Before paint, I took it to Del Lehman's shop for cosmetic metal work. It had a few holes where old beacons and antennas had been attached and badly patched, and the control surfaces showed FOD damage from the previous owner flying to his 2nd home in the Baja for over 30 years. That's where the project started with all 7 control surfaces resigned and the other cosmetics.

The project grew as Del noticed that some shortcuts had been taken with previous work including the installation of wiring for the new avionics that had just been installed. The interior came out for new glass and glare shield, and with each step, Del found something else not to his liking. The big surprise came when he learned that the airplane had left the factory with rudder trim, but, at some point, that had been removed and the rudder cable assembly, which was quite different from a non rudder trim airplane, jury rigged to work. He even found that the brake system, which had been redone, had slightly smaller tubing than standard and the wheels improperly bolted to the spring gear.

Del fixed it all, one piece at a time. Somewhere in the process he said it reminded him of the Johnny Cash song, "One Piece At A Time" where the guy stole a Cadillac off the assembly line and built a Cadillac from a multi-year assemblage of parts. The car was named, Psychobilly Cadillac in the song.

This airplane flies true and fast, and all credit belongs to the magic of Del and his shop, Mountain Airframe, that did the work for a mere pittance, IMO.

Hence, the Psychobilly Skywagon. The impact of covid on our ability to travel to see our children made me put both the 180 and 195 up for sale to facilitate the purchase of a more capable xc mount. I haven't bought anything to date because of this crazy market. I have no need of the money from any sale for whatever I might consider. The proposed sale was, indeed, to assuage the feelings of my penny pinching wife.

Yes, dear, I have them both for sale.

As I told her, we don't have three airplanes, we have three collector's items.

Sooner or later, it seems that I am going to have four airplanes. like it or not

Jg

Resurrecting an old thread but I bought "psychobilly" from John Green yesterday. He finally agreed to sell it to me. He is rethinking his airplane situation and is now also going to put his Baron on the market it appears.

He delivered the 180 to me, (I just had cataract surgery) spent the night and headed home yesterday.

Good Job Grant, I think you got a well sorted out very Nice 180, I think anyone would be Proud to own Glad to see It's kinda stayin in the Family

I can't think of another Man, that would be more Fun and Fair to Deal with than John......Miss Him

+1

I miss reading JGG posts. No substitute for knowledge, experience, and common sense.

Congrats Grant!

Right Back at Ya Tom +10
I could of used a Big Brother like that when I was Growin Up

Johnny is a great guy. We swapped a bunch of lies while he was here. A very knowledgeable guy for sure. I hate that he left BT also but he is crazy busy now with family life. His next step is to sell his Baron. His Cub is up at IndyAir and they are selling that for him

I am getting like you Sidney with the emojis.

+1

I miss reading JGG posts. No substitute for knowledge, experience, and common sense.

Congrats Grant!

The Baron that JGG currently has he bought from me. He was a pleasure to deal with and we still keep in touch. He seems to improve every airplane that he owns. I've heard very nice things about that 180, and I hope you the best in ownership.

Thanks Russ, He hates to sell the Baron but he is regrouping in the airplane department. He speaks highly of you.

Grant

Hope he and family are well.