thunder gull j model

[ataildragger]

Hello I have a J model thunder Gull which I really like. I took
delievery from Earthstar in june of 2000. It was built by earthStar
and I bought it ready to fly. My j model came in a crate and along
with my plane in the crate a friend's unbuilt Gull 2000 was also
shipped. My friend got his Gull 2000 built and flying this spring. Has
anyone else with a j model had problems with the paint cracking on
the fuselage fabric?

[chilidog2178]

Do you see any significant advantages/disadvantages between the two
models? I have heard that the J has a little better ground clearance
and more storage room behind the seat, but the Gull 2000 has a wider
cockpit and sits on its nosewheel when parked. Any other significant
differences?

What engines do you and your friend get?

I don't have a J or any other Earthstar model, but the paint
shouldn't be cracking on your fuselage fabric unless a proper
aircraft type system (like poly-fiber) was not used, or the paint was
applied much too thick. You should contact Mark about it.

[ansieman]

Yes. My J is about 4 years old, factory built. Lots of cracking
toward the back of cabin.

I suspect that the fabric takes quite a beating from the nearby prop.

One problem with urethane paint is that it can't be repaired (that I
know of) I'm gonna recover mine, and go with acrylic paint. I hear
it takes a little more work at paint time to get a good finish, but
is repairable.

[Ron E]

My J model is about the same age as yours, and
was also factory built. I have had absolutely
no signs of deterioration of the paint or fabric.
It still looks like it just came out of the factory, thankfully.

Ron Carroll
Independence, OR