And so it begins....again....40 years later

[Topflight2]

Having recently purchased and successfully transported to our shop a partially completed Steen Skybolt project, which was started in 1976 and of which I am the fourth owner, I realize just how little I know about building airplanes - having never done so before. 1500 hrs of PIC doesn't qualify me as an A&P!

My brother (retired nuclear engineer for GE) and I will endeavor to complete this project, together - he in retirement and me on the way toward same.

Current status: fuselage/empennage fully welded; upper and lower wings/ailerons completed; wheels and throttle quadrant installed; powerplant purchased but not mounted: IO-540 w/ 726 hrs.

First: read all FAA regs pertinent, and contact local FSDO
Second: inventory all parts
Third: study all plans, drawings and logs
Fourth: steel wool surface rust off of fuselage; prime and paint

Obviously, we can use all of the help we can get, re-igniting this project, without any past experience. For those of you whom have trod the path we are on:

1) what first steps have we missed?
2) any specific recommendations for primer and paint for the metal fuselage?
3) next steps recommended?
4) resources recommended?

Thanks! We look forward to being part of the Skybolt/Biplane Forum community!

 

[StinsonPilot]

 

[TFF1]

 

[cwilliamrose]

 

[raymoeller]

 

[ndlakesdreamer]

 

[Jerry]

 

[cashflyer]

 

[EAABipe40FF]

 

[Jerry]