MY cheetah - ZU-DHH rebuild project

[Stephan van Tonder]

FIRST of all I want to Thank Larry at Rainbow airschool ladysmith in a BIG way. As often in life one person's misfortune is another's good luck and after Rainbow's good deal to get Larry in the air again with a new cheetah the ZU-DHH damaged airframe became Available. I was on Larry like a rash and I'm not sure he even thought about selling it yet at the point where I started making enquiries. Long story short we came to an amicable price which fitted my rather tiny budget and this is where the thanks come in. THAKS VERY much - there was no other way that I would ever have been able to buy one. I am forever indebted.
Now that I have something I can start repairing bit by bit and buy parts as I can afford. I'll update this thread as we go along but it will be a very slow process as I'll buy bit by bit as I can afford.
Job 1 was to move it from rainbow in springs to Petit and that was accomplished today. Yes it's not a perfect sight currently but fix it we will.
Job2 is to strip it to components so that everything can be inspected. Wil take lots of pics as that job starts.
WHOO HOO I'm very excited.
Did I say THANKS Larry???

[Rudix]

FIRST of all I want to Thank Larry at Rainbow airschool ladysmith in a BIG way. As often in life one person's misfortune is another's good luck and after Rainbow's good deal to get Larry in the air again with a new cheetah the ZU-DHH damaged airframe became Available. I was on Larry like a rash and I'm not sure he even thought about selling it yet at the point where I started making enquiries. Long story short we came to an amicable price which fitted my rather tiny budget and this is where the thanks come in. THAKS VERY much - there was no other way that I would ever have been able to buy one. I am forever indebted.
Now that I have something I can start repairing bit by bit and buy parts as I can afford. I'll update this thread as we go along but it will be a very slow process as I'll buy bit by bit as I can afford.
Job 1 was to move it from rainbow in springs to Petit and that was accomplished today. Yes it's not a perfect sight currently but fix it we will.
Job2 is to strip it to components so that everything can be inspected. Wil take lots of pics as that job starts.
WHOO HOO I'm very excited.
Did I say THANKS Larry???

Congratulations Stephan! I know you will have lots of fun with the plane, rebuilding and flying

Enjoy

[Oupa-G]

Happy building

Cheers Oupa-G

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Go for it. If ever anyone deserved a Cheetah it is you chom.... ENJOY IT....

I assume that this will be first 618 Cheetah?

[Stephan van Tonder]

Thanks Guys - yes will be a 618 unless of course I can fall over a 912 for a bargain somewhere. I'm looking forward to turning it into an airplane again. Of course there is a lot of work but that has never scared me and that does not cost me money. Master wingbuilder Jenya will take care of the wings and I'll take care of the fuselage, engine and instruments. ZU-FEE is going to be minus 1 x enigma and MGL V10 radio...

[avgas]

Congrats with the project.
Now justput the wheel in the right place.
they look so much nicer as a tailwheel airy

[Miskiet]

Baie Geluk Stephan! Ek is seker jy smile selfs in jou slaap! Jy wou mos nou lankal een hê, nou het jy hom!

[Pietb]

Baie Geluk Stephan met jou nuwe projek.
Soos alreeds genoem...jy verdien jou eie Cheetah meer as enig iemand anders
Lekker werk en hou ons op hoogte.
Cheers
Piet

[JvTonder]

Geluk man kan sommer sien jy het jou passie gekry, geniet dit!

[Stephan van Tonder]

We'll start stripping the weekend. Have basically found a 912s engine now I REALLY need to get the other airplane sold but the market seems absolutely dead.
Will buy lots of big ziplock bags and mark and tag as I strip.

[Sideslip]

Congrats Stephan.

Keep us updated on the progress.

[John Boucher]

Well done and good luck Stephan... Rainbow is on the right track with their new staff and marketing strategy... I'm sure they will be of the greatest assistance!

[Stephan van Tonder]

I hope so although I have already asked for a quote on the wing tubes with no response at all.
But I'll pick up a phone just now and find out. Progress so far - Wings gone to Jenya and I have moved the project to where it will be worked on in the hangar. Potential engine removed from the other airframe. Now I just need to come up with the money to pay for it
But nobody seems to be buying currently so kinda stuck till I can sell the 618 and ZU-FEE..

[John Boucher]

Mike & Walter are up to the task... give them a call and I am sure they'll help you pronto.

Stick with the 618... 75hp I think and only a tad thirstier (the interim!) I think ROTAX should have canned the 582 and stuck with the 618. However they canned the 618 to make way for the 912UL and offered a spectrum of HP ranges!

I go my surprise yesterday and now have to go back using the P-PROP as the WARP hub has fatigue cracks.... An old problem and possibly incorrect torque application on the bolts!

JB

[JvTonder]

Mike & Walter are up to the task... give them a call and I am sure they'll help you pronto.

Stick with the 618... 75hp I think and only a tad thirstier (the interim!) I think ROTAX should have canned the 582 and stuck with the 618. However they canned the 618 to make way for the 912UL and offered a spectrum of HP ranges!

I go my surprise yesterday and now have to go back using the P-PROP as the WARP hub has fatigue cracks.... An old problem and possibly incorrect torque application on the bolts!

JB

Same happend to my warp drive and also running n P Prop now. Not the first warp drive I know off that did that.