Editor-in-Chief Paul Dye’s SubSonex jet is completed (after less than three months of building!), the engine has started and performed flawlessly, and a couple of slow taxi tests have occurred without issues. Since the Inspector isn’t yet available (largely due to the recent enforced paralysis of that part of the federal government), it is time to paint!
John Stahr of Stahr Design out of nearby Oregon offered a deal that was hard to beat. Not only is he an outstanding airplane painter, he likes to come to the builder’s location to do the painting! So, early yesterday evening, John arrived with his tools and the painting process began.
Dye and Stahr have been talking for several weeks about the design and John has everything laid out on his computer. So, the first thing was for the two to review the high-resolution drawings in person and look for any lingering discrepancies. Finding none, the next step was Stahr’s on-site inspection.
After dinner, it was time to unload Stahr’s equipment and supplies, staging them conveniently in the shop. Then, the real work began. Only one part needed to be removed, at least at the start. Dye removed the engine cowling to better ensure a tight and secure “masking”. The engine doesn’t need any overspray inside of it! Otherwise, it was time to mask. Canopy, engine, and lots of little details on the belly. Enough work for one evening after a long drive from Eugene, Oregon, to Dayton, Nevada. Time for hot chocolate and bed.
