Author Topic: "RINGMASTER 715" A Biplane is born. (Read 12724 times)

Bill Gruby · « **on:** February 29, 2008, 04:53:56 AM »

If you were following the "Ringmaster 526" thread on the open forum you have seen pictures of the new "Ringmaster 715". This is a high performance biplane designed to compete in the CLPA catagories. I have high expectations for this aircraft. It was designed at my request by Pat Johnston. To say the least he has outdone himself with this one.
I have been asked by wwwarbird to start this thread and it has been OK'd by "Sparky. I don't build on the level that some of you do. I also do not build fast, but I do not believe you will be disappointed. I welcome all comments. good or critical. If they are the latter I would appreciate it if they were civil. I have seen what happens to some threads when someone does not agree with something. I build my way, you build yours. It's that simple.
Here are some of the specs:

Wing Spans Top 47" Bottom 44"
Total area 715 sq. in.
Tail area 155.5 sq. in.
Tail/wing ratio .2175
Tail volume coefficient .629
Aspect ratios Top 5.66 Bottom 5.12
Engine ST .60
Projected weight 55 - 60 ozs.
Airfoil Berrenger

OK that should give you an idea of what this design should be able to do. I will answer any questions on the above numbers that you might have. At this point I am looking forward to doing this for your amusement. I guess there is not much more to say at this time, I will sort out my 100 + pictures of this build and post 5 or 6 a day until the project is flown for the first time.
Below is a picture of the original plans, they have been upgraded many times now. See you on Monday and I hope you enjoy the thread.

"Billy G"

Bill Little · « **Reply #1 on:** February 29, 2008, 07:40:45 AM »

I am looking forward to following this, G-Man. It's a great looking design.

Randy Ryan · « **Reply #2 on:** February 29, 2008, 07:55:29 PM »

Now that's COOOOOOL!! Hurry up HURRY UP!!!!

Randy Powell · « **Reply #3 on:** March 01, 2008, 12:23:44 AM »

Yea, Pat loses his brain every once in awhile. But I think it's cool. You go G-Man. I'll watch it take shape avidly.

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #4 on:** March 01, 2008, 04:53:29 AM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on March 01, 2008, 12:23:44 AM

Yea, Pat loses his brain every once in awhile. But I think it's cool. You go G-Man. I'll watch it take shape avidly.

Randy --- Is that a typo? How can you possibly say he lost his brain, I think he finally got it all together with this one. Look again below.

"Billy G" aka "G-Man"

Randy Powell · « **Reply #5 on:** March 01, 2008, 03:05:34 PM »

Bill,

I've known Pat for 20 years. Trust me, his brain cells are fried. Much like mine. Probably all those dope fumes. But we have fun anyway.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #6 on:** March 01, 2008, 03:32:21 PM »

This is soooooooooo COOOOOLLLL!!!! I did some bipes "way back when" and would like to do another - this just may be the one! THANKS YOU TWO!!!! (Maybe it takes a fried brain to build bipes for stunt, but those of us in that category have more fun 'cause we're bothered less by others opinions!!)
Enjoy the ride, forget the horse!
Will

wwwarbird · « **Reply #7 on:** March 01, 2008, 04:38:33 PM »

Very, very, very cool. I really like the lines of the fuse and fin/rudder, clearly Ringmaster, but with a nice blend of Sport Biplane. VERY nicely done guys. I'll be watching for sure.

Hey Pat, how about a Stearman or Grumman F3F?

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #8 on:** March 01, 2008, 04:57:59 PM »

This is a TEST PICTURE. Let me know if you can see the detail ie lightning holes etc. Yes this is the engine crutch and the ST .60 that will power the "715"

"Billy G"

Bill Little · « **Reply #9 on:** March 01, 2008, 05:39:28 PM »

Quote from: Will Hinton on March 01, 2008, 03:32:21 PM

This is soooooooooo COOOOOLLLL!!!! I did some bipes "way back when" and would like to do another - this just may be the one! THANKS YOU TWO!!!! (Maybe it takes a fried brain to build bipes for stunt, but those of us in that category have more fun 'cause we're bothered less by others opinions!!)
Enjoy the ride, forget the horse!
Will

Brother Will,

Brother G-Man has not mentioned it, but a 40 sized version of the same plane is available from Pat Johnston, too!

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #10 on:** March 01, 2008, 06:03:01 PM »

Bill,
What kind of glue is that in the red and white bottle?

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #11 on:** March 01, 2008, 11:50:40 PM »

Quote from: Crist Rigotti on March 01, 2008, 06:03:01 PM

Bill,
What kind of glue is that in the red and white bottle?

That is "Weldbond". I use it for a quick bond of wood to foam.

"Billy G"

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #12 on:** March 03, 2008, 01:31:17 AM »

Let's get started there is a longway to go.

Picture #1 Doublers being fit to motor mounts
#2 Sheet sides with doublers installed
#3 Fuselage side assemblies
#4 Basic Fuselage assembly

Thats a start, the landing gear was fabricatednext. It was molded from 8 layers of1/64 plywood. I will post it later today.

"Billy G"

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #13 on:** March 03, 2008, 05:42:06 AM »

The Landing gear;

We wnated togo with Carbon fiber, so I contactedRandy smith. He said he had a set that was pretty close so I ordered them. As luck would have it at this point the little woman had gone on a shopping spree the week before, and I found out about it the hard way from Randy. In the mean time we came across a link on laminating itfrom plywood, so we gave it a shot. I don't have a complete step by step picture set but here is the link, they do. To test the gear we put a 20 lb. weight and set the gear on its legs and put the weight on top and left it for 24 hrs. No distortion, no cracks, nothing. Here it is.

#! Home made mold
#2 Plywood clamped inside. The homemade nylon bolts faitled to hold the pressure and one broke, Hence the clamps.
#3 Gear out of the mold 24 hrs. later
#4 Different angle
#5 Gear Blank test fit
#6 Gear trimmed to final shape

If you wish to see the whole sequence here is the link. Click on How-To's wnhen you get there and scroll down to "How to make wooden landing gear".

"Billy G"

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #14 on:** March 03, 2008, 05:55:11 AM »

Moving on'

#1 A custom bell Crank was used, it was fabricated from nylon be me. It is 4" - self centering, has a ball bearing pivot with bronze bushings at the leadoutr positions.
#2 Upperdeck and longerons installed with ca\\"CabaneStruts being test fit.
#3 Side view inboard
#4Top view C/F Pushrod installed.
#5 Close up of top
#6 Sheeted upper front and nose block

This is as far as we can go with the top sheeting until the Stab/Elev. are made,they will be next. They are fabricated in a special "Jig"

"Billy G"

gary tultz · « **Reply #15 on:** March 03, 2008, 06:35:05 AM »

This is TWO kool.

Terry Bolin · « **Reply #16 on:** March 03, 2008, 07:49:31 AM »

That may be the best Ringmaster Ever!
Keep us posted!
Is the "715" just a larger version?
I saw a picture on Tulsa GD that showed a 715..... I think.
T

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #17 on:** March 03, 2008, 08:05:36 AM »

Quote from: Terry Bolin on March 03, 2008, 07:49:31 AM

That may be the best Ringmaster Ever!
Keep us posted!
Is the "715" just a larger version?
I saw a picture on Tulsa GD that showed a 715..... I think.
T

You could not have seen a "715", this is the proto-type. It is the only one there is. The "715" stands for the wing area. Also this is the largest and only full bodied "Ringmaster Biplane" that I know of. There are 1/2 Ringmaster Bipes and one profile Ringmaster Bipe. This one was drawn at my request. The plans are not even available yet. Bill Little mentioned a .40 size of this on and yes it's there but the plans are the same as these, just scaled down, the call outs on the little one are not even adjusted yet.

Stab/Elev.

#1 Jig -- both stab and elev are built at the same time for allignment purposes.
#2 Ribs, Stab TE and Elev. LE in the jig
#3 Laminating begun
#4 Stab Tip being molded, not for the faint at heart. LOL
#5 Stab complete Elev. half way there.
#6 Off the Jig test fit to the fuselage, no sheeting or cap strips yet. Looks flimsy but it is not.
#7 Completed Stab/Elev. Only the Stab has sheeting and cap strips, it weighs a mere 3.6 ozs here.

"Billy G"

Ron Merrill · « **Reply #18 on:** March 03, 2008, 10:34:39 AM »

VERY NICE Bill. I just ordered a set of plans from Pat.

Ron.

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #19 on:** March 03, 2008, 10:53:45 AM »

Hi Ron;
Thank you for the kind words. Be advised that some of the construction you see here will not be on the plans. We will take just the Stab/Elev. for reference. There is no laminating on the plans, the parts are cut from sheet and covered with 1/16" sheet. For nostalgia reasons I went with laminations. When covered with silk they will show thru. Just letting you know in advance.

"Billy G"

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #20 on:** March 03, 2008, 12:31:37 PM »

Nose Ring 101

I can't even imagine how many nose rings I have cut in my modeling days. The perfect nose ring has always eluded me. I have been a machinist for over 40 years now and this method has only just come to mine. Shame on me.

You will get a little chuckle out of this because this is overkill to the MAX.

#1 The Blank and sandwich pieces
#2 On the face plate cutting the bore (1/16" bigger that the thrust washer)
#3 On a mandrel to fit the bore and cutting the OD
#4 Perfectly concentric nose ring on the lathe bed
#5 Nylon adapter made to fit over the thrust washer w/ OD 1/16" larger
#6 Nose ring slipped in place and epoxied

Overkill?

You betcha but it was fun and it is a perfect 1/32" clearence around that ST .60 thrust washer.

"Billy G"

Terry Bolin · « **Reply #21 on:** March 03, 2008, 03:07:52 PM »

Where did you order the 40 size bipe plans from? Do you have a link?
Thanks, t

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #22 on:** March 03, 2008, 03:43:13 PM »

Quote from: Terry Bolin on March 03, 2008, 03:07:52 PM

Where did you order the 40 size bipe plans from? Do you have a link?
Thanks, t

The one you are looking at is not for the 40, it is for the ST 60. It is the "715" The 40 size is the "547". If they are finished they are available from Pat Johnston.

"Billy G"

Phil Bare · « **Reply #23 on:** March 03, 2008, 06:09:38 PM »

Excellent presentation of your out standing work Billy G...Butt kickin airplane for sure..Phil Bare

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #24 on:** March 04, 2008, 07:23:41 AM »

Ty;

That is one heck of a compliment, Thank you.

Wings are on the menu today.

#1 Laser cut Ribs from Pat Johnston.
#2 Built up LE's, 1/8" Spar - 3/32" Riblets and 1/16" sheeting. Resin coated inside.
#3 Wing Jig with Spar and LE installed
#4 Another angle
#5 Ribs in place
#6 Shows rubber bands at each LE station. With the LE off the jig, the ribs protrude .020 in friont of LE stations. The bands exert just enough pressure to hold tight alignment.

Somewhere along the line the TE pictures got deleted. They are 1/16" X 1 1/4" top and bottom with 1/16" webs between each rib. The center sheeting ia also 1/16". The top wing is identical with the addition of 2 ribs. More in the next post.

"Billy G"

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #25 on:** March 04, 2008, 07:36:32 AM »

#1 1/16" X 1/4" Strips at the Strut positionsto aide in covering
#2 Finished Tip
#3 The finished lower wing. It weighs just 3.6 ozs. The top wing weighs just 4.2 ozs.

That's it for now I have to get back to work on the"Bipe" the clock is ticking.

"Billy G"

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #26 on:** March 05, 2008, 04:58:01 AM »

Wings done, time for struts. Theyare all (4) fabricated fron 3/32" balsa sandwiched between 1/64" plywood.

#1 Struts and filler ribs
#2 Fit in lower wing but something is wrong
#3 The fix, more flair added to lower rear or strut
#4 Leadouts, front --- Delrin Buttons
#5 Leadouts rear --- Buttons held in with "Circlips.
#6 Leadout check

More to come.

"Billy G"

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #27 on:** March 05, 2008, 05:31:27 AM »

Movin on

#1 All Struts being ritri airframe
#2 rule #1 -- Never ever turn your back on a new puppy.
#3 Upper wing being checked for alignment before TE is attached, so far so good
#4 Final fit up.

That's all for today, the clock is still ticking.

"Billy G"

Terry Bolin · « **Reply #28 on:** March 05, 2008, 10:35:32 AM »

I understood about the two different sizes of planes. You are doing such a good job! That may be one of the best looking bipes on lines!
Keep the pictures coming! looking forward to the finished product now!
T

Randy Ryan · « **Reply #29 on:** March 05, 2008, 01:54:32 PM »

I'm lovin' this, no doubt I'll have to build one for myself.

Bill Little · « **Reply #30 on:** March 05, 2008, 03:33:00 PM »

What a LOT of people are missing is the magnitude of this build. It rivals, to a large degree, the Sweeper! It has two wings of 47" and 44", IIRC.

And it is ridiculously light. I have known about this from te beginning thoughts G-Man had. Through G-Man's prompting, and Pat's skills, this project was born. I am sure it will disappoint no one!

At the Brotherhood of the Ring, there are 24+ variations of the Ringmaster going on right now. All the way from a 207 sq. in. flapped profile for a Norvel (or similar) .061 to the Ringmaster 1000 and the SDR.

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #31 on:** March 06, 2008, 04:47:53 AM »

Thank you Bill. Nice to hear from you. Yes this project has been a challenge, but I love to Build like this. You get a nice feelin when it all comes together in the end.

Time to get to thehard work -- blocking the fuselage and bringing it to its final shape. What you see below tookme 8 1/2 hours to complete. I didit all at once. No little bit now little bit later,a straight 8 1/2 hours.

#! Bottom nose blocks
#2 Side view
#3 Full view blocked bottom
#4 Leadout side taking shape
#5 Mirror image
#6 Rough Nose section
#7 Profile, almost there.

Lots of chips and dust.

"Billy G"

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #32 on:** March 06, 2008, 07:55:03 AM »

The "Nose" almost done.

"Billy G"

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #33 on:** March 07, 2008, 04:39:17 AM »

Wow, everyone must be in the final stages of their builds, I have to scroll down farther everyday to get to this one.

.

Fuselage is about 95% complete now. everything is as it should be.

Picture #1 Side view, 95% complete.
#2 Rear end showing pushrod. work needs to be done here.
#3 From the business end, done here.
#4 Stab and Rudder final fit, rudder will be shaped today. Hope to have the tail end completed and attached today.
#5 Getting there is 3/4 of the fun.

I hope to complete the entire fuselage today. That will give me Saturday to do all final assembly and start covering. My projected first flight date is April 6th. Gotta be, because this on is scheduled for the "2nd Annual Ringmaster Round-Up" in Houston. Then on to "Brodaks".

"Billy G"

Bill Little · « **Reply #34 on:** March 07, 2008, 07:45:36 AM »

It's coming along nicely, and the workmanship is excellent.

I hope you have a kinda *Barnstorming Biplane* paint scheme reminiscent of the '30s in the plans for it.

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #35 on:** March 08, 2008, 06:22:50 AM »

No building yesterday per say. I worked out the wind screen and a few other details, will post pictures later. I do have the component weights though, these are ready to cover weights.

Fuselage -- engine,tank, controls, etc. 25.2 ozs.
Top Wing 3.7 ozs.
Bottom Wing 3.4 ozs.
Stab/Elev. 3.2 ozs
Landing Gear -- Complete. 5.2 ozs.
Struts -- Gomplete, Lead out guides etc. 1.2 ozs

Total ready to cover 41.9 ozs Target weight is 50 to 60 ozs.

"Billy G"

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #36 on:** March 09, 2008, 06:23:07 AM »

These will bring us up to date.

#1 Fuselage nearing completion.
#2 Last check of Stab./Elev. and rudder fit.
#3 Rear view to checkalignment.
#4 Wind Screen being added. The final shape is on the fuselage, it only took 11 tries.

The next time you see the "Bipe" it will be bare bones final fit up just before covering. Hopefully that will be today. Gotta get to work if I'm gonna pull this one off.

"Billy G"

Bill Little · « **Reply #37 on:** March 09, 2008, 07:39:44 AM »

A lotta wood!

Still looking great.

I think you need to jazz up the nose a *little* bit.........

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #38 on:** March 09, 2008, 09:21:35 AM »

Quote from: Bill Little on March 09, 2008, 07:39:44 AM

A lotta wood! Still looking great.

I think you need to jazz up the nose a *little* bit.........

Already bein done ala "Supermarine S6 B"

"Billy G"

Bill Little · « **Reply #39 on:** March 09, 2008, 09:29:54 AM »

Quote from: Bill Gruby on March 09, 2008, 09:21:35 AM

Already bein done ala "Supermarine S6 B"

"Billy G"

I know!

You need to post pictures of that. I really think it looks sharp on that plane.

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #40 on:** March 09, 2008, 12:20:25 PM »

OK you win, but it needs to be cleaned up, it's rough.

Even you haven't seen it like this, you saw it square.

"Billy G"

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #41 on:** March 09, 2008, 03:34:49 PM »

Blisters on "Steroids" Better

"Billy G"

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #42 on:** March 09, 2008, 11:48:43 PM »

Cleaned up and shrunk to ptoportion. Dropped 50% in bulk and extended 3/4". This is where they stay.

"Billy G"

Bill Little · « **Reply #43 on:** March 10, 2008, 07:00:26 AM »

Those look the best and most realistic. Now, get some covering on that puppy!

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #44 on:** March 10, 2008, 10:00:54 AM »

Here they are, final fit-up shots. I cover this afternoon or tomorrow morning, depends on the "Honey-Do" list. I didn't check it yet.

"Billy G"

Bill Little · « **Reply #45 on:** March 10, 2008, 10:39:36 AM »

UH-OH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Look closely at the picture next to last........ there is a smile on the face of the G-Man!

There's reason to smile...... it looks very, very good. And a Big Jim Hemi ST 60 to boot!

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #46 on:** March 12, 2008, 09:33:51 AM »

Pitts style tail wheel in the mold. It will be complete with springs. Gotta do something while everything is drying.

Silkspan today.

"Billy G"

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #47 on:** March 12, 2008, 06:20:49 PM »

Tail Wheel assy. just out of the mold. Springs shown. Looks OK so far, tomorrow will tell.

"Billy G"

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #48 on:** March 13, 2008, 07:56:27 AM »

Finished -- minus wheel and wire it weighs in at 6 grams.

"Billy G"

Leo Mehl · « **Reply #49 on:** March 13, 2008, 10:54:59 AM »

Quote from: Bill Gruby on March 10, 2008, 10:00:54 AM

Here they are, final fit-up shots. I cover this afternoon or tomorrow morning, depends on the "Honey-Do" list. I didn't check it yet.

"Billy G"

I just love it when people do something different. The designing and the building of this plane is supurb, I complement you and Pat on a project very well done and something to be really proud of. I may add, it looks like you may have gotten a few more gray hairs over this. Nice goin Billy! Proud to call you a friend.