Body Latches

Dutton · 07-06-07, 07:31 PM

Greetings all,

Just ran across this listing on eBay... any of my UK friends familiar with this item and the quality?

eBay: GT40 Body Catches. Similar to Hartwell (item 170128827581 end time Jul-16-07 14:38:12 PDT)

Thanks in advance,

T.

Mark Charlton · 07-06-07, 09:33 PM

They sure look nice, but at £100 PER CATCH they are a tad pricey, IMHO.

KarlB · 07-07-07, 08:02 AM

I am in the process of building a 1960's gt40 replica, and no doubt it will take many years. Original Hartwell latches can be found second hand if you are prepared to search and wait, I am aware of members in our club who have paid £200 for a set of four some years ago. At £400.00 a set of four copies I personally am prepared to use Tornado ones and wait ......for as long as it takes. [Only my own personal opinion]

Chris Martino · 07-07-07, 11:34 PM

I think some miss the point that these items are custom made for the GT40 and nothing else. Price is what it is - personally, I thank the GT40 guru's out there who have devoted the machining time and resources to re-create/out-source these items to make them available to us.

Otherwise - happy hunting.

Chris

Dutton · 07-12-07, 05:46 PM

I'm right there with you, Chris. If I had the skills and tooling, I'd whip up a set.

For those interested, the gentleman who posted these items on eBay just sent me a few pics, one of which follows...

Steve26 · 07-12-07, 07:45 PM

They are beautiful but since none of these cars are original why are people spending sooo much money on parts like this. Does anyone really beleive people looking at any of these cars are going to say "it's nice but the latches arn't origional"? No matter what parts you put on your car it's a replica. Just my opinion!

Steve

Scott Calabro · 07-12-07, 07:47 PM

ERA sells this latch as a reproduction. Don't know the price or availability.

I do know HASCO still will mfg. the EXACT GT40 type Hartwell latch if you and others are willing to pony up for a prodution run. They may not be too bad pricewise if you can guarantee that they need no FAA/PMA approval or any FAA Form 8130. Hartwell also lists several stock latches on their website that are very close to original GT40 Hartwells. Or search aircraft boneyards for Boeing 7 series Radome latches, you will need the Boeing P/N though.

Best,
Scott

Bill D · 07-13-07, 12:15 AM

Scott
Do you know what HASCO defines a "production" run as? It may be to our advantage as a whole if we all pool money to purchase a production run and sell them to forum members wanting a set

JimmyMac · 07-13-07, 04:42 AM

Ellis Hubbard also makes them with the original rear-fixing channel in-situe which is missing from those in question.

See our thread :

Latchs & Hinges

Scott Calabro · 07-13-07, 07:38 AM

Hi Bill,

Thats a good idea Bill, I have no idea what the numbers would be. Today I am on vacation and all the latch info I have is on my PC @ work. I'll post it all here Monday evening. I won't be interested in the "pool" but you guy's can do what you wish with the contacts I have.

Be prepared though as aircraft parts can be costly. The term "not too bad" in my last post is a relative term! If it were me I would have a member who lives near one of the southwest's famous aircraft boneyards go and look at a few scrap Boeing's in person.

I have looked extensively and have used most of my industry sources to find original NOS Hartwells in a box...NFG.

Promblem is I need the aircraft specific illustrated parts catalog P/N's that these latches came from, not the Harwell P/N's which I have both of, to source them from an aircraft salvage/parts dealer.

I know they are out there though, its just not very high on my priority list right now.

If you want them bad enough and have the coin, they are yours for the asking.

Best,
S

Doc Watson · 07-13-07, 09:36 AM

They are out there if you look hard enough......

Andy

Gregg · 07-13-07, 10:27 AM

Andy, I 've searched for quite some time and have yet to find a set. I bought what was represented to me to be New Old Stock from David Blissett. The truth of the matter is that what he sold me was used crap curved cowling latches which weren't worth the postage to ship them to me here in the US.
I sent you a pm. Did you receive it.

Bill D. I spoke with Hartwell several years ago. Memory serves me, I believe a complete latch was several thousand dollars. I do not recall much of a price break for quantity.

Scott: didn't someone very near and dear to myself provide you with your part numbers???

Martin · 07-13-07, 10:44 AM

Hi Steve,

I think the point is that the holy grail for most would be to own an original. Few can afford to be in that prestigious club but getting as close as possible with a replica is the next best thing. I'm not speaking for all, again only my 2cents worth, but for some, these details make the difference beween a copy and a replica. Depends what you want, but isn't it nice that we have a choice.

Scott Calabro · 07-13-07, 10:56 AM

Well Gregg that credit would go to you! Unfortunately those P/N's are only good if you want HASCO/Hartwell to mfg. new ones. I have searched every Internet based aicraft salvage/parts broker with no joy. I need Boeing P/N's. I was going to buy a used set of 727 IPC's but they were too much money. As we have discussed through PM's, e-mails and phone conversations you and EVERYBODY on the forum will be presented with the source if I ever hit the NOS "Holy Grail" that Martin speaks of. No worries.

Also an almost exact latch can be procured NOW if one choose's, and since originals were modified ANYWAY for '40 use they would be good IMHO.

I will post the contacts Monday and you guy's can have at it.

Cheers,
Scott

Charlie M · 07-13-07, 01:00 PM

Scott,

I'd be interested in an "almost exact" latch myself. I look forward to the contact info.

I know the car I'm building is a replica and I'm not too hung up on authenticity as far as a lot of the components are concerned. I'm sure a lot of others out there feel the same way. It would be nice if we could start a thread or a database of the manufacturers/part numbers/sources of these "close enough" components.

Thanks,
Charlie

Bill D · 07-13-07, 01:07 PM

I bought mine from ERA. Expensive - $1200 for a set of 4

JimmyMac · 07-13-07, 05:25 PM

Gregg,

A lot of early cars had curved Hartwells for the front clip.

Gregg · 07-13-07, 05:51 PM

Jimmy, the latches I have came off an aircraft. Someone, my belief is David Blisset attempted to straighten them out and pass them off as flat. This was accomplished by the use of a file or belt sander. I will try and post pictures.

Gregg · 07-13-07, 06:21 PM

Jimmy, attached should be a picture of two of the latches. You may be able to make out the scratches. If you can't please trust me. They are there. To make matters even worse, Dave FILED down the bottom of the "press" tab in an attempt to make the latches work. He failed. Those two latches are forever ruined. And yes, David Blisset was unwilling to refund my money, and knew exactly that he was not shipping NOS latches as promised. Unfortunately for me, money went by wire transfer. So much for my "luck" with people named Dave.

JimmyMac · 07-13-07, 06:23 PM

Gregg,

I'm sorry to hear that you got stiffed.