Vintage Aircraft Services Decatur, Texas · Since 1972

Aircraft Refurbishment

Single-engine refurbishment, from fabric to firewall.

A frame-off restoration, a fabric recover, a sheet metal patch, or a panel update — each gets the same level of craft. Vintage Aircraft Services is set up to do the work, not outsource it.

Capabilities

What we do.

Major Sheet Metal Fabrication & Repair

From a single rib replacement to a full fuselage skin rework. We fabricate patch panels, doublers, and complete assemblies in aluminum — matching original gauges, tempers, and rivet patterns. Custom sheet metal parts are a specialty when STC'd replacements no longer exist.

Fabric Recovering

Full fabric recover on tube-and-fabric airframes using certified processes (Stits Poly-Fiber or equivalent, depending on original). Dacron covering, rib lacing, reinforcing tapes, and final dope and paint systems — done in a clean, dry environment so the fabric lays flat and lasts.

Component Painting & Refinishing

Control surfaces, wheel pants, fairings, and interior panels refinished to match original schemes or updated to current owner preference. Surface prep, primer systems, and topcoat selection matched to the part's environment and use.

Instrument Panel Updates

From a simple black-face replacement to a full panel rewire with modern avionics. We work with the avionics shop of your choice — or recommend one — and handle the structural work: panel fabrication, sub-panel wiring, lighting, and labeling.

Custom Battery Cables

Yes — we fabricate battery cables to length. Most owners don't realize their battery cables are undersized, corroded, or routed through chafe points. We build new cables to spec with correct gauge, proper termination, and protective routing.

Major & Minor Airframe Repair

Annual and 100-hour inspections, damage repair, AD compliance, and airworthiness-directive return-to-service. We work on certified vintage and antique airframes and on experimental builds.

The Process

How a refurbishment moves through our shop.

  1. Intake & assessment. The aircraft arrives, we go over it with the owner, photograph the work scope, and write up a written estimate. No work starts until you sign off.
  2. Disassembly & documentation. Every fastener, clip, and bracket goes into labeled bags. We document wiring, control routing, and trim positions before they come apart — so reassembly matches the original or your approved changes.
  3. Structural & sheet metal work. Patch fabrication, doublers, rib repair, control surface re-skinning. We work in aluminum unless the original is steel (then we match).
  4. Fabric & finish. Recovering, priming, painting. We let each layer cure properly and don't rush the schedule to hit a delivery date.
  5. Panel, electrical & systems. New cables, new panel wiring, updated avionics mounting, magneto installation and timing.
  6. Reassembly & rigging. Control surfaces balanced and rigged, landing gear rigged, fuel system checked for leaks, cowling fit and latch.
  7. Return to service. Final inspection, logbook entries, weight and balance updated, and a test flight or taxi verification as appropriate.

Aircraft We Work On

Examples of airframes in our shop.

If your airplane isn't on this list, ask. We've probably worked on it or something close.

Cessna

120, 140, 170, 172 (early), 175, 177, 180, 182 (early), 190/195

Piper

J-3 Cub, PA-11, PA-12, PA-14, PA-15/17 Vagabond, PA-18 Super Cub, PA-20 Pacer, PA-22 Tri-Pacer, PA-24 Comanche

Beechcraft

Bonanza 35 (pre-1969), Musketeer, Sport, Sierra

Aeronca

7AC Champ, 7CC Super Champ, 7DC, 11AC Chief, 15AC Sedan

Taylorcraft

BC-12D, BF-12, BL-65, B-series

Bellanca

7ACA, 7DC, 8KCAB Decathlon, 17-30 Viking

Maule

M-4, M-5, M-6, M-7

Stinson

108, 108-2, 108-3

Other / Experimental

Zenith, Vans RV (early), Glastar, Sonex, and other builder assist projects

Starting a project? Let's talk.

Send us photos, the aircraft's N-number, and what you have in mind. We'll respond with an honest assessment of scope, timeline, and rough cost.

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