“Vagabond’s” restoration, Part 4….into 2026
First update: 8th January
2026 started in a fairly wintry way at Blackbushe, including a light fall of snow on 6th January, as captured by our volunteer James….
Undaunted, our “Tech Team” had already returned to carry on where 2025 left off and by the time of writing had completed a couple of sessions, with the focus of their efforts detailed in the words and pictures below….
Work on what will be one of the team’s major tasks for 2026, namely the repair of the rear fuselage, continued. A lot of re-fabrication of various parts is going to be needed as this progresses.
The painting with primer of flaps and other parts (including carburettor intake ducts, as shown in the 3rd picture) continued, with our “spray shop” being warmed-up to aid the hanging-out-to-dry process (4th picture)
Propeller stubs and sawn blades were cleaned and matched
Trial fit of instruments to the acrylic templates continued
The fin was moved inside where some heat was applied to aid the stripping process
Work continued on wingtips, ailerons and wing fillets
The additonal workshop now in place inside the fuselage saw rib-forming underway, another part of the rear fuselage rebuild
Finally, nacelle repairs saw some end results with the starboard nacelle now completed (last 3 pictures)
