Table made from a 1940s airplane wheel

Hello again. I just finished a table for my garage that is made from a 1940s T-6 "Texan" main wheel. The T-6 was a World War 2 training aircraft.  This project was a hoot! Everyone who I met while doing this was a real help.

The wheel is mounded on the base from a desk chair and is supported by a piece of heavy duty automotive exhaust pipe. A glass tabletop finishes it off. 

I decided to use the base from a desk chair for this project because I knew the finished table was going to be very heavy, and I wanted to be able to move it easily.

 

Step 1: The wheel

The rim of the wheel is from an airplane parts dealer. It was slightly damaged on the back, so I got it for a good price. It is seen here being test fitted on a chair base.

　

Comments

[awesomecreations]

Also, what is that wing section from (Also a Harvard?) I seem to remember the end overlapping the main wing sheets but I am not sure about that bit. A cool piece to have. Did you paint or stick that star on the wing or was it there already? I can see that the original markings would have been placed there on the American ones even though I haven't seen any other aircraft with the markings placed so far out on the wing. Another thing I just have to ask is about the part of aileron attatched to this wing piece; is it covered in fabric or Aluminium? On our Harvards the control surfaces are fabric-covered while the trim-tabs are still covered with Al sheets. Some aircraft such as numerous C-47s have had their control surfaces which used to be covered in fabric converted to aluminium skin. Not sure If this was ever done to T6s.

[goaly]

Hello, The wing in the photo is actually a horizontal stabilizer from a Sikorsky Sea King helicopter. It is aluminum covered and the insignia is original. I bought it at a farm auction near hear. Thanks for looking at this project!

By the way, there is a wingtip from A T-6 hanging in the garage. It can be seen in my ceiling fan instructable. At some point a second navigation light was added to it. This was actually a gift from the gentleman who sold me the propeller.

[awesomecreations]

Strange rim, is it the rim or the tyre (or both) from a T6 Texan (or "Harvard" as they are referred to here and within the British Empire)? I have never seen or heard of one of these aircraft with a rim like this, every one I have ever seen has had a flat circular aluminium plate with four large flat screws to hold it in place over the inner hub. (That's probably why yours appears to have 4 unusual protruding points on it.) I don't know why the wheels would have a plate over the nice rim shown here, this certainly doesn't look ugly. Nice piece!

[goaly]

Hello, The rim and tire are both from a T-6. Normally there is a flat hubcap that covers the rim. The wheels on a Texan or Harvard are exposed, even when retracted, and the hubcap reduces the wind resistance. I also think the wheel looks better without it.

[dreamberry]

Very nice! How did you get the rim so clean?

[goaly]

All I used was automotive tire cleaner and a plastic bristled brush. I was very surprised by the difference in the appearance of the rim after cleaning it.

[BigBadgers2001]

A great idea, very well explained. I want one for my man cave. lol.