DStroud

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About DStroud

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  1. DStroud added a topic in Kitfox I   

    Kitfox 1 ( highly modified ) build up
    Giday, Lads. I bought an unbuilt Kitfox 1 clone ( Raven ) a while back and started to do some common mods to make it safer and more convenient for me to fly. So far I have made the back of the turtle deck / front of vertical stab larger, made up some taller and wider landing gear, converted some upper tubes in the cabin overhead, strengthened the cabin cage and converted the control column to a single center seat, right side stick configuration. I'm just about done building up a Prosealed riveted front fuel tank behind the panel which might come out at about 5. 1/2 US gallons. 
    I will power it with a Verner 5V radial engine which I now fly on my little Headwind. ( youtube search Headwind first flight Kars Verner radial and you'll see a bit of it flying recently ). I've compiled quite a list of upgrades needed on the early Kitfox's to make them safer and now I'll ask for some suggestions on the flaperons. I'm aware that the hinges and wing attach points need attention. The ribs were already made and the lad did a nice job on them. I think I'd like to upgrade those fixings to a much newer type of Kitfox like maybe a six and reinforce the aft sides of the ribs then attach a left and right hangar on the top which droops down to attach the flaperon hinge to. Comments..thoughts please ? I haven't built the flaperons yet and see that mine were designed with a flat bottom but the later planes had a symmetrical flaperon. Upgrade to that too ? My package came with two nicely built fiberglass wing tanks ( probably the 6 gallon size ) and they are new and unused but built about 20 or so years ago. They have some coating on the inside but I don't think it is slosh....kinda looks like a light coat of grey paint. Because they are fiberglass, I'm thinking of sloshing them but need a recommend on a real good sloshing compound. I've used POR 15 before without long lasting good results but that could be put down as poor prep methods. Any ideas there would be appreciated. 
    I'll likely leave the horizontal stab and elevator the same size but will add a manually operated trim tab to the trailing edge. 
    I did find a very hard to get set of new, unused large wheels, tires including  Matco brakes and set that up on the new gear. I do have a list of about 10 mods to strengthen various parts including the elevator actuator hinge, the metal strap under the athwartship tube joining the lift strut attach points on the fuselage. And, by the way my new wing spar reinforcement I beams just arrived from Just Aircraft down South. $110 each US right now. 
    Thanks for any ideas you may recommend. 
    Dave Stroud
    • 0 replies
    • 251 views


  2. DStroud added a topic in Kitfox I   

    Kitfox 1 ( highly modified ) build up
    Giday, Lads. I bought an unbuilt Kitfox 1 clone ( Raven ) a while back and started to do some common mods to make it safer and more convenient for me to fly. So far I have made the back of the turtle deck / front of vertical stab larger, made up some taller and wider landing gear, converted some upper tubes in the cabin overhead, strengthened the cabin cage and converted the control column to a single center seat, right side stick configuration. I'm just about done building up a Prosealed riveted front fuel tank behind the panel which might come out at about 5. 1/2 US gallons. 
    I will power it with a Verner 5V radial engine which I now fly on my little Headwind. ( youtube search Headwind first flight Kars Verner radial and you'll see a bit of it flying recently ). I've compiled quite a list of upgrades needed on the early Kitfox's to make them safer and now I'll ask for some suggestions on the flaperons. I'm aware that the hinges and wing attach points need attention. The ribs were already made and the lad did a nice job on them. I think I'd like to upgrade those fixings to a much newer type of Kitfox like maybe a six and reinforce the aft sides of the ribs then attach a left and right hangar on the top which droops down to attach the flaperon hinge to. Comments..thoughts please ? I haven't built the flaperons yet and see that mine were designed with a flat bottom but the later planes had a symmetrical flaperon. Upgrade to that too ? My package came with two nicely built fiberglass wing tanks ( probably the 6 gallon size ) and they are new and unused but built about 20 or so years ago. They have some coating on the inside but I don't think it is slosh....kinda looks like a light coat of grey paint. Because they are fiberglass, I'm thinking of sloshing them but need a recommend on a real good sloshing compound. I've used POR 15 before without long lasting good results but that could be put down as poor prep methods. Any ideas there would be appreciated. 
    I'll likely leave the horizontal stab and elevator the same size but will add a manually operated trim tab to the trailing edge. 
    I did find a very hard to get set of new, unused large wheels, tires including  Matco brakes and set that up on the new gear. I do have a list of about 10 mods to strengthen various parts including the elevator actuator hinge, the metal strap under the athwartship tube joining the lift strut attach points on the fuselage. And, by the way my new wing spar reinforcement I beams just arrived from Just Aircraft down South. $110 each US right now. 
    Thanks for any ideas you may recommend. 
    Dave Stroud
    • 4 replies
    • 1,208 views


  3. DStroud added a post in a topic Supplementary shock cord system   

    Springs R not adjustable....you have to buy different springs if the ones you buy don't work right. Yes, you can shim springs if they are not strong enough  but then you loose compressible length. Not trying to argue here....I just think bungees add more opportunity to tweak . We'll see. 
    • 0


  4. DStroud added a post in a topic Supplementary shock cord system   

    Yep, I agree. KISS is good. Just looking for open opinions / ideas. I think my arrangement will be just fine with a variety of bungee combinations that could be installed. I will add separate tangs from the front and rear gear attach points for skis anyway. I built a Christavia with springs and my current Headwind has springs too. I got the calculation right and they work fine. The trouble with springs is that they are non adjustable while with bungees, the possibilities for adjustment are just about endless. I'll put up some pics when they are finished and in primer. Man....Aircraft Spruce is really short on tubing selection right now. 
    • 0


  5. DStroud added a post in a topic Supplementary shock cord system   

    To be clear, Buckchop...I referenced the Tweety bird setup because it seemed innovative and seems to work for that guy. Who knows what "really" works for stuff you see or hear on the internet I guess. You do seem to be well informed on landing gear setups. Could you please offer an opinion on my approach which is outlined above ? Thanks, Dave
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  6. DStroud added a post in a topic Supplementary shock cord system   

    I'm getting further along on the new landing gear and have built both sides and the cabane and now just getting into the shock struts. Fuselage height will be about 31" off the ground with the 20" tires and center to center "track"  of the tires will be about 76" sitting with wheels vertical. The fuselage is upside down on the floor of my garage for all this fitting. Now the bungee situation is getting very interesting....at least to me. I referenced the "Tweety bird" vid on youtube above and took many notes/ideas from that. I bought a 30' piece of 3/8"  "marine grade" bungee for testing. My bungee attach points on the shock strut are about 12" apart from another with the gear " up tight " ....or collapsed inward as if in the air flying. I made a single bungee with a short loop on one end to fit the shock strut attach point and made another short loop about 30" away. Hook the one loop on one end, go around the other end, wrap around the first end and attach the bungee loop to the second end. For sake of simplicity, we have 3 lengths in play now. I then put a second, similar bungee on the other side of the shock strut with the same three lengths and gave it the pull test. Seems interesting and progressing nicely. Then I took one bungee off one side and pulled it on harder and got it hooked up with four lengths. Harder to pull but felt smooth and predictable. Took the other bungee off and and pulled it up to four lengths too and couldn't budge the bugger. It then dawned on me that we have almost endless possibilities here with tuning the suspension any way I like / need it. I could even introduce any number of bungees of slightly different lengths to get some " progressive" resistance in the tuning of the gear. I know all will be different on the field ready to fly but it seems to show that I will be able to conduct more serious tests in the garage with the wheels on and enough weight loaded onto the fuselage to approximate a fully loaded airplane in the hangar. Any thoughts ? Dave.
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  7. DStroud added a post in a topic KitFox Raven Uncompleted Build in AZ for Sale   

    Interesting what you say, Allen. I'm now re-doing a " never really started " Raven clone of a KF1 into a single seater with a Verner 5Cyl radial engine. Upgrades to KF3 or so specs with slightly taller and much wider gear like the "Tweety bird" on Youtube. Larger dorsal fin and more size to the rudder and elevator. Electric Elev trim. Center seat, entry mainly from the left side door and sidestick on the right, left hand throttle, rudder /  brake pedals more or less centered. 72 x 48 prop. Pic is of my current Verner radial in an older Headwind resto.

    • 1


  8. DStroud added a topic in Technical tasks   

    Supplementary shock cord system
    I'm just getting into building my " longer, wider " gear for my modded KF1 project and noticed on Youtube there is a couple of fellas down South who have not only a cabane style bungee shock system but that is actually supplemented by a secondary shock cord system. It appears to be just a wire from one inboard axle fitting over to the other inboard axle system with enough slack in it wire to allow two extra " floating " shock "straps" to get attached up to the aft landing gear leg / fuselage fitting on each side. The theory is that the main shocks can be set up looser for smooth ops in normal landings but if the going gets tough, the upper supplementary shocks come into play to assist. Kinda hard to explain, but if you search Youtube for Kitfox Tweety Bird you'll see the system in operation. If this is a good idea, where would one find a " flat strap " type of bungee for the upper part pulling on the wire ? Any thoughts appreciated...
    • 10 replies
    • 1,808 views


  9. DStroud added a post in a topic Wheels, brakes, tires etc wanted to buy   

    I got lucky on this topic....I posted a wanted ad in a small ultralite group and a fellow replied within 2 days. He flys up in Labrador and only does skis and floats. He had a lightly used set of wheels, Matco brakes and tires and sold them to me for $100 !  Very nice guy  !
    • 0


  10. DStroud added a topic in For Sale and wanted, you got it, I want it   

    WTB 2 Master Cylinders
    Found myself a nice deal on old style Matco brakes, Douglas wheels, rotors etc. but no Master cylinders. Anyone have a serviceable pair laying around from an upgrade project ?  I need the MC4 type using a remote reservoir which I also need. We'd need them mailed to area code K0A 2T0, Ontario, Canada after payment's made. Thanks, Dave.
    • 1 reply
    • 312 views


  11. DStroud added a topic in For Sale and wanted, you got it, I want it   

    WTB 2 Master Cylinders
    Found myself a nice deal on old style Matco brakes, Douglas wheels, rotors etc. but no Master cylinders. Anyone have a serviceable pair laying around from an upgrade project ?  I need the MC4 type using a remote reservoir which I also need. We'd need them mailed to area code K0A 2T0, Ontario, Canada after payment's made. Thanks, Dave.
    • 0 replies
    • 246 views


  12. DStroud added a topic in For Sale and wanted, you got it, I want it   

    Wheels, brakes, tires etc wanted to buy
    Giday, Lads. I'm on the hunt for a set of Douglas ( type ) wheels, tires and complete brake system for my lightweight project.
    I think many on the forum have upgraded to heavier gear and this might be a good place to look. Anyone have some to sell ? 
    I'm in Ontario, Canada and will gladly pay shipping from just about anywhere on the continent for the right deal. Thanks, Dave. 
    • 2 replies
    • 813 views


  13. DStroud added a post in a topic New member from Canada Kitfox 1 rebuild project   

    Thanks for the feedback guys. Buckchop....your landing gear is about what I'd like to have. Could you please share the dimensions? Width of landing gear brake backing plate to the other side or end of axle to end on the other side and also the length of the leading edge of the gear V top bolt location to bottom at brake backing plate. Thanks..Dave
    • 1


  14. DStroud added a topic in Introduce yourself   

    New member from Canada Kitfox 1 rebuild project
    My name is Dave Stroud in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. I just picked up a fairly complete Kitfox 1 unfinished kit locally and need some info on common sense mods I should do to it before getting too far into the rebuild. I've scratch built planes before and prefer to do as much work as I can myself. I will use a Verner 5V radial engine that I currently fly on my rebuild Stewart Headwind. If you searched Youtube     Stroud Headwind Kars     you'd see my flying the Headwind locally. I'm getting up in years and finding it hard to get in and out of small airplanes so I'm doing a couple of mods some might find a bit far out. I've got no intention to fly with a passenger so I'll be flying from a solo seat mounted in the center of the plane. No left hand stick and the right hand stick will be pushed over even further to the right side acting like a " side stick ". Right hand on the stick then and left hand on the throttle. One set of rudder and brake pedals in the center. Two wing tanks will be used feeding a smaller, maybe five gallon header tank built from aluminum. The Verner radial is very light and weighs only 91 lbs plus the weight of a 4 quart external oil tank. Just about the weight of a Rotax 582 all up I think. 60 hp and bags of torque at 2,000 rpm. It's a direct drive engine which should operate at about 3.2 US gph. I realize that the gross is only about 850 lbs and I'm not looking to increase that, but I'd like to do some common sense mods while I'm working on it. I hear about internal spar stiffeners. My spars are the heavy ones...about .085" wall I think. I hear about reinforcing the cabin tubing in the area of the bungee attachment, cabin sides below the door area, I'd like to remove the cabin roof single diagonal brace and replace it with the split type heading aft left and right. I sometimes see steel plate reinforcement in the cabin frame area of the front spar attach points. I'm aware of extra reinforcement needed in the flaperon wing hangers. I'll likely use Carlson aluminum lift struts and make new landing gear likely with spring shocks and larger tires with single puck brakes. I hear about making the vertical fin, rudder and elevators larger. I won't be folding the wings but will make them foldable....any benefit of installing upper horizontal stab bracing that could be removeable ? I'm thinking of an electric elevator trim tab and a fixed tab on the rudder. I hear about making the front of the vertical fin larger / longer for additional stability. I've been thru Buckchops articles and I'm trying to learn as fast as possible. Has anyone actually made a list of "common sense " mods that might be useful in my case ? Thanks for any thoughts or leads to info you lads can provide. You seem like a pretty knowledgeable group. Dave...
    • 5 replies
    • 1,896 views