In August of 2023, a former chapter member and original owner of this 1998 Zenith 601-HDS kit, donated it and a Corvair engine conversion to the chapter to be assembled by area teenagers. As received, the kit is perhaps 10% completed, with the rudder and one outer wing panel riveted. It is for the tailwheel version. The build of the airframe won't begin until the teens finish the Zenith Cruzer in progress, maybe as soon as the fall of 2025. However, some of them are eager to assemble the engine and could start on that sooner. Many of the aluminum panels in the kit were still in their original paper packaging and boxes. No significant corrosion was found on these despite a quarter century of storage so, demonstrating one of the designer's reasons for selecting 6061 for airplane construction.
- Clean left wing panel of grime and growths. Inspect: - It appears many of the rivets had failed to set correctly and would work eventually loose. - There was corrosion on faying surfaces inside the wing (rib to skin). - Deburring of parts was inadequate. - The wing tank contains many aluminum shavings. - Oil canning of the inboard panel of the bottom skin was severe. - It was decided this wing should be discarded. The factory can still supply new replacement parts.
- Move kit from Congerville to the chapter hangar. - Sort through and consolidate boxes. Place all parts in or on the modified 1998 shipping crate. - Inspect the one finished wing panel. Will need to open it up and replace rubber fuel lines. - Phone Zenith to get a copy of Hinrichsen's original receipt, to add to the donation receipt.
No build log was received, but there were a few photos on ink-jet printer paper. These had dates on them from 1999 and partly document the assembly of the left wing panel. Markings on the rudder suggest it was built earlier at one of the factory's rudder workshops for builders. Because the wing panel has an internal fuel tank plumbed with the factory rubber hoses, this will have to be opened and the hoses replaced.
