Activity Stream

Activity Stream



  1. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic DC6 Fun   

    Many of those turbine DC3s were converted here in Wisconsin, at Basler Flight Service on Wittman Field, home of EAA's Airventure.
     
    They are awesome planes.  Amazing that some of them are pushing 80 years old...
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  2. horsepower added a post in a topic DC6 Fun   

    Nice,Those old planes are awesome. We had some Smoke jumpers here this Summer and the Forest Service had a couple of the Old DC 3,s I think, converted and I went to Airport and watched them.They were converted to turbines and performed unreal.Thanks for the pics.Randy
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  3. EDMO added a post in a topic Superflite revisited   

    Ron,
    Thanks for clarifying - Wicks could have listed System 6 ?? Stewart has both a gray primer and a white - The white is not a UV blocker and needs to be applied over the gray before painting yellow or red finish colors, but the gray will crinkle under the finish coat if Mogas gets on it, and that is bad. Fortunately, we burn only Avgas in the J3, so never had a problem yet.
    EDMO
    When you sprayed the primer, did you have to use a viscosity #2 cup, or just mix and guess?
    EDMO
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  4. jackak added a post in a topic Aluminum vs Plastic Fuel Tanks   

    Ron,
     
    On my Avid Plus the fuel tanks leaked because I used brass fittings with O-rings against the tank, pressed in place with alarge area washer and coated with fuel resistant sealer.  The problem was that I couldn't tighten the nut on the fitting tight enough without forcing the O-ring out from behind the washer that was pushing it against the tank, and the sealer couldn't make up for the loosness.  When I screwed the barb fitting into the end of the bulkhead fitting that went through the tank it broke the seal and caused the leaks.
    The reason I went with the bulkhead fitting instead of the  grommet was there were some problems with the grommets being attacked by the ethenol in the fuel and leaking. 
    Although it looks like the tubing is just pushed into the plastic tank, usually there is a grommet inserted into a hole drilled in the side or bottom of the tank, a metal fitting with a barb on one end is inserted into the the grommet, then the fuel line is attached to the barb end of the fitting.
    What Randy and I have done is, after talking to the rep from Lock-tite, is to use, in place of the O-ring, a flat washer with an O-ring bonded to the inner opening of the washer, completely coated with swimming pool under water sealant, followed with a flat washer to mash it all against the tank.  Randy was able to really tighten the nut on the bulkhead fitting and then form the sealant that was forced out from around the washers, into a filet to seal the outer edge of both washers. 
    This has been a very trying effort because the fiberglass tanks weren't leaking to start with! I was trying to prevent a problem.
    We'll see how successful our efforts have been when we service the tanks.
     
    Jack 
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  5. SuberAvid added a topic in Avid fox flyers pics and vids   

    DC6 Fun
    Hunted out at this mine back in August.  These guys flew in a load of parts for a D8 including a pair of tracks and drivers.  Obviously they don't realize this is a cargo plane, they would fit right in at a local fly-in.  It is quite a sight and soundful to get buzzed by this thing.












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  6. SuberAvid added a post in a topic High Sierra Fly-in trip report   

    It's been a while since I have had time to get on the forum.  I just saw this; awsome picture Joey.  So sad to hear about the tragedy.  My prayers are with their families.
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  7. RDavidson added a post in a topic Superflite revisited   

    Ed,
    Wicks is wrong unless they are selling an older system paint of Superflite.
    Superflite System 7, SF7500 is used as "Fabric Filler, Primer, and UV Block" according to the current manual. The top coat might still have some uv block properties, but it isn't listed like that...
    Like I said, it might be different for the older systems, including dope systems.

    Ron
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  8. RDavidson added a post in a topic Aluminum vs Plastic Fuel Tanks   

    Leni,

    I was wondering about the plumbing on thes tanks at wingtanks.com
    The plumbing looks like clear tubing pushed in a drilled hole! Is that right? And is that what is causing the problems?
    That has to be frustrating after using those because the old tanks were leaky!

    Ron
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  9. RDavidson added a post in a topic Superflite revisited   

    Thanks for the encouragement guys!

    Paul, I'm going to try the neat epoxy on my fuselage boot cowls, thanks for the tip!

    Ed, you might be right, I can't remember which one had the UV blocker in it, I think I just assumed it was in the primer. I'll look it up.

    High Country, I have been joking that I'm going to leave it primed because it is actually off white and hides all of my mistakes! So you had to paint white over the gray prime to keep the gray from darkening the yellow?
    I learned that the hard way painting over green treated aluminum with white top coat...looked great in the hangar, but roll it out in the sun and the white turned grayish! Luckily it was only on two of the panels!

    Thanks again,
    Ron
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  10. EDMO added a post in a topic Superflite revisited   

    Ron,
    You have stated that the primer coat was white, and I read in one of my catalogs, I think it was WICKS, that the primer coat is the same chemical as the fabric, and NOT a UV Blocker - It said the UV Block is in the finish coat paint.
    From the prices I have seen, there are lots of cheaper paints available. I was thinking about using the primer and then going to a different brand of finish paint, but guess I will do the silver UV coats instead, because Stewarts UV coat may be OK with Avgas, but not with Mogas.
    Glad you are progressing - hope to see the finished plane soon.
    EDMO
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  11. wypaul added a post in a topic Superflite revisited   

    The easiest way to fill pinholes is to squeegee the fiberglass with neat epoxy before you do any priming or painting. Any kind of filler will bridge the hole and then it reappears when you sand it.
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  12. JustNorm added a post in a topic PLASTIC STRUT FAIRINGS?   

    I put strut fairings on my Buzzard and picked up about 10 mph. My climb is also much better and flying with two on board is much easier.  Strut fairings are the best thing I have done to this plane ever.  I built mine out of thin aluminum flashing from home depot.  (used the type that was brown on one side and white on the other)  I used an eight foot break and put two folds into the material.  then wrapping it around the tube I riveted it at the rear and attached to the struts with spray foam.  I used the thin aluminum to test the effectiveness of the mod.  It is certainly worth doing.
    Norm
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  13. marksires added a post in a topic Aluminum vs Plastic Fuel Tanks   

    And when they go out of business he'll blame bad economy, cheap pilots, etc etc.  Couldn't possibly be he wouldn't return a simple phone call.
    Mark
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  14. akflyer added a post in a topic Aluminum vs Plastic Fuel Tanks   

    sweet, that is a quick easy fix!  I know, I drooled over one that was at the Soldotna airport years ago.  Lots of room and built pretty stout.  I am not sure why there are not more of them flying up here.  After Merlin folded the first time, a guy in Canada started making the lil buzzard.  It is pretty much a copy of the Merlin GT.  I tried to get ahold of the guys that make the lil buzzard a few years ago as I wanted to be a dealer for them up here and buy one for myself, but I could never get the guy to call me back or answer an email...
     

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  15. lv2plyguitar added a post in a topic Aluminum vs Plastic Fuel Tanks   

    The only damage is to one wing.  Trailing edge on one rib got bent and the aileron attachments got bent to one side.  I am golden otherwise.  You would not believe the amount of cabin space in this plane.  I could take a 6' 6" 500 lb guy with me if it could get off the ground.  I think the cockpit is 42" wide. 
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  16. EDMO added a post in a topic Aluminum vs Plastic Fuel Tanks   

    If you contact Merlin, be sure to also ask about the tank mounting - Piper has two straps that hold the tank in the wing. The removable cover that Leni mentioned is also used in some models.
    EDMO
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  17. Bandit added a post in a topic Aluminum vs Plastic Fuel Tanks   

    The plastic insert tanks can be used as main tanks also. The main tanks on my SkyRaider are the same tanks I put inside my crap fiberglass tanks on my Avid.
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  18. EDMO added a post in a topic Wing strut covering?   

    Extreme cost and weight - my Piper struts weigh a lot more than the 1" tubing for my Foxy. I have 4 J3 struts that I will sell.
    EDMO
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  19. akflyer added a post in a topic Superflite revisited   

    SWEEEEEET  We love seeing progress pictures!  Keep at it and you will be in the air in no time. 
     

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  20. akflyer added a post in a topic Aluminum vs Plastic Fuel Tanks   

    I am pretty sure its a couple pieces of the aluminum bent to shape and riveted together.  It looks like it may have some angle riveted along the top and bottom as well.  I did a little research and it seems that everyone pretty much agrees that the plane is built hell for stout and is a great performing little bird!  I think After COMP quit making it I think there is a factory in Canada producing it now called the Merlin EZ.  You may try to get ahold of them if you need any parts that you cant make yourself.
     
    Are the wings hammered on it or was it just a little bit of fuse / gear damage? 
     

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  21. lv2plyguitar added a post in a topic Aluminum vs Plastic Fuel Tanks   

    Lenny.  What does that mean that the wing has a .080 laminated wing I beam.  I am not sure what the laminated means.
     
    Thanks
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  22. akflyer added a post in a topic Cliff's plane pictures   

    Congrats!  Look forward to seeing progress pics of the place and future fly ins!
     

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  23. akflyer added a post in a topic Prop selection Rotax 582 grayhead w B box 2.58:1   

    Like I said, I carried the wrenches and extra blade blocks with me just in case.. I probly have 10-15 pounds worth of tools that I keep in the plane at all times.  If need be, I can tear the engine down or be able to take off any nut on the plane.  You really don't need that many wrenches / tools to be able to fit every nut and bolt on the plane as well as a roll of safety wire and safety wire pliers.   I think I have probly used the safety wire more than anything else in the tool bag.... makes the best hose clamps and has doubled as cotter pins, tail wheel chains, tail ski restraint etc over the years of flying the Avid.
     

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  24. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Aluminum vs Plastic Fuel Tanks   

    Avid had/have plastic tanks that slip into the old tanks, or can be mounted by themselves I believe. The website is wingtanks.com Jim Chuk

    Leni, you hit send while I was still typing. ;-)
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  25. akflyer added a post in a topic Aluminum vs Plastic Fuel Tanks   

    Ed,
     
    Wingtanks.com have the plastic tanks for the Avid / Kitfox, I know several guys that have them, I also know of a couple who are not real happy as they have a lot of plumbing and lots of potential leaks. That is what has Jack grounded right now till they can get the leaks to seal up on all the plumbing. 
     
    Jeff,  Those tanks are not part if the wing structure like the Avids / Kitfox, I would not think twice about using them.  If it is a potential issue, you can put a hinged lid on the top op the wing so you can take them out and get them welded up at some point in the future should the need come up, just like the pipers have.
     

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