Neloner

Members
 View profile  See their activity

  • Content count

    119

  • Joined

  • Last visited


Everything posted by Neloner



  1. Neloner added a post in a topic Kitfox 3 Bushplane Project.   

    Doug I hear ya, will grab a gallon of that tomorrow when I am running errands and soak everything in the wings tomorrow afternoon. wont be covering for a few weeks so can probably do it a couple times. 
    Spent yesterday afternoon finishing removing the old glue from the airframe. thats just a whole bunch of fun, but luckilly I suckered a buddy of mine into helping me rub MEK all over the plane, so we had someone else there to drag whoever passed out first into the fresh air . Then spent today cleaning the powder coat off of the tubing where the gussets will be going in along the seat truss and above the gear mounts, that took a lot longer than anticipated. Also wasted an hour and a half stripping the dash cover of whatever material was glued onto it thirty years ago, which took much longer than anticipated as well. Im starting to sense that I under-anticipate the time it takes to do everything….. Wondering if my goal of ready to fly by June is too optimistic?
    Anyhow should be spending tomorrow getting the gussets cut and fit so the welder can just go along and stitch them in nice. Also waiting on the Murle Williams wide body kit so I can mock that up and prep things so its just a matter of welding on. 
    On another note, I took measurements today and the tail cannot get taller, I measured a total of 87" currently from the ground to the top of the rudder when the plane is siting on the trailer (which it will be every single time I come back from flying and put it away) Measurement of my barn door, 89". So will just extending the chord of it be enough?
    One last thing, will be ordering all of the covering supplys/ paint from Wicks tomorrow and am still torn on the color I want to paint it. I would still like to do a sport green and black scheme, but am worried about the red tubing clashing. My Mkiv avid was white and red and I did like that color scheme so wondering if I should just go white and red with this as well. Oh decisions
     
    Oh mek fumes. Note the slightly confused/ distant look on my buddies face….

    My kitfox can play dead. Easier to clean off the bottom sides of the tubing when they arent the bottom sides

    • 0


  2. Neloner added a post in a topic Kitfox 3 Bushplane Project.   

    Yea that rudder looks nice Doug, Ill take some measurements to figure out my limitation on height. I need to be able to pull it into my barn while its on its trailer, although I could also drop the tailwheel perch on the trailer as well if need be. Ordered 32' of 3/8" .035 moly tubing, got enough to play with the elevators as well if your buddies are up for it, may end up doing that electric trim tab as well, read through those threads you suggested and doesn't look too complicated to add in. 
    • 0


  3. Neloner added a post in a topic Kitfox 3 Bushplane Project.   

    ^Perfect I will go read up! Spending today removing glue from all the tubing
     
    • 0


  4. Neloner added a post in a topic Kitfox 3 Bushplane Project.   

    back to this, ordered a bunch of 3/8 .035 tubing to modify the tail feathers. Any specifics on the best way to do this? How big should we make them? Dholly suggested making the rudder chord longer as well as taller and wrapped over the top to the leading edge of the vertical stabilizer, which sounds good to me as long as it still fits into my barn on its trailer. Any pics or threads of anyone modding their tail feathers?
    • 0


  5. Neloner added a post in a topic Kitfox 3 Bushplane Project.   

    Worked on the wingtips yesterday night and this morning, pulled out all the old Whelan lights, 2.7 lbs in each wingtip! Will be replacing them with the self contained LED whelan microburst lights, should save about 5 pounds out of the wings. Also had to separate the two halves of each tip so I could grind out all the old resin/ Hysol that used to hold them together and was failing. Ground down to fiberglass wiped it off good with MEK and rehysoleed it together. Also got a couple more coats on the floorboards. 
     

     

     

    • 0


  6. Neloner added a post in a topic Kitfox 3 Bushplane Project.   

    Any info on these tanks, put an order in for new ones but figured I should check with you guys, these are the old ethanol susceptible tanks correct?

    • 0


  7. Neloner added a post in a topic Kitfox 3 Bushplane Project.   

    Yea, Dholly was of the same opinion so that what I will do, will be fabbing up those gussets once the sheet shows up. Made some more progress today, cut and fit new floorboards, and started coating them, which should take a few days. Also stripped all of the polycarbonate off of the doors. (the specs all over the pictures is dust in my phone lens ;/
     

     

     

    • 0


  8. Neloner added a post in a topic Kitfox 3 Bushplane Project.   

    On its way!

    • 0


  9. Neloner added a post in a topic Kitfox 3 Bushplane Project.   

    Love it, this is what I will do , thank you sir!
    On another note, have the thing completely stripped now and getting ready for welding in gussets for the longerons over the gear and the seat truss. What do yall think about just welding a plate to the outside of the fuse, instead of cutting a bunch of triangles to fit inside each opening. I would still do lightening holes to lighten it up as well. Also I will be installing Murle williams widebody so the fabric will be spaced away from those tubes anyhow (so it wont look weird with a big plate under the skin). Also thinking about adding a couple gussets to the rear above the tailwheel cluster weld, does this area ever fail? Seems like the next area that would be likely to take a hit
    • 0


  10. Neloner added a post in a topic Kitfox 3 Bushplane Project.   

    Spent the day working on this thing. Cringed as I stabbed through the fuselage fabric, but got it all pulled off except the top of the tail. Powerwashed the entire airframe after I removed it all, and the hot water powerwasher removed the bits and pieces left on the tubing. Dried it out and put it back in the barn so I could yank the engine. Tomorrow Ill peel the tailfeathers and top of the tail as well as the landing gear.
    The next order order of business is getting prepped for welding, going to have the wide body kit welded on, and reinforcements around the landing gear attach points and seat truss. Any tips as to the thickness and type of material to use for this? Chromoly sheet? And any pics of strategic placement of gusseting would be helpful as well, want to add some but not too much weight. 
    -still getting quotes on coverings, although almost sure Im going to use stewarts
    -Extended tailfeathers and trim are out, Kitfox quoted me 1150 for that kit, not including shipping which would be substantial. 
    -Pretty much decided I want a 100hp timed out rotax for this now, just for ease of install



    • 0


  11. Neloner added a post in a topic Kitfox 3 Bushplane Project.   

    Ok cool, just put an order in with Murle Williams :)
    • 0


  12. Neloner added a post in a topic Kitfox 3 Bushplane Project.   

    Tjay- what material did you use for strengthening the landing gear area? I'd like to do that and the seat truss. 
    Dholly- just washed the wings, I don't see much corrosion at all except for the trailing edge angled aluminum has a bit where a nest was. Rinsed everything out repeatedly. Pulled the tanks as well. These are going into the rafters until the tanks come, if you want to come give your professional opinion you'd be welcome ;)
    • 0


  13. Neloner added a post in a topic Kitfox 3 Bushplane Project.   

    best method for this? 
    does anyone have pictures of this, Dholly suggested this as well
    • 0


  14. Neloner added a post in a topic Kitfox 3 Bushplane Project.   

    Well felt bad making several mice homeless but spent a bit peeling the wings today, insides look pretty good minus the mouse nests, hysol bond on the leading edge of the inboard rib  broke on both wings. Gotta clean them up and re epoxy the ribs but going to wait until the new tanks get here. Going to peel the fuselage tomorrow
    %5BURL=http://s948.photobucket.com/user/neloner/media/C610E2F3-EA56-481E-A7F5-E2FA839085A4_zpswpczqdnu.jpg.html] 
     
    %5B%5BURL=http://s948.photobucket.com/user/neloner/media/3A8BC490-3532-4DDA-90A1-8DBC1448237D_zpsl03llhp0.jpg.html%5D%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad326/neloner/3A8BC490-3532-4DDA-90A1-8DBC1448237D_zpsl03llhp0.jpg%5B/IMG%5D%5B/URL%5D
    • 0


  15. Neloner added a post in a topic Kitfox 3 Bushplane Project.   

    You are an expensive person to know...
    I used stewarts on my avid for a couple small things and liked it a lot, simple and no fumes. Your recommending sticking with their line of paints is what Im gathering, which I would do as long as they have my colors
    Perhaps I wasn't too clear, definitely not talking about a new 912ULS, definitely not in my budget. Im currently discussing a timed out 3 year old 912uls from a flight schools SLSA. 1930 hours but only a few years old and all ADs complied with and all logs, asking 5500? Does this sound like a viable option? Was kind of leaning towards just buying something like that and throwing it in. (After I beef up the engine mount Doug ) Then sell my 25 year old one for whatever on barnstormers. 
    -Any consensus on if I should do that or put a 104 low compression zipper on the old mill currently in the plane. I just worry about the fact of what happened squishing a bearing in the lower end or something. This is the most difficult question Im trying to decide on. Im personally leaning towards the used ULS but could be convinced to go either way
     
    Edit: I read up on Oratex and it is intriguing but their color selection is minimal, and if I had to paint it would kind of defeat the purpose. 
    • 0


  16. Neloner added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    Kitfox 3 Bushplane Project.
    Hi fellas. Going to be starting a new project here and would love the advice and guidance of those aboard that know a whole lot more about these planes than I. I was lucky enough to acquire a nice older kitfox Model 3 that has been sitting for years since the 912 in it dropped a valve and mangled a piston. My idea for this plane is to build a very capable STOL craft with good bush capabilities. I am lucky enough to have DHolly as a relative neighbor and he came over the other day to help me formulate a plan for the build (and convince me to do many things I wasn't really thinking of. Anyhow here is the rundown of what I would like to do to the machine. Please advise as to any additions you would suggest, or things you wouldn't bother with, or if my estimated prices in your experience are way off.
    %5BURL=http://s948.photobucket.com/user/neloner/media/A1A9C34C-5602-4C23-B63E-DFE5338C781D_zpsnasarjbl.jpg.html%5D%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad326/neloner/A1A9C34C-5602-4C23-B63E-DFE5338C781D_zpsnasarjbl.jpg%5B/IMG%5D%5B/URL%5D
    %5BURL=http://s948.photobucket.com/user/neloner/media/90C0E329-FC56-48C4-99F3-01902670A39A_zpsifnaa6pp.png.html]
     
    Keep in mind, trying not to exceed a 15k budget here, the less the better
    1.) Motor needs a lot of attention. Im thinking it would be easiest to just pull the 912ul and buy a functional 912uls and throw it in. Doug suggested a 104hp zipper kit but we also looked up the serial number on the engine, and it is pretty old with a TON of AD's to perform. Thinking I have enough work ahead of me without having to rebuild a questionable bottom end and try to update everything on the motor.       
    Budget 5-6k motor replacement with core
    2.) Doug convinced me the entire plane needs a recover :). So going to redo it all in Stewart systems. Ordered 2 new ethanol resistant tanks from kit fox to put in the wings as well
    Budget 1k for tanks, 1,500 for covering supplys. 
    3.) Repaint. Trying to decide what the best paint to use is. Love the idea of easy repairs on polytone but do love the look of aerothane. Any ideas about approximate costs for a kitfox paintjob if I bring the plane in ready to spray? I will post a picture of a yellow and red plane below, thats the scheme I would like but in lime green and black. 
    Budget ??
    %5BURL=http://s948.photobucket.com/user/neloner/media/EE21B16A-4981-4891-BD6D-08030A9936ED_zpsanymvol4.jpg.html]
    4.) New prop, Im thinking Koolprop, to match whatever engine I end up putting in
    Budget 1,300
    5.) T3 suspension tailwheel. Just because I want one
    Budget 700
    6.) Bush gear? I loved the Wide gear on my avid, what would a good bush gear be on the model 3 and approximate cost? Planning to powdercoat the wheels and redo the brakes with 21 inch Nancos for now, 26" airstreaks later. 
    Budget- ??
    7.) Misc improvements, Wide body kit, fuselage strengthening, powdercoating, Maybe GPS to replace the LORAN in the panel
    Budget 3k?
     
    • 209 replies
    • 21,721 views


  17. Neloner added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    Buying advice
    Hi all, 
    Happy Avid MKiv pilot here but stumbled across a plane locally for sale and considering adding it to the barn. Anyone know anything about protech PT-2s? Seems similar in theory to an Avid/ kitfox, but slightly larger. Folding wing design, but all metal and a continental O-200-a up front. Anything anyone would suggest looking out for on one of these? Been in storage for almost 15 years, but stored very very well in a heated garage, and the motor properly cared for. Any advice appreciated or any reviews of anyones experience flying one of these. Thank you!
    • 1 reply
    • 407 views


  18. Neloner added a post in a topic Wanted: IVO prop 3 blade LH   

    Hey Jim, pm me your number if you still need it
    • 0


  19. Neloner added a post in a topic New Member!   

    Plane has been running great, done a couple fly ins the last couple weeks, and a bunch of tootling around locally. Did end up adding a belly radiator, which helped with the temps, but think my prop is set a hair to coarse, causing the higher coolant temps and lower egts. Funny think is Ill get 6280 rpm on static, but flying straight and level only see around 6100. Still waiting on my replacement kievprop blade so not going to worry about it until I remove thd Ivo and then Ill play with pitch. 




     
     
    • 0


  20. Neloner added a post in a topic Wanted: IVO prop 3 blade LH   

    Might have one for you if my kiev prop ever gets here
    • 0


  21. Neloner added a post in a topic New Member!   

    In the sky again! Running great. Glad to have the fixes done. Modified the tailwheel a bit so its harder to get it to decouple from the rudder, I think that is what caused me to loop it in the first place. Still curious about cooling though, on climbout on a warm day it will break 180 degrees. Ive read it should never get higher than that. Wondering if I should ad a belly radiator to it? Think the highest Ive seen was 186-7 but cools right off after I level out. Thoughts? Should mention cruise temps seem to be around 170-175

     
     
     
    • 2


  22. Neloner added a post in a topic Economical Application of 2-Part Paints   

    Looks good Doug!
    • 0


  23. Neloner added a post in a topic New Member!   

    Making progress, should be up again soon. Wrapped the new leg in cloth and put stewart systems stuff on it, pretty pleased withit given it was my first cloth work and I brushed everything on. Anyhow it can finally sit on its own gear again, Dholly helped me wrap the bungees quick today. Pleased to get the trailer put from under it, makes for a lot more room in the garage. 

     
    Also finally got some rain around here and the new strip is starting to look respectable!

     
    • 1


  24. Neloner added a post in a topic New Member!   

    blah! Sounds unfun. Look forward to seeing your progress though! 
    As far as the krinkling, yes there is actually a spot on the plane that krinkled from the old leaky tanks before the rockymountain wing tanks were put in. Paint is still intact, but puckered up where the fuel seeped out. Oh well, something to fix when I do a full wing recover. 
    • 0


  25. Neloner added a post in a topic New Member!   

    Progress. New tubes TIGed in, primed, recovered, patches all on, the gear from alaska showed up so I primed the leg I needed and wrapped in fabric. Tomorriw will be spent applying 3-4 coats of Ekofill and sanding, and then I can do color coats. 


    p://s948.photobucket.com/user/neloner/media/069B77E2-84C3-44E5-BB2E-B87D8932C237_zpsbsu1wl58.jpg.html]


     
     
     
     
    • 0