Allen Sutphin

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Everything posted by Allen Sutphin



  1. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Sunlight   

    No, these are the standard Kitfox 2 gear legs, which are original. As of right now I decided against going with a different gear setup. The original gear setup is light, works  good and is plenty strong for a light model 2. Only disadvantage from what I understand is it requires a gentle touch on landing.  Being thrifty(cheap) I think $1200-3000 is a little pricy for a new set of gears.  But who knows, I might change my mind after I thump it in a few times. Mine measured 62" center wheel to center wheel and straight toe in/toe out. Grove shows their gear at the same width and heavier. But to each his own.
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  2. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic 582 unexplainable stoppage   

    Sounds like a foreign object in the gearbox. When you backed off the prop, it fell to the bottom. Otherwise, not a clue! But needs to be checked before running.
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  3. Allen Sutphin added a topic in Avid fox flyers pics and vids   

    Sunlight
    Fuselage finally seen some sunlight!

    • 5 replies
    • 819 views


  4. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Bungees   

    At least I am not the only slightly weird crazy airplane nut out there.  Maybe just a half bubble off level.
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  5. Allen Sutphin added a topic in Avid fox flyers pics and vids   

    Good Video
    Watched a good video on youtube this evening. Called "Pioneering: Ohio Bush Planes". The east coast version of The Flying Cowboys. They flew into my field a couple years ago, about seven of them. A couple Super Cubs, a couple Rans S-7's and a few others. They can handle a tail dragger as good as anyone I've seen. Maybe a little too brave!
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    • 428 views


  6. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Kitfox 1 aka "Foxy Brown"   

    Once you get it ready to fly, take a good picture. That's the best it will ever look. My old one, after the first 10 hrs, was covered in bug poop, cow poop, and other disgusting things. But dang, it still looked good to me!
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  7. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Bungees   

    I will have to say, the big tires make it look mean. I didn't realize tires could change the overall look that much. And these are the standard 21" tires, can't imagine how 26" or 27" ones look. Awesome! I spent 30 minutes just looking at it. Guess I am weird.
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  8. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Kitfox 1 aka "Foxy Brown"   

    Don't think I've ever seen that before?
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  9. Allen Sutphin added a topic in Technical tasks   

    Bungees
    Got the bungees on (myself) and wheels on! First bungee took an hour, second took 15 minutes.  With a little help from a ratchet strap.
    • 8 replies
    • 1,219 views


  10. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Brakes   

    Thanks for waking my relapse in memory. I remember the handle trick from 30 yrs ago on the model 4. I did watch the video again. Don't remember where I learned the handle trick 30 years ago since youtube didn't exist back then, well, the internet wasn't even up and running. How did we ever build aircraft without youtube? AW, now I remember, they hid information like that in books and other printed material. Geeish, I'm getting old.
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  11. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Brakes   

    I disassembled the calipers today, cleaned everything, seals in good shape, and put everything back together. Should be good to go. Now for the fun and exciting part, wrapping the bungees without getting killed!
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  12. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Brakes   

    Thanks!
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  13. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Brakes   

    They had 5606 fluid in them when I took them off, but I can't find any diagram of the caliper or piston disassembly. From all that I can find they do require a different fluid than 5606 but evidently it works just fine. Hopefully I can figure them out and rebuild them. Hate to trash can them. They are using Matco M-5 master cyl's so it must be a Heinz system. Never seen this type setup before.
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  14. Allen Sutphin added a topic in Kitfox II   

    Brakes
    Finally figured out what brakes are on my Fox that I am reconditioning. They are Enginetics brakes now owned by a company in Dayton Ohio. Evidently for racing go-karts and according to the website, parts are still available. Probably not for mine though. They worked good when I took them off for rebuild, they would hold the Sub motor at 50% throttle and slide the tires. I plan to reuse them if possible, no sense in buying high dollar brakes if I don't need to. About the only things to replace are the pads, lines, and O rings.
    • 7 replies
    • 1,212 views


  15. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Avid Airdale with Harley engine on barnstormers   

    "P" factor  would be the left/ right line.  But its your plane, do as you think best. As for the picture, Ray Charles could see the difference, but you could shim the mount, engine, or redo the cowling. But if you don't know how it flys now, you wouldn't know the results of whatever you do. Positive or negative or no change. A lot of planes have a 1.5 deg down mount, a lot don't so you could be worrying about something that doesn't exist. My final comment on the subject!
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  16. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Avid Airdale with Harley engine on barnstormers   

    Correct the engine issues and CG check and go fly the dang thing!  If there were no issues or surprises with the crow hops, there is no reason to re-engineer it.
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  17. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Avid Airdale with Harley engine on barnstormers   

    A short flight, even down the runway, should show if something is not aligned correctly. And what direction you need to go.  I guess I am confused as to why the issue if you haven't flown it and, since it has flown, and if there is an issue with it. But hey, its not my plane.
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  18. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Snowplay   

    You won't find anything on the web about it, most members are unaware of what a web is, except for that one in their head. Highly secretive and selective!  Seems you made the grade!!  Only benefits are being able to walk a little taller and smile a little brighter when you walk away from the plane.
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  19. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Snowplay   

    For someone that flys in the mountains and a tail dragger pilot, Its a informal club known as "The Brass Nuts Society". One only gets to join by experience. Been around since about 1914. Believe it was started in France by the Lafayette Escadrille.
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  20. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Snowplay   

    You are definitely a member of the "BN" society. A secret club for mountain pilots. Hat's off to you!
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  21. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Cutting off the motor mount   

    That's good to know. Maybe I don't or won't have a problem. Time will tell. If I don't have problems, no sense in fixing what ain't broke.
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  22. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Cutting off the motor mount   

    I don't know how well it would cool with free air. I know that the fan does an incredible job of keeping temps in check. Even in the challenger with forced air feeding the fan, if the belt breaks, you've got about 1 minute till things get quiet. I've seen several aircraft w/2 strokes that are always running on the ragged edge of overheating free air style or original fan configuration. The style of flying I do, overheating cannot be an issue. A reverse flow fan is the logical answer even if I have to have it made special. It might be possible to mount an electric fan in front and remove the rear one but the rear style fan is very efficient. Picking up hot air from the rear and sending it forward and out to be picked up again isn't good form. If I can't design a fan, I probably shouldn't be fooling with airplanes.  Some homebuilder (Dean Wilson) built a homebuilt to fly to the pole!
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  23. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Cutting off the motor mount   

    I flew a challenger for 6 years with an inverted 503 and never had a issue. The plugs did collect some oil after a week of sitting but still started just fine, and I was using BR8ES plugs. My model 2 will have an upright engine just because its easier to work on and no other reason.  I just wish I could find a reverse flow fan for my Hirth, it would cool 100% better but evidently one does not exist. Anybody have a 3D printer?
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  24. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Avid MK4 braking effect   

    I really wasn't too concerned whether it was compatible or not. I made the original for a quick in field repair when a brake line got torn off. But its still holding up good after a year or more. But you could drain out the fluid after using if concerned. Its not something one uses everyday unless there is a bunch of you and then everybody could chip in and pay 100+ for a good one that does the same thing. As an A&P , I rarely bled the brakes but a few times a year on different birds. Cessna's have a habit of the flexible lines under the floorboard going bad after 20 years and nobody checks till one blows.  And they are a PITA to replace.(confined area)
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  25. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic TD to TRI   

    I'd say they are more valuable, not that many of them. Supply and demand.
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