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The C 104.237 trainer was built in 1947, was refurbished between 1985 and 1986 and has undergone only prescribed maintenance since then. Although it was well looked after by the previous operator, it is now time for a major overhaul. We are following a prescribed maintenance programme of 100 hourly inspections and other work, as per the Civil Aviation Authority approved schedule. Among many other things, we have completely replaced the oil and fuel system hoses, disassembled, and inspected the engine, landing gear and much, much more. Keep your fingers crossed that we are back in the sky as soon as possible.
Reconstruction, but also repair of historic aircraft is a time and money consuming operation. Although we work really intensively on the Aero C 104.237, every day with four people, sometimes even five, there are some jobs that simply cannot be sped up. One of them is painting tactical codes and emblems. In 1947, these markings were painted with a brush, by hand. It was a job for a letterer. The problem is that if we spray painted the tactical number and the insignia, as is commonly done today, you wouldn’t see the brush strokes. So, we’re doing it the old-fashioned way.
After two days of intensive work in the paint shop, we are done. Aero C 104.237 is completely in the same color as it left the production line at the Aero factory in Prague – Vysočany in 1947. The paint on all surfaces is RLM 02. Now we are waiting for the addition of the fuselage markings, fuselage codes and minor markings. And, of course, the reassembly of the whole aircraft.
A big thanks to DSA a.s., in whose new paint shop at the Prague – Kbely base the aircraft got back its original look. And to the company Česká aviatická for the organization and realization of the painting.
While the canvas on the fuselage of Aero C 104.237 was preserved (albeit at the cost of more than 60 hours of work), all other surfaces had to be repainted. After removing the old canvas, we had the opportunity to inspect all the woodwork and glued joints. The layers of old paint were then sanded off and new paint applied. Then it was possible to coat the wings, ailerons, elevator, and rudder with new canvas. This was followed by three layers of base paint applied by brush and one sprayed. We would like to thank Aeroengine and Česká aviatická for their help. The next step would be a trip to the paint shop.
