Hipec covering system

[taylorcraftbc65]

Hey folks, I have an ultralight legal replica of the Heath Baby Bullet that is ready for cover. I am familiar with the stitts system, and have used it on several different aircraft, both ultralights, and certificated.
I have heard a lot of good things about the Hipec system ever since the late eighties, but have always used what I learned on instead.
I think that I would like to try the Hipec system on the bullet replica, and wonder if anyone here has any experience with it, or knows how well it stands up ten years down the road.
By the way, my Taylorcraft has the new water based system on it, and I swear, that stuff is bulletproof. I clean the bugs off the leading edges of the wings with MEK, and I don't even get any of the paint color on the rag.
Brie

[Howard Wilson]

Re: Covering... stabilizing the iron temp?

Hi Brie,
Wow A Heath Baby Bullet! Let us see some pics. That is a cool looking little plane. It was probably almost ultralight legal back when Ed originally built it. What engine are you going to run in it? h

[taylorcraftbc65]

Re: Covering... stabilizing the iron temp?

I'll get some photos of it in a day or so, and then load them up. The engine that I want to put on it will be an Army surplus Teledyne Continental A042. It is a 42 C.I. flat two cylinder, four stroke, that weighs 79 pounds complete, minus prop, and develops fron 26 to 32 HP, depending on how you set it up.
Hank Jarrett knows about them, and has even seen a video of a Minimax Ultralight flying behind one.
Hey Hank, can you load up the link to that site?
Brie

[Robert Lees]

Re: Covering... stabilizing the iron temp?

Is it this or similar? (Note to self: we might need a new thread if the thread drifts too far)

[Robert Lees]

Re: Covering... stabilizing the iron temp?

Or this? I post the two photos because I really don't know which is the Heath.

[Robert Lees]

Re: Covering... stabilizing the iron temp?

I'm going to answer my own question: It's the latter. It's so like the Heath parasol.

[taylorcraftbc65]

Re: Covering... stabilizing the iron temp?

That is another faithful replica of the original Robert. It looks like it is powered by one of the half VW based engines, (Global?)
The reason that I brought this up here was not to change the thrust of the thread to ultralights, but to see if anyone here knows anything about the Hipec system of covering.
Brie

Is it this or similar? (Note to self: we might need a new thread if the thread drifts too far)

[Robert Lees]

Re: Covering... stabilizing the iron temp?

Brie: I thought it worth breaking off the thread tangent to a new topic because it doesn't help Mike with his original query.

Continuing your ultralight fabric question, I don't know of your Hitec system, but a few friends & colleagues of mine (and Taylorcraft pilots!) here in the UK are instrumental in the flight of historic very light aircraft, they might have some information on light-weight fabric systems for historic aircraft, if you will bear with me:

Photo 1: The Hawker Cygnet. Designed for the Lympne trials in the 20's. Sydney Camm designed it; he later designed the Hawker Hurricane, amongst other achievements.

This photo is of Rob M (who did the restoration & covering) flying at Old Warden, the home of the Shuttleworth collection who own it. The covering is so thin, you can see through it. Anyone over 5 feet nothing need not apply as pilot; you're too heavy.





Photo 2: Chilton Monoplane
Powered by a Ford Carden, 32hp, it does 120mph straight & level. You can pick the aeroplane up under you arm to take it home.

Photo shows Claire [also a Taylorcraft pilot] demonstating it at Old Warden.





As an aside, just to show how small a world aviation is, the only three non ex-military pilots at Old Warden are member of the flying Club at Leicester where I am.
Rob M (photo 1 above) shares a Steen Skybolt with the photographer of the red Baby Bullet in my previous post taken at Brodhead when he & I were there.
Claire (photo 2 above) cut her tailwheel teeth in my Taylorcraft, and bought it from me later.
An occasional US member of this forum is closely involved in the Chilton's continues airworthiness.
etc...etc...small world.

Anyway, if you would like advice on very lightweight and approved covering systems for vintage aircraft I can put you in touch with folks this side of the pond who are very familiar with them.

[taylorcraftbc65]

Re: Covering... stabilizing the iron temp?

I would love ANY advice on very lightweight covering systems from anyone gracious enough to share it with me, regardless of WHICH side of the pond they are on.
The only difference between the planform of the original and my replica is the fact that I replaced the original airfoil with the 23012 for it's far better performance at lower speeds.
Brie

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Covering... stabilizing the iron temp?

I will have to really look around for the link. I erased it after I loaded it up to the GEO group. By the way, teh BAby Bullet is the one with the two cylinder engine, shoulder wing, swirled aluminum cowl and the words "Baby Bullet" on the tail. ;-)
Hank

[Ron Coleman]

Re: Covering... stabilizing the iron temp?

Hi Hank!
If you have any information on setting up the 042 I'd like to talk to you. I want to put one on my mini-max.

RonC

[taylorcraftbc65]

Re: Covering... stabilizing the iron temp?

Morning Ron,
There are two Yahoo discussion Groups that you need to join, one concernitself with the 2A042, and the other one, the 4A084. I own the 084 group, and have a step by step photo guide of me striping and 084 for flight duty. The 042 is one half an 084, and except for the case, crank, cam, and magneto, both engines use the exact same parts.
The address for the 084 site that I own is:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/A084Experimenters

The address for the 042 site is:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/2A042

Those groups will give you a wealth of information.
Brie

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Covering... stabilizing the iron temp?

My A&P has an 042 but I think Brie listed the best info spots for info. I have never used one (but I did drawings of the Baby Bullet and it would be perfect for one!)
Hank

I never went anywhere with the Baby Bullet concept because I didn't know anyone over 6 years old who could fit in one! Brie, who are you going to get to fly it? Radio Control?

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Covering... stabilizing the iron temp?

Found the 042 link. Plug

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj0hdymXfOg

into the search box in Google. Doesn't seem to work to just try and link it.
Hank

[taylorcraftbc65]

Re: Covering... stabilizing the iron temp?

Afternoon Hank,
Oh I'M going to fly it, all six foot of me. While I kept the basic planform stock except for the 23012 airfoil, I played with the cockpit dimentions to where, I am actually quite comfortable once I am in the thing. I set things like the width of the cockpit opening, the seat rake, and the length from the back of my spine to the rudder pedals the same as my old Cassutt 3, and my old RV 3. It takes a few gyrations to get in, but once in, I am as comfortable as if I am in a high performance glider.
Brie

My A&P has an 042 but I think Brie listed the best info spots for info. I have never used one (but I did drawings of the Baby Bullet and it would be perfect for one!)
Hank

I never went anywhere with the Baby Bullet concept because I didn't know anyone over 6 years old who could fit in one! Brie, who are you going to get to fly it? Radio Control?