STD Libelle Restoration Reccomendations

Hello All,

I recently bought a Standard Libelle and would like some guidance/recommendations/ideas/etc if you guys would be so kind. Below is basically a list of things I would like some help with and the overall status of the glider as it sits.

1) Recommendations for epoxy, primer, and polyurethane topcoat brands. I see a lot of recommendations for a PPG Durathane but I haven't found a source for buying the real stuff. I plan on sanding down to the first hint of green glass and building the glider up.
2) Any of you libelle owners have a spare canopy or a mold laying around? Or any other libelle parts...
3) Panel wise, the glider already has a mechanical and total energy vario. I have space for 2 more gauges, but don't plan on adding any of the fancy stuff unless I find a spectacular deal. Might remake the panel as it is a little scrappy as it is.
4) Any ideas?

Anything is appreciated. I am new to the airplane ownership club.


Happy landings,

It is worth checking the Airbrake bearings for wear. Igf you are going to refinish the wings it is worth doing them as you have to cut holes..... On this Point, I am trying to find someone who has done this job, as I have this to do in the near future.... Would be good to get some info from someone that has done this job..!!... Craig Lowrie, UK.
On Friday, June 12, 2020 at 4:31:43 AM UTC+1, wrote:
Hello All,

I recently bought a Standard Libelle and would like some guidance/recommendations/ideas/etc if you guys would be so kind. Below is basically a list of things I would like some help with and the overall status of the glider as it sits.

1) Recommendations for epoxy, primer, and polyurethane topcoat brands. I see a lot of recommendations for a PPG Durathane but I haven't found a source for buying the real stuff. I plan on sanding down to the first hint of green glass and building the glider up.
2) Any of you libelle owners have a spare canopy or a mold laying around? Or any other libelle parts...
3) Panel wise, the glider already has a mechanical and total energy vario.. I have space for 2 more gauges, but don't plan on adding any of the fancy stuff unless I find a spectacular deal. Might remake the panel as it is a little scrappy as it is.
4) Any ideas?

Anything is appreciated. I am new to the airplane ownership club.


Happy landings,

On Friday, June 12, 2020 at 4:24:08 PM UTC+8, wrote:
It is worth checking the Airbrake bearings for wear. Igf you are going to refinish the wings it is worth doing them as you have to cut holes..... On this Point, I am trying to find someone who has done this job, as I have this to do in the near future.... Would be good to get some info from someone that has done this job..!!... Craig Lowrie, UK.
On Friday, June 12, 2020 at 4:31:43 AM UTC+1, wrote:
Hello All,

I recently bought a Standard Libelle and would like some guidance/recommendations/ideas/etc if you guys would be so kind. Below is basically a list of things I would like some help with and the overall status of the glider as it sits.

1) Recommendations for epoxy, primer, and polyurethane topcoat brands. I see a lot of recommendations for a PPG Durathane but I haven't found a source for buying the real stuff. I plan on sanding down to the first hint of green glass and building the glider up.
2) Any of you libelle owners have a spare canopy or a mold laying around? Or any other libelle parts...
3) Panel wise, the glider already has a mechanical and total energy vario. I have space for 2 more gauges, but don't plan on adding any of the fancy stuff unless I find a spectacular deal. Might remake the panel as it is a little scrappy as it is.
4) Any ideas?

Anything is appreciated. I am new to the airplane ownership club.


Happy landings,

Hi Craig
I have done the replacement bearing job on both the top pivot bearings and the lower swivel arms, what information are you chasing?
Chris Runeckles
Western Australian Sailplane products (WASP)

Yeah that doesn’t look fun. The John Wahl blog is going to be my bible if I decide to cut that hole.

On Fri, 12 Jun 2020 01:24:06 -0700, craigjlowrie wrote:

It is worth checking the Airbrake bearings for wear. Igf you are going
to refinish the wings it is worth doing them as you have to cut
holes..... On this Point, I am trying to find someone who has done
this job, as I have this to do in the near future.... Would be good to
get some info from someone that has done this job..!!... Craig Lowrie,
UK.

Gav Goudie (Cambridge club) has done it. I asked because mine will need
doing at its next annual. The two warnings were that the brakes are
mounted on bolts whose heads are glassed over and not to cut the hole too
close to the rear edge of the bevelled hole the top of the brake sits in:
the back wall of the brake box is further back than you think.

Its probably good idea to talk to Glasfaser beforehand: they're generally
helpful and may have useful diagrams they're prepared to supply.

Last year I moved the pitot from the fin (I suspect the RAFGSA put it
there because that's not inline with the type certificate or in the
glider log). Glasfaser were most helpful, supplying the new internal pitot
as well as technical drawings and photos showing how it should be done.


--
Martin | martin at
Gregorie | gregorie dot org

On Thu, 11 Jun 2020 20:31:41 -0700, scottyrtobin wrote:

Hello All,

I recently bought a Standard Libelle and would like some
guidance/recommendations/ideas/etc if you guys would be so kind. Below
is basically a list of things I would like some help with and the
overall status of the glider as it sits.

1) Recommendations for epoxy, primer, and polyurethane topcoat brands. I
see a lot of recommendations for a PPG Durathane but I haven't found a
source for buying the real stuff. I plan on sanding down to the first
hint of green glass and building the glider up.
2) Any of you libelle owners have a spare canopy or a mold laying
around? Or any other libelle parts...
3) Panel wise, the glider already has a mechanical and total energy
vario. I have space for 2 more gauges, but don't plan on adding any of
the fancy stuff unless I find a spectacular deal. Might remake the panel
as it is a little scrappy as it is.
4) Any ideas?

Anything is appreciated. I am new to the airplane ownership club.

What s/n is yours? It has a bearing on a number of things as the
structure and tailplane changed gradually from s/n 111 to s/n 182.

Everything I know about my Std Libelle and Std Libelles in general is
he https://www.gregorie.org/gliding/libelle/index.html

Have fun with yours.


--
Martin | martin at
Gregorie | gregorie dot org

I’m an early one but I do at least have the retractable gear. Serial number 32. Is there any further things you would recommend doing to get closer to 201B status?

On Sat, 13 Jun 2020 13:59:55 -0700, Scotty Tobin wrote:

I’m an early one but I do at least have the retractable gear. Serial
number 32. Is there any further things you would recommend doing to get
closer to 201B status?

I haven't bothered (s/n 82) because you really don't want water in an
early balsa wing: leaking wing bags apparently did for a number of H301s.
And, in the UK anyway, updating airspeed and weight limits to B
specifications is purely a paperwork exercise. I haven't bothered, not
least because I don't come near any of the limits and Vne only increases
by about 5kts.


--
Martin | martin at
Gregorie | gregorie dot org

On Thursday, June 11, 2020 at 8:31:43 PM UTC-7, wrote:
Hello All,

I recently bought a Standard Libelle and would like some guidance/recommendations/ideas/etc if you guys would be so kind. Below is basically a list of things I would like some help with and the overall status of the glider as it sits.

1) Recommendations for epoxy, primer, and polyurethane topcoat brands. I see a lot of recommendations for a PPG Durathane but I haven't found a source for buying the real stuff. I plan on sanding down to the first hint of green glass and building the glider up.
2) Any of you libelle owners have a spare canopy or a mold laying around? Or any other libelle parts...
3) Panel wise, the glider already has a mechanical and total energy vario.. I have space for 2 more gauges, but don't plan on adding any of the fancy stuff unless I find a spectacular deal. Might remake the panel as it is a little scrappy as it is.
4) Any ideas?

Anything is appreciated. I am new to the airplane ownership club.


Happy landings,

Scotty,

Check this out for refinishing.

http://www.craggyaero.com/ventus.htm

Richard

Yeah that’s a great guide for the finishing. His glider came out great. I intend to follow his guide for a lot.