear legs and weld on the axle tubes.

The gear installed on the bulldog. Axles are next.

Shock strut attach points.

Landing gear pivot point.

This is where the axles will get welded on.

This 1946 Cessna 120 purchased by Harold Hanson back in 2000 is an original airframe with fabric wings. The Engine is a C-85-12 without electrical system which keeps the airplane light and is how it came  from the factory. Our goal for this 120 is to bring the cosmetic appearance of this airplane up to the standards that everyone has come to expect at this museum.

We have removed the Stabilizer, Elevators, Fin and Rudder for some light re-skinning as there is slight damage due to hail.

With removal of all of the tail feathers and then removal of the stripe with paint stripping sanding has begun to remove all surface scratches and light oxidation on aluminum skins.

After the first cut of compound the skin is starting to shine right up. Pretty soon it will be like looking into a mirror.

A good clear view of the sanding that is being done. When we are finished the airplane will have been sanded with 800, 1000,1500,2000,2500 and 3000 grit sandpaper. Takes a toll on the fingers but the outcome is worth it.

The Pietenpol Sky Scout ailerons are finally covered and progress continues on.

Taping the ailerons.

Final shrink of the tapes.

Fabrication on the landing gear continues at a rapid pace. The day of the bulldog sitting on its own landing gear is fast approaching and will be the first time a Bulldog has been on its landing gear in 80 years.

After measuring and marking and triangulating the fuselage is ready for test fit

After Fabrication, cutting and welding the left hand gear is finished and ready for mating to fuselage.

Right hand gear installed in proper place ready for left hand gear to be mated to fuselage

Left hand gear mated to the fueslage and welded in place.

Welding of the left hand drag strut. The drag strut keeps the gear from walking fore and aft.

Forming the steel wrap plate on the left hand drag stut.

The wheel and brake assembly is a four puck from a Cessna 421 which should give the Bulldog the proper braking power and ground handling. The torque plate gets welded to the axel stub for the brake attachment.

Finished torque plates.