Aircraft N324W Data

4D now sports a new main wheel, axle, and brake assembly. The original wheel as supplied by Glasflugel 1n 1966 was actually the front wheel from a Zundapp motorscooter. It even had the spoke holes in it. This wheel used cone-type bearings that required continual maintenance and adjustment. The new Tost wheel uses sealed bearings, a bigger axle, and has an improved brake operating mechanism. The tailwheel was rebuilt with new nylon bushings and the bushings on the fuselage were rebuilt as well. These changes have greatly improved the braking ability and eliminated the annoying tailwheel rumble. Now, the takeoff and landing rolls are eerily quiet.

I purchased this aircraft in May of 2004 in very "rough", but airworthy condition. The instrument panel housed an old Bayside 90-channel radio that occupied most of the available space, and some antiquated flight instruments. What remained of the panel was held together by the simulated wood-grain contact paper finish and several strips of aluminum.

I stripped all the old instruments, re-assembled the pieces, filled all the holes, and vacuum-bagged carbon fiber cloth to the panel. I layed out the new panel using AutoCAD, then drilled new holes and installed all new instruments and avionics. 4D now sports a new tinted canopy with sliding window and pop-out vent, GPS with moving map display on the iPAQ PDA, remote electric compass, transponder, Dittle 720-channel com radio, Becker transponder, oxygen system, pilot relief system, sheepskin seat with Temperfoam cushion, new belts, harness and Softie parachute. The nose air inlet has been re-routed to the instrument panel with a butterfly control valve. The old inlet had no way to shut off the airflow directed directly at my feet. I nearly froze my toes when spending several hours at altitudes approaching 18,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Most of the metal parts were removed and powder-coated before being re-installed. The rudder gimbal has been replaced with the improved type required under the German A.D. (S.B. in the USA). The fiberglass bushings in the gimbal have been replaced with low-friction nylon bushings.

All the wiring (automobile grade) was replaced with aircraft-grade Tefzel wire. A gear warning system was installed. All control cables were replaced as well.

Thanks go to Tim Mara at Wings and Wheels, Hansjorge Streifeneder at Glasfazer Flugzeubau, and Tom Aberle, my A&P at Aberle Custom Aircraft in Fallbrook, CA (L18)

4D is a continuing project. The next items for upgrading are the wheel and brake, and new tailwheel bushings. Someday a complete re-finish may be done.