Activity Stream

Activity Stream



  1. TJay added a post in a topic Empty weights   

    I got to wondering where i was at so I stuck everything I could think of in my plane and weighed it, Im 420.6 lbs with out glass, paint, fabric, and wood streamlining material. I think I will be more in the 520lbs range, when finished that sounds normal.

    • 0


  2. EDMO added a post in a topic Lexan/plexi protective sticky paper removal   

    I wonder if anyone has tried soaking it in just plain water - like in a bathtub - I think I have some that is older than 25 years....maybe 35? Or with some liquid detergent?
    EDMO
    • 0


  3. dholly added a post in a topic WW II B-17 STORY   

    Ok, that is one crazy story. I went searching for more pics and found the 'rest of the story'.

    from MilNet:

    The bombardier 1st Lt. Ralph Burbridge, last known living crew member, said once landed they opened a fuselage trap door causing the plane to fall completely in two. Ralph flew throughout the war, including 8th Air Force's first Berlin raid. See his recounting of the mission HERE.

    NOTE: A Boeing engineer who inspected it stated that the airplane would not fly in such condition. Later the 124406 was rebuilt and returned to action by the 50th Service Squadron. Three survived from Captain Coulter’s bomber; Alfred D. Blair, bombardier; Ralph Birk, navigator and Sergeant Knight, tail-gunner entered a prison camp until the war was over.
    • 1


  4. dholly added a post in a topic Piper Clipper   

    How the hell does that happen? Sad, sad, so stoopid sad...
    • 0


  5. dholly added a post in a topic Lexan/plexi protective sticky paper removal   

    No alcohol! Acrylic sheet is affected, in varying degrees, by benzene, toluene, carbon tetrachloride, ethyl and methyl alcohol, lacquer thinners, ethers, ketones and esters. Do Not Use: Window cleaning sprays, kitchen cleansers, gasoline, benzene or carbon tetrachloride.

    One acrylic sheet manufacturer says:

    Personally, I would try low heat from wifey's hair dryer first. Once you get the edge lifted, keeping the heat on the contact area usually works good. Otherwise, soaking the paper with any light oil (cooking oil and even mayonnaise) and covering with plastic wrap so it doesn't dry might work. Downside is it will be much harder to peel in one piece. What about a citrus based cleaner? I also read Goo-Gone works good.

    Or getting more aggressive, I've read mineral spirits and turpentine works without damaging the plexi. Some say acetone (and, yes, I know that is not recommended based on compatibility charts), but seems to work without crazing if you don't let set on the sheet long (less than 10mins).

    From PracticalMachinist forums: [EDIT] Warning: Please disregard the following quote. DO NOT use Acetone (see post #26 in this thread)

    Plexiglass-Chemical-Resistance-Properties.pdf
    • 0


  6. RDavidson added a post in a topic Lexan/plexi protective sticky paper removal   

    Ed,

    A buddy of mine used the Aircraft Spruce stuff and told me it didn't do much.
    Any other ideas?

    Thanks,
    Ron
    • 0


  7. LSaupe added a post in a topic Laying Out Rib Stitching (Top to Bottom)   

    Thanks for the replies, great info.  Wings have not yet been painted, si it does help things a bit.  Yes, will bve using reinforcing tapes and new finish tapes after.
    • 0


  8. EDMO added a post in a topic Laying Out Rib Stitching (Top to Bottom)   

    Is this the wings that have already been painted?
    Are you going to use reinforcement tape before stitching, and then cover with finish tapes?
    If so, I think you need to cover leading edge of finishing tapes with new leading edge tape also.
    Looks like some touch-up painting to be done too?
    EDMO
    • 0


  9. KFfan added a post in a topic WW II B-17 STORY   

    Numbers? What numbers? LOL
    • 0


  10. TJay added a post in a topic Empty weights   

    ha Jim, Everytime I drop something it bounces right up in the plane and lands somewhere that i can see it.
    • 0


  11. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Piper Clipper   

    Unfortunately this beautiful plane is now dead. Cause of death: stupidity.

    http://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/brief.aspx?ev_id=20140224X30708&key=1
    • 0


  12. EDMO added a post in a topic Laying Out Rib Stitching (Top to Bottom)   

    We went by AC43-13 for stitching the Piper, which calls for 2 1/2" between stitches in the prop blast area, and 3 1/2" between stitches on the rest of the wing. I understand that to be on the top of the wing where stitching actually keeps the fabric from ballooning up from the rib. The first stitch should be 1/2 of the proper stitch distance from the leading edge on top.
    Quote from AC43-13: "The prop blast area is considered the diameter of the prop plus one rib." Please don't ask me how to figure this out. (prop diameter each side? or 1/2 for each side? or measure from middle of fuselage??)
    I guess experimentals don't have to go by AC43-13, but it is good practice.
    We laid out our hole patterns on the top, and then took that number of holes on one side of the rib and divided the chord of the bottom by that number, getting the dimensions between holes on the bottom. (maybe number of spaces works too?)
    Making a template for top and bottom makes the rest of the holes go in faster.
    Hope this is clear.
    EDMO
    • 0


  13. LSaupe added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    Laying Out Rib Stitching (Top to Bottom)
    Getting ready to rib stitch and see that I just cant lay out the same distances on the top vice the bottom (as I had hoped), due to the significant differences in arc length.  How do you guys typically hadle this?  At first pass I am thinking about laying out the bottom and them thansferring the top holes by putting a pointer through the bottom holes with a device to keep the pointer normal to the bottom surface.
     
    How is this typically accomplished?
    • 5 replies
    • 1,086 views


  14. EDMO added a post in a topic Flaperon Mixer Control Assembly   

    I have a set for early Kitfox.
    EDMO
    • 0


  15. C5Engineer added a post in a topic Empty weights   

    Mine weighed 533 with the E box and 2 radiators. I think we went way overkill on silver on the wings too. The original weight and balance with no electrical system and 532 was 484. I suspect mine is approaching 550 now with the upgrades I've done. It has 2 14 gallon wing tanks, no interior, sling seat, and no lighting at all besides the strobe on the tail.

    Dean told me every pound is 6 ft per second climb.
    • 0


  16. EDMO added a post in a topic Lexan/plexi protective sticky paper removal   

    Ron,
    If you don't find another way - Spruce sells some stuff for removing paper. I haven't tried it.
    EDMO
    • 0


  17. RDavidson added a topic in Avid Flyer General Hangar   

    Lexan/plexi protective sticky paper removal
    Fellas,

    I have all of the original Plexiglass pieces with protective sticky paper on them.
    Does anyone have a good way to get that 20 year old paper off?
    I haven't tried anything yet.

    Thanks,
    Ron
    • 70 replies
    • 7,904 views


  18. RDavidson added a post in a topic Superflite revisited   

    Thanks! That is a great idea...easy too!
    • 0


  19. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Empty weights   

    My Avid MK IV with the Jabiru engine weighed 585. That's the plane that I just painted the fuselage for. Spent a bit of time today starting to put things back into it. Jim Chuk
    • 0


  20. EDMO added a post in a topic Empty weights   

    The Bandit weighs 480 with shorter wings and smaller tail, and sparce interior - 500 is a good goal, but think somewhere between 500 and 600 is more realistic with 2 wing tanks - your big landing gear and some large tires will add some weight too.
    EDMO
    My bird is getting too heavy - Got to try to lighten it - Just don't know how yet!
    Would like to be under 850, but 800 would be better.
    May have to fly with one seat and no doors or turtledeck (Open cockpit?)
    ED
    • 0


  21. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Empty weights   

    My Avid B weighed 445 with a pull start and 532. Header tank behind the instrument panel, and two 5 gallon aluminum wing tanks. Don't put anything extra on the plane unless it passes this test. Hold the part above the ground. Let it go. If it doesn't hit the ground, put it on.... Easier said than done I know. Lighter plane performs better. That little Avid B would go from standing still to 500' AGL faster than a Super Cub with 150 HP when we timed them both. Jim Chuk

    PS I have a 1200 lb BRS that I'm not going to use.....
    • 0


  22. C5Engineer added a post in a topic Think I see Joey's plane in this video   

    This video is by my good friend Matt. That's a 47 Stinson 108-3 with a 220 Franklin and 29" bushwheels. Unfortunately it met its demise on Mile High in 2012. New owner is slowly rebuilding it though. This video was during our 2011 Johnson Creek trip. Cool find! Year prior Larry. I got there a day late and had to camp on the other side of the strip. After several days the walk to the showers and fire pits and the social part of the Flyin gets long when you are over there. In 12 I had a front row spot.
    • 0


  23. EDMO added a post in a topic WW II B-17 STORY   

    Could be the same? Looked like subtle differences - could be curvature of VS in first photo?Amazing Story - Thought maybe a movie had been made about it - Like the one where the belly gunner was trapped and if they landed with the gear up he would have been killed.....
    EDMO
    • 0


  24. TJay added a post in a topic Empty weights   

    Im hoping to keep mine at 500lbs thats my goal with every option and 582 wish me luck, might have to raise that if I decide to stick a brs in the baggage area for phase 1 test flying
    • 0


  25. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Think I see Joey's plane in this video   

    That maybe looks like the trip he "modified" his bush gear...
     

    • 0