Eric's project updates

[Acroeric]

Re: Eric's project updates

Lots of progress the past 2 weeks! My engine is now fully assembled and it looks awesome. The engine mount is being built and as soon as I can mount the engine I'm taking the fuselage to a local sheet metal guy to let him build the cowling and gear covers/ fairings. He is also going to build a custom header tank with an internal aerobatic tank/ stand pipe. My total fuel capacity will be around 24 gallons- not as much as the 32 gallons I had originally planned but the extra wing tank adds 15 pounds and I need to reduce some porkeyness. I'll still have about a 300 mile range.

My second wing is trammeled and the ribs are glued into place- tonight I'll varnish the forward side of the front spar and ribs then glue on the leading edges tomorrow. Since I am leaving out the wing tank this one will go much faster than the last. I'd say that by the end of October I'll have 2 wings done and be ready to start covering stuff!

I'll post some pictures once I figure out how my album got so much spam in it- looks like we had some problems with a virus in the photo albums!

[Acroeric]

Re: Eric's project updates

Ok- been a while since an update-

Worked on it all weekend and have the fuselage covered and all the tapes are on. I only have the inspection plate reinforcements to install and I'll be ready to go to the spray booth. The tailfeathers and gear are covered too and ready to spray poly brush. My plan is to go ahead and paint the fuse, tail, and gear in the next few weeks while we have good weather, install and plumb my engine and avionics, windscreen, greenhouse roof, doors etc then cover the wings early in the spring when good painting weather returns. I finished the cowling, engine mount, and boot cowling a few weeks ago. The wings are done and ready to cover except for a little work on one aileron. With a little luck I will fly it to Oshkosh next year. I'll post some pictures soon. Had a nice visit Saturday by Hal- it is good to see another clipwing going together locally!
E

[mulwyk]

Re: Eric's project updates

Very exciting news! And it's interesting how these projects seem to run on a schedule of the seasons. Almost like farming. Go Eric!

[Hal]

Re: Eric's project updates

Hi Eric,
Could you post pictures of the spades along with dimensions?
Hal

Thanks for the comment regarding my wingtips. I went through about 5 different designs before I settled on this one. I was shooting for something that matched the classic lines of the Tcraft. The ailerons got a set of spades last night and are now balanced.

[Acroeric]

Re: Eric's project updates

Hal- I'll be happy to. I am hoping to get some time to take lots of pictures for the builders log this weekend anyway. Looks like we will be moving it to the paint booth on Saturday!

I'm still struggling wiith the aileron design- I really want to build a set of 30% hinged symmetrical ailerons that are pushrod actuated. . . . . I've never been happy with the frise setup for acro. . . .

[Marcus Bates Jr]

Re: Eric's project updates

Eric.....in stead of the fuel injection, look into a PS-5 carb for the inverted setup......Dad had one on his Pitts and flew !00's of trouble-free hours with it....Marcus

[Acroeric]

Re: Eric's project updates

Sprayed the 1st coat of silver this morning- goal is to have the gear and fuse ready for wet sanding and the last of silver tomorrow. I am still not sure if I am going to go with Poly Tone or Ranthane for the top coat. Color will be soon. I am finding poly fiber really easy to use and enjoy spraying the silver- I hear that Poly Tone sprays just like Poly Spray.

[Acroeric]

Re: Eric's project updates

Just finished wet sanding the fuse and gear, wiped it down really good and will hit it one more time with cleaner tomorrow before I spray my last coat of silver. After that it is 1 coat of Poly Tone white just before the yellow goes on. I decided to go ahead and use Ranthane as a top coat. With any luck in 1.5 weeks I will be removing tapes and admiring a pretty descent looking completed fuselage sitting on the gear.

My goal is to get the engine and avionics installed this winter, finish the new ailerons, and be ready to cover wings in the spring. I might make sun n fun after all!
E

[Acroeric]

Re: Eric's project updates

Fuselage and gear are done with the final coat of yellow- it came out really nice for my first time. It will look flawless at 130mph and inverted

Scallops go on tomorrow and then the landing gear is installed Saturday for good. . . .

Pics to come later tonight- For everyone who bought parts from me- Im planning to ship stuff Friday- I have been taking advantage of this awesome painting weather!!
E

[Acroeric]

Re: Eric's project updates

here are some progress pics...........trim goes on tomorrow!

[Acroeric]

Re: Eric's project updates

Trim is done, tail surfaces are in white poly tone curing for 4 days before I can spray the ranthane yellow. Tailwheel is on for good and the mains are ready as soon as I get my bolt order in. I love seeing parts go on for good. There is something really satisfying in installing cotter pins ;-)

[mulwyk]

Re: Eric's project updates

Yes, Eric, cotter pins feel good. I've often thought (with a little internal giggle), "I'm done with this part, I'm gonna pin it now"
Thanks for putting in words what we've all felt. Your project looks just great!

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Eric's project updates

I like the extra inspection cover over the front tail wheel bolt! You arms will be "slash free" when you check the tail wheel.
Hank

[Acroeric]

Re: Eric's project updates

Hank- that one was a must. . . . .It makes getting an open end wrench or socket on the head of the bolt pretty darn easy. Plus you can really inspect everything in the tail. I will shoot some more pictures as I progress. Should be getting alot done this weekend.

[Acroeric]

Re: Eric's project updates

Finally on the gear!! I built 6 inch extended gear from scratch and an so glad I did. It makes the nose sit pretty high. My sole purpose for doing this was to incorporate hydraulic brakes and to make it look better. Sitting in it the deck angle is sick. . it will be pretty blind but I love it! Im used to blind airplanes.

Got the checkerboard masking done on the rudder last night and plan to shoot it this afternoon.