Quick Build Kits

[YellowPeril]

Now I know where Van got the idea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2D3k0sJ8HM

This is impressive and thoughtful engineering. Just think, you and just fifty of your closest friends can put together a P-47 out in the back yard, and have it done in time for dinner...

1943

[bret]

Wait a min, where is all the paper, o ya quick build. Nice find!

[DanH]

I like!

I once finished up an L-4 restoration. The primary reference document was the WWII Field Assembly Manual, the same sort of book the crew chief is using in this video. Amazing detail...every washer and cotter key, how to rig, the works, all with very basic tools.

Trivia; there is only one easily spotted difference between a civilian J-3 fuselage frame and the military L-4 frame...two very short lengths of .375" .058 tubing welded on top of the left longeron. They were for field leveling so you could rig the airplane when you took it out of the crates. A pair of identical AN4 bolts were dropped into the sockets, which allowed a standard GI level to sit on the bolt heads and clear the throttle levers.