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Classic Designs => Classic Planes => Topic started by: Mike Scholtes on November 23, 2007, 06:02:34 PM
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Does anyone out there know if there are aerodynamic or design differences from the 1957 version of the T-Bird we know as T-Bird I and the 1959 and later version we know as T-Bird II? What I am really getting at is whether the RSM T-Bird (1959 bubble canopy version) can be built as a T-Bird I with Smoothie type canopy and still be true to the 1957 design. I am aware that Palmer and others built and flew the Smoothie and T-Bird with all manner of engine mounting arrangements, including his round-cowl 1957 version flown on the world tour that year. I am more concerned with airfoil and moment lengths to prop and elevator.
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There are three distinct versions of thr "T-Bird" . Two kitted by Veco. The forst was an upright mounted engine with a P-40 type of canopy. It was 595 sq in wing. My plans for this kit show two different noses -- one fully cowled and the other with the "skinny" nose (engine still upright but the cylinder sticking out in the breeze un cowled) The second was kitted by Veco as the "New Thunderbird" and had inverted engine, P-51 type canopy, differential flaps and "over/under leadout guide positioning. This version had 608 or 610 Sq In wing area. The "T-Bird II kitted by either RSM or perhaps Control line Classics was a different breed all in it's own. Somewhere around 590 Sq in wing area, inverted engine, P-51 type canopy, standard leadout guide orientation, standard flap controls (Not Differential). I have been told that the third one listed here was the last version that Bob Palmer designed and flew of the T-Birds. I think that All three are shown as Classic legal.
Bigiron
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There is another T-Bird version. Ty mentioned the "Lil Thunderbird" and Veco did kit it for the Veco 19 engine. There were not many sold but it is classic legal. Larry Richards put out repro versions of the Veco kits except with good wood. My kit is in storage, but as I recall, the wing area was just over 400 sq. in.
Steve
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Both Marvin and Steve are on the money.
It is interesting that people were modifying the "T-Bird" I to bubble canopies, before the "T-Bird II"was kitted.
Here are two from the East coast.
The first is a beautiful orange, white and black "T-bird I" by John Bonono, at Union NJ, 1960. Also note that is John D'Ottavio's last standard "JD Falcon" is behind the T-Bird, with Larry Scarinzi's "Blitz" under the "JD Falcon " wing.
The second is Henry Weeks with his blue "T-Bird I" at the Mirror meet, 1961. This was the last Mirror Meet.
Also note that both of these early "T-Birds" used the military style bubbles, ala P-47, P-51, that are much more appealing than the round front canopies, in this case. Both airplanes have wheel pants added.
So many current airplanes use the round front canopies, but without proper trimming, they just look like they were stuck on the top block, with no attention to pleasing lines and eye appeal.
These two "T-Birds" are a good example of mods made to airplanes in order to garner "originality" and "detail" points".
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Tom, those are really great "Back in the Day pictures" Any time I see T Birds, especially orange ones I get all teary eyed. Gary T.
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Back in the day, all of the NE contests drew about 70-80% orange stunters. Most of mine are still that magic color. Nothing looks as good up against a clear blue sky. Check the engine, looks (in silhouette) like a Johnson. Tom H.
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Tom, don't go there, (Johnson LL~ ) just kidding. A Johnson engine is icing on the cake. I learned the pattern,(still learning) on an orange and white T Bird 1 with a Johnson .33 st./rc. Best stunt engine Hi made.The 35/32/29 want to run fast like the K&B Greenheads. Starting to cry. :'( Rainman aka Gary T.