Any Widgeon owners or operators here? Do you know of a source for the keel extrusion for the forward hull. Also any source for a floor material that might be lighter than plywood.

Thanks

Maybe some composite honeycomb? But I really am not sure

I’d ask on backcountrypilot.org, think there are a few G44 drivers over there

thanks I'll check over there. I've made some end grain core floors with ply facing before that worked out ok. But with all the epoxy to vacuum bag them I'm not sure they are much lighter. Honeycomb or foam might be better. We did try some carbon honeycomb floor material from the surplus Boeing sale in a Cub. It worked but at every screw point it needed to be drilled through the core to have a solid cylinder glued in to drill for the screw or bolt to pass through and not crush the composite. Still might be lighter in the end and not as susceptible to moisture.

I used 12 or 14ish ply 1/4 inch ply birch for my floorboards. It's pretty light. Carbon is a bad choice due to galvanic corrosion issues with aluminum. Widgeon is a tank, I'd focus on other areas like the panel to save weight. Mine weighs 3,300 lbs empty. It's a light non A hull.

I don't think those extrusions exist anymore. They were poorly heat treated in WWII so you probably have exfoliation/intergranular corrosion? You'd have to get them custom made I think.

Mike

Thanks. I suspect this one was tipped on its nose on pavement at some point or just wear from beaching has ground down the keel extrusion in one spot. No damage visible just ground down.

Yes understood about carbon and corrosion. It does have two KX 170Bs and full interior which adds to the weight . This one still has the original gross weight.

Which one did you get? I've seen guys scarf in small segments of extrusion.

Fiberglass used pretty extensively on boats for the galvanic corrosion reason. Better option than carbon fiber and still lightweight, assuming the strength isn't needed.

Depending on the situation, you can use carbon fiber if you add zinc (or some other sacrificial anode) that you just need to replace in the circuit as necessary.

Putting a non-conductive barrier (e.g. fiberglass) between the aluminum and carbon as an insulator can also work, but if both are submerged in water then the electrons will find a way.

Which one did you get? I've seen guys scarf in small segments of extrusion.[/quote]

Considering the Ranger powered one on Controller but I had a friend who is also an IA take a look and it's not bad but work is needed. I have not been involved with a Widgeon before so just searching to see what is hard to get or available to keep it flying.

Considering the Ranger powered one on Controller but I had a friend who is also an IA take a look and it's not bad but work is needed. I have not been involved with a Widgeon before so just searching to see what is hard to get or available to keep it flying.[/quote]

The airframe is as simple as it gets. There are new actuators, wheels, brakes, etc. We have not had any issues making or finding parts. We have 3 of them locally.

Here's my restoration.

Charlie,

Mine has a spliced keel from a previous gear up. I plan to eventually mostly reskin and seal the hull.
I have some documentation on that repair as it was apparently common from attempting to ramp with the gear still up.

I also have a book of ALCOA extrusions used on the widgeon and I spoke with Del a couple of years ago and as I recall he seemed to think with that data some could be made although with a minimum order of way more than needed. Maybe a group buy?

My hull keel is ground down in a few spots too, they all are. Like everything Grumman, it's built like a tank.

I’d bet there are several other Widgeon owners willing to be part of a group buy on keel extrusions. Please let me know if anyone goes forward with it.

Sounds like a job for Air Corp.