Author Topic: Starting a new one (Read 4763 times)

Matt Colan · « **on:** June 23, 2013, 08:31:21 PM »

Now that the Thundergazer has been completed and flies beyond my wildest dreams, I figured it was time to start a new classic airplane now that the Ares is 5 years old now. The new airplane is Bob Lampione's United. I'm planning to power it with a PA 40UL.

Here's one day's progress of about two hours. I would've gotten more done but it was too nice a day to pass up so we went flying. I should have most of the wing completed by the end of the week if I have time to work on it.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #1 on:** June 23, 2013, 09:43:17 PM »

Quote from: Ty Marcucci on June 23, 2013, 09:31:50 PM

Looking all squared away Matt. That's about were I am on my Volunteer. The ribs and TE/LE look exactly the same. Hmmmm? My problem is going to be where to hang it, I'm out of room. I guess I need to have a hangar sale to get rid of some of my older stuff I no longer fly.
Keep them photo s ocming. Fly during the day, build at night, stay away from gurls.

I looked in my basement for quite awhile a couple days ago and came to the conclusion I have room for three more airplanes (and two will go to the Trivial Pursuit and the United) without having to do some major rearranging of all the boxes and junk down there.

Now that I have a full time job for the summer (which sucks BTW!), building, flying, time for girls, and other friends is down to about 3 hours a day during the week, and all weekend.

Balsa Butcher · « **Reply #2 on:** June 24, 2013, 01:11:43 PM »

Cool project Matt. That is an airplane/engine combination that I have been considering for some time. I am interested in how you are going to modify the front end for the RE. I was going to take a page out of Randy's playbook and do it SV-11 style. Also, I must disagree with my esteemed colleague Ty's closing remarks: Some jobs don't suck - but then I was a pilot so maybe the exception to the rule.

Good luck at Embry Riddle.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #3 on:** June 24, 2013, 01:52:14 PM »

Quote from: Balsa Butcher on June 24, 2013, 01:11:43 PM

Cool project Matt. That is an airplane/engine combination that I have been considering for some time. I am interested in how you are going to modify the front end for the RE. I was going to take a page out of Randy's playbook and do it SV-11 style. Also, I must disagree with my esteemed colleague Ty's closing remarks: Some jobs don't suck - but then I was a pilot so maybe the exception to the rule. Good luck at Embry Riddle.

I have a pretty good idea on how I'm going to do it, but we'll see how it goes once I get to that point.

Speaking of pilots, I have a pilots license and haven't put it to good use yet...it's time to get back up in the air again!

Matt Colan · « **Reply #4 on:** June 26, 2013, 10:44:06 AM »

Here's a couple pics from two nights ago. I didn't do anything last night, I was too tired.

I found i didn't like the ribs that were already laser cut in the flaps (no strength) so I made new ones and glued and sanded them in.

I got more energy today so I should be able to get more work done. And it also looks like I'll be building for quite awhile, there's been nothing but thunderstorms since Monday and the backyard is soaked once again.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #5 on:** June 27, 2013, 03:12:27 PM »

Haven't done much in the past few days. Got the planking glued on and made up the bellcrank, that's about it.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #6 on:** June 28, 2013, 09:23:43 AM »

Hey Matt, now that you have a pilots license, aren't you supposed to be flying every so many days? By the way the build is looking good.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #7 on:** June 28, 2013, 10:10:17 AM »

Quote from: john e. holliday on June 28, 2013, 09:23:43 AM

Hey Matt, now that you have a pilots license, aren't you supposed to be flying every so many days? By the way the build is looking good.

Hi DOC,

I'm probably going to head to the airport next weekend and find something to fly. I also want to get my tailwheel endorsement before I go back to school so I can beat the Riddle system a little bit and get some PIC time in the Decathlon they have while doing some aerobatics (and get some time in the Pitts I have access to so I can compete with it at a contest in October).

john e. holliday · « **Reply #8 on:** June 29, 2013, 09:38:51 AM »

Well stay with it young man and don't lose sight of your goals.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #9 on:** June 29, 2013, 10:25:55 AM »

Got the other half of the wing done last night. Today will be bellcrank mounting, pushrod making, control horn bending, and possibly start on the cap strips and other little odds and ends.

Bill Little · « **Reply #10 on:** June 29, 2013, 10:44:01 AM »

Hi Matt,

You should have a great set up with the engine and the United.

Bob gave me the Lost Foam set up he used on his Sabre which has a lot in common with the original United. Bob told me he built them both at the same time, just got into his Sabre first and went with it. He won every contest he entered in 1969 with the Sabre, including the Walker Trophy. It was probably just as possible that he could have done it with the United.

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

Matt Colan · « **Reply #11 on:** July 03, 2013, 11:02:09 PM »

Nothing a whole lot new on the plane. Cap stripped it tonight and put the rudder together.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #12 on:** July 03, 2013, 11:05:54 PM »

Quote from: Bill Little on June 29, 2013, 10:44:01 AM

Hi Matt,

You should have a great set up with the engine and the United.

Bob gave me the Lost Foam set up he used on his Sabre which has a lot in common with the original United. Bob told me he built them both at the same time, just got into his Sabre first and went with it. He won every contest he entered in 1969 with the Sabre, including the Walker Trophy. It was probably just as possible that he could have done it with the United.

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

Hi Bill,

If I remember correctly, I think the Sabre and the United are essentially the same airplane and the only difference being the fuselage styling.

I remember Bob telling me that he said from the beginning of that year that he was going to win the NATS that year. Turns out he was spot on with what he was feeling!

john e. holliday · « **Reply #13 on:** July 04, 2013, 09:18:35 AM »

Are you going to have this done before returning to school?

Matt Colan · « **Reply #14 on:** July 04, 2013, 10:36:02 AM »

Quote from: john e. holliday on July 04, 2013, 09:18:35 AM

Are you going to have this done before returning to school?

I'd like to have it ready for paint or some form of finishing by the time I go back to school, which gives me about 7 weeks

Matt Colan · « **Reply #15 on:** July 07, 2013, 09:50:59 PM »

Since I will be going on vacation this week, no work will be done on the United. I have thought up a couple ideas regarding the finish so I will be putting them on paper and see what I like.

Dennis Adamisin · « **Reply #16 on:** July 13, 2013, 09:32:15 AM »

Quote from: Matt Colan on July 03, 2013, 11:05:54 PM

Hi Bill,

If I remember correctly, I think the Sabre and the United are essentially the same airplane and the only difference being the fuselage styling.

I remember Bob telling me that he said from the beginning of that year that he was going to win the NATS that year. Turns out he was spot on with what he was feeling!

Great ptoject Matt, this one will also serve you well!

The original United and the Saber were at least 75 square inches smaller than the Brodak United. I cannot fathom how the kit is Classic legal.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #17 on:** July 13, 2013, 10:09:55 AM »

Quote from: Dennis Adamisin on July 13, 2013, 09:32:15 AM

Great ptoject Matt, this one will also serve you well!

The original United and the Saber were at least 75 square inches smaller than the Brodak United. I cannot fathom how the kit is Classic legal.

Thanks Dennis!

The wing area on my United is 630. If that were the case with it being 75 square inches smaller, I would want to know how Bob flew a 705 square inch United on just a 35.

Balsa Butcher · « **Reply #18 on:** July 13, 2013, 10:14:51 AM »

I have always wondered about that. Walter listed the Sabre at 610"sq yet I have heard that the Sabre and United shared the same wing. I have the United kit and to my calibrated eyeball it does not look like 630" sq. although it is listed as such. Guess I could measure the plans and do some calculations. Oh well, someting else to add to the to-do list.

EddyR · « **Reply #19 on:** July 13, 2013, 10:54:41 AM »

A few years ago Bob had his reproductions of his 1960's planes with him here at Huntersville and he admitted they were larger than the originals. Also the numbers had been adjusted to make them fly better.
Ed

Dennis Adamisin · « **Reply #20 on:** July 13, 2013, 11:06:14 AM »

Quote from: Matt Colan on July 13, 2013, 10:09:55 AM

Thanks Dennis!

The wing area on my United is 630. If that were the case with it being 75 square inches smaller, I would want to know how Bob flew a 705 square inch United on just a 35.

No, the orignals were 75sq SMALLER than the kit - that means 550 or so - Think (Bill) Simonized Nobler, which was the source code for a lot of the east coast designs of the mid 60s into the early 70's. They flew typically faster than the norm to deal with the notorious turbulent flying sites with a fox 35.... Couldn't do that with a a 630sq in airplane.

"Champione" won his Walker Cup the same year I won Junior. Met him then and he has been bringing good cheer every time I have seen him since.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #21 on:** July 13, 2013, 11:29:11 AM »

Quote from: Dennis Adamisin on July 13, 2013, 11:06:14 AM

No, the orignals were 75sq SMALLER than the kit - that means 550 or so - Think (Bill) Simonized Nobler, which was the source code for a lot of the east coast designs of the mid 60s into the early 70's. They flew typically faster than the norm to deal with the notorious turbulent flying sites with a fox 35.... Couldn't do that with a a 630sq in airplane.

"Champione" won his Walker Cup the same year I won Junior. Met him then and he has been bringing good cheer every time I have seen him since.

Oh I see. Sorry for the confusion Dennis.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #22 on:** July 16, 2013, 03:13:42 PM »

Well I'm back from a vacation I took last week to Long Island, and it's time to get back to work on the United. However it's finally stopped raining, but it's really hot! So hot, all I've been wanting to do is sit in my nice air conditioned room after work. $:-\$

john e. holliday · « **Reply #23 on:** July 17, 2013, 08:17:49 AM »

What is wrong with you? You are supposed to be in Muncie IN enjoying the beautiful weather and flying with the rest of the guys/gals?

Matt Colan · « **Reply #24 on:** July 17, 2013, 10:05:40 AM »

Quote from: john e. holliday on July 17, 2013, 08:17:49 AM

What is wrong with you? You are supposed to be in Muncie IN enjoying the beautiful weather and flying with the rest of the guys/gals?

Hopefully next year! I actually have a feeling next year might be the last year I will be able to go to Muncie and Brodak for a decent amount of time...

Matt Colan · « **Reply #25 on:** July 20, 2013, 07:55:33 PM »

Here's the wing with half the trailing edge carved and some sanding done. Nothing much to see...it weighs 7.6 ounces right now, a little heavier than I would've liked, but more carving and sanding is needed.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #26 on:** July 21, 2013, 08:03:02 AM »

Do not see a wing.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #27 on:** July 21, 2013, 01:25:08 PM »

Quote from: john e. holliday on July 21, 2013, 08:03:02 AM

Do not see a wing.

Thanks for the catch DOC. I edited the post and its there now

Matt Colan · « **Reply #28 on:** July 26, 2013, 09:10:43 AM »

Haven't been doing much work on my United lately. Half of the trailing edge is shaped, and that's about it. Since the weather has been fantastic lately, we've been flying. I did have to address an issue that came up on the Thundergazer that took a couple hours to fix, but it was not as serious as I thought it was. The blind nut in the leadout guide was stripped and the leadouts were moving freely in the wing. We retapped it for a 4-40 and got it fixed.

I hope I'll be able to get some work done in another day or two. The motor should arrive soon so I can make the crutch and get moving on the fuselage.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #29 on:** July 26, 2013, 02:18:21 PM »

Almost time to hit the books again, right?

Matt Colan · « **Reply #30 on:** July 26, 2013, 02:22:51 PM »

Quote from: john e. holliday on July 26, 2013, 02:18:21 PM

Almost time to hit the books again, right?

Books as in the blue sky and getting used to Florida air again, yes

little less than a month away before I head back south.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #31 on:** July 26, 2013, 11:51:41 PM »

Glued some shear webbing not the wing tonight. Nothing fancy, 1/16" balsa grain running vertically.

We did take note that the wing was starting to bend a little since we took it out of the jig. We rejigged it, it's straight and now it should be much more twist resistant.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #32 on:** August 02, 2013, 07:17:09 PM »

Well I'm down to 20 days before I head back to college. Sadly the plane will be set aside until November, maybe October if I head home during the four day break.

I'll try to at least get the basic fuselage framed up before I leave. I still am hoping to have it ready for classic next year at Brodaks.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #33 on:** August 13, 2013, 02:20:04 PM »

He, he. Hey, go as fast as you feel comfortable. Don't sweat it. Better to be slow and right than fast and wrong.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #34 on:** August 13, 2013, 08:46:53 PM »

Very true Randy! All the control surfaces are sheeted, just need to be sanded. I weighed everything and so far, everything looks good.

Rudder: .5oz
Stab and elevators: 1.6oz
Flaps: 1.3oz
Fuselage: 2.9oz
Wing: 7.3oz

None of this is finished weight, but its what I'm looking at right now with everything as it sits.