In Memory of Bob Viebrock

Bob Viebrock's Born-Again Chipmunk

A Tribute to Fun, Fellowship and Camaraderie

By Jim Hamilton

This last November, Frank Puccio approached me and asked if I would be interested in working with him in restoring a very tired-out and well-seasoned airplane. As he told me the details about the plane, he had explained that this was an Ohio Models ¼ scale Chipmunk he acquired from Bob Viebrock. As most people know, Bob was one of several members that passed away this last year. When Frank acquired the Chipmunk, he did so because there was some true sentimental value. Frank told me later that shortly after he soloed his first plane, Bob offered to let him fly the Chipmunk. It was the first real aerobatic plane Frank flew beyond a trainer.

So, when Frank got the airplane, he decided to refurbish and give the plane a new look and overall make-over. He discussed the details with me and I agreed to make some improvements and re-cover the airplane. Frank wanted to have the airplane finished in the British RAF reconnaissance version. He gave me a few pictures of what he wanted and later the next day, he dropped the plane off at the shop. So, the project began.

Frank had removed the engine, hardware and other components and had started removing some of the covering. This gave me an idea of what work lie ahead. As I mentioned before, this airplane was well worn and, over the years, earned all the diehard battle scars of flying. There were many signs of repaired damage and re-worked structural issues. None the less, when all the covering was removed, it allowed fixing up and re-strengthening past damage. Additionally, this gave me the chance to make some modifications and enhancements that this airplane would need.

The first couple of steps were already done. First thing is to remove all the installed equipment and clean up the outside. The reason you want to clean the outside is to remove and dirt and grime that built up over time. This way, when you remove the covering, the wood frame doesn’t get any grime on the bare wood. Removing the covering can be a time-consuming thing. Ninety percent of the covering can be removed in 10% of the time it takes to remove the covering. Conversely, 10%percent of the covering takes 90% of the time spent in removal. It is important, though, to remove all the covering. The best method I have found is simply removing as much as you can by hand (this sometime is helped by using a straight razor). Really stubborn spots actually are removed easily with 80 grit sandpaper and lightly “touch sanding” the frame.

Once the covering is removed, it is time to decide what type of modifications and repairs that are needed. The overall structure of the Chipmunk was solid and the airplane was built quite well. But, like any other aged airplane, it needed some reworking on past repairs. One modification was to modify the wing to have uniform external servo mounting. Another modification was to install new hinges on all control surfaces.

The next step was to fill and sand the entire airframe. This is an important step in achieving a good finish. It does take time and diligence, but, when the finish is complete, it will really complement the work put into the project. This airplane required A LOT of filling and sanding. About 10 hours was spent on this before applying any covering. Once you think you have gone insane with sanding and filling, sand and fill a few more times, clean off the dust and start the covering. It is just as important to remove all the dust from the airframe before covering. This reduces bubbles and imperfections that can hinder an otherwise great covering job.

The main color in this particular scheme was black with three main white stripes. Frank had obtained custom decals to complete the finish once the airplane was covered. I used black Monokote for the covering because I felt it would give the best finish. Frank took care of painting the cowl, canopy, and spinner. I was relieved once I had the covering finished. I had spent almost 4 weeks and about 30-40 hours or so in my part. What was very satisfying for me was that Frank was very happy with the finish. I was happy that things went well and the Chipmunk turned out great. However, what I did not realize at the moment was that this project did not end there. There was a lot more to the story of the Chipmunk born again.

Four days later, Frank called me on a Sunday morning and said the Chipmunk was ready to fly. I was surprised and excited, not to mention how anxious I was to see the finished plane fly again. When I got to the field, Frank already had the plane set up, fueled and ready to go. The usual club members were out at the field; namely Tom T., Mike M. and Pete E., offering there full support and observance. For a first flight (well, not exactly a first for the veteran Chipmunk, but, a first for a Chipmunk born again) everything checked out well and right. The motor (a Zenoah G23), which also was as old as the Chipmunk, fired right up and ran like a top. Everything was as good as gold. Frank lined up the Chipmunk on the runway, turned into the wind, poured the coals to it and, in no time, the Chipmunk was airborne and flying again. The Chipmunk was exactly where it was supposed to be, in the sky flying.

As Frank flew the born again bird, something else happened on that flight. Frank significantly proclaimed out loud “This one’s for you Bobby V!” and then, at the same time, for no meteorological reason whatsoever, a section of a rainbow popped-up in a small section of the sky. Frank pulled a beautiful large outside loop around it. All of us that saw it had no doubt it was Bob Viebrock poking through the clouds and watching the flight with us. Frank turned the airplane back around to make a few more passes accompanied with a few victory rolls. Afterwards he lined the Chipmunk up for a flawless “two point” wheels landing. The airplane slowed down, the tail settled on the ground and Frank taxied back into the pits. We all saw what happened and agreed that it was something truly amazing. I thought about that day a good bit.

There is something more to this than just building and flying airplanes. That something more is the fact we fly with others who love this as much as we do. This builds the camaraderie and fellowship that signifies the true heart and soul of flying. There are trials, tribulations and triumphs we go through in flying. If we did this alone, then the experiences and satisfactions we endure would mean far less. I do not believe that, when people pass on, they ever leave us. I do believe that they stay with us in more than the tangible form. In most cases, people choose what they do and who they do it with. Certain things, like aviation and flying, draw in a certain type of people. Unlike other things, flying involves a certain type of passion and desire. For those who fly, it forms strong bonds. I have restored and refinished many model airplanes over the years, but, I cannot express just how satisfying this project was to me and all the other guys I fly with. Even more so, it shows the true reason why we fly model airplanes together.

webmaster@jerseycoastrcclub

Revised: March 12, 2011 at 07:33 AM