How many King Richard's are left?

[real550A]

After removing the aluminum skin, I began dissecting the wood interior structure of the galley lid. It consists of 4, doubled 3/4" plywood ribs, with a 3/4" plywood
baseboard at the bottom, all skinned on both sides with 1/8" plywood. It appears to be lauan on the outside, and might be birch on the interior, although it is so
far deteriorated, it 's hard to tell. The ribs are also strengthened by small gussets at the base.

[real550A]

After dissecting the old wooden shell, I cut 8-3/4" ribs and a new baseboard to replicate "The Kings" original construction technique. Last photo shows dry-fit
of new ribs. Next session will be to shape a new oak board at the hinge end, trim the ribs, and glue and screw the whole thing together.

[real550A]

Here's the "clone" of the original galley lid skeleton, the top piece will be trimmed and attached upon the arrival of Grant's hinge. (It's one of the very few
deviations from original that will go into this trailer.)

[real550A]

Well, the "better than hurricane" hinge from Grant showed up today, so I was able to accurately measure, and cut the ribs to length and glue/screw the
final piece of the skeleton in place.

Then, a final dry-fit, before trimming the hinge halves to fit.

[TRP]

Hey Mike,

What's the status? You've gone radio silent. I was out for 2 weeks doing family stuff (birthdays / end of summer vacations / etc.)

Just checking in,

T

[real550A]

Yes, radio silent is the right term! Like you, I had to attend some family stuff out of town.
After receiving Grant's hinge, I proceeded to trim the tops off of the roof edge molding to accomodate the flat part of the body half of the hinge.

Here it is installed:

Meanwhile, Baltic Birch on the inside of galley hatch is stained and ready for wiring to go inside.

Also, got keys made for all three locks. Different keys for each one! How dumb is that?

[real550A]

Made the wiring harness for the center taillight and inside galley hatch light, and ran it through rubber grommets on each side. Then, fastened
the outside skin to the hatch tonight.

[Kim Armstrong]

Do you happen to have any pictures of the frame and axle underneath?

[real550A]

Here's a couple, Kim. Unlike the Benroy, the King Richard's uses a torsion bar axle.




If there's any closeups you need, let me know, the trailer is still on the lift tonight.

[TRP]

Sure Mike, rub it in...

You and your fancy pants lift.

A real man restores/rebuilds his teardrop the old fashioned way - with at least two wheels on the ground at all times!



(Yes, I'm jealous)

[real550A]

Ha! Yeah, I'm spoiled, I admit it! It's all about priorities, Ted. There are people with TV's and stereo's that cost more than my lift.
I just decided, at a young age, that creepers were way overrated! The older I get, the more it pays me back.

[TRP]

I'm just about to start wiring up the lights for the Benroy, so I really wish I had a lift. It'll be slow going sliding around under the trailer. If I do it right the first time, I won't need to go back under it for a while...right?

Keep those updates coming!
T

[Kim Armstrong]

Thanks Real, That's the pictures I was wanting

[TRP]

Made the wiring harness for the center taillight and inside galley hatch light, and ran it through rubber grommets on each side. Then, fastened
the outside skin to the hatch tonight.

The hatch is looking great. Is it pretty rigid? How's it going to fare on the fit?

How are you going to fix those lower rear corners and the rear apron?

T

[real550A]

The plan is to finish the galley hatch, and possibly even use the trailer for a camping trip, or two, this Fall yet. Long term, I'm going to make a
"Ted's pile of parts" out of it, and completely dismantle the whole thing. I'll be following in your footsteps, sandblasting the frame and axle, building
new sides and floor, etc. You're quite a ways through the pain already! I should be able to salvage almost all of the aluminum skin. There's a couple dings
and cracks I'll have to stitch up. Then, it will get a fresh coat of "Indian Turquoise", a 1959 Ford color that matches perfectly. I'll follow the original "Z"
paint scheme on the sides, and paint the wheels turquoise, as well. There were traces of that color on them when I blasted them.