The modifications needed to change this plane from a good tug into a GREAT, durable and dependable front line tow plane are few, in fact, the fewest of all the tow planes I've had.ġ) remove the balsa sheeting on bottom from firewall to the main gear mount and replace with 1/8 LITE PLYĢ) add hardwood tri-stock around inside firewall and balsa tri-stock around inside cockpit wherever possibleģ) add landing gear side saddle to each side of the fuseĤ) install the Stewart nose wheel servo and plane saverĥ) add a plywood support to the LE of the elevator saddle on the fuse ( more on this later )Ħ) change to Robart Hing Points and double the hinges on the Ailerons and flaps ( two next to each other ) This thread will incorporate most of the original modifications made to the highly capable Bidule 170 and include a few other appropriate mods learned along the way. ( the oak tree suffered severe damage too) After approximately 168 hours of flight time on the the original plane, it was a silly oak tree that wouldn't get out of the way. My trusted Bidule met a horrible, gruesome death on the mountain during the recent Cumberland event. Yes, it's true- It's been a while, some time has passed and I can finally speak of it.