Zilch X-pendable

[Gerald Arana]

I have a question for the Airplane gifted 

First: I have the 1953 "Air Trails" article on the X-pendable and it shows a fuse mounted LG with the wheels a couple inches in front of the LE.

Second: I have the "Berkley" plans and they show the LG in the wing approx. at the LE. (Better position AFAIC)

Third: I built one in the late 50's with the LG in the wing and a Fox Rocket 35 for power. (Yeah, I know) 

As a "Classic" ship, would it make any difference which way it is built since both are published?

Also the AT article says that the engine can be inverted...(Which I like!)

Thanks for your responses, Jerry

[Randy Cuberly]

I have a question for the Airplane gifted 

First: I have the 1953 "Air Trails" article on the X-pendable and it shows a fuse mounted LG with the wheels a couple inches in front of the LE.

Second: I have the "Berkley" plans and they show the LG in the wing approx. at the LE. (Better position AFAIC)

Third: I built one in the late 50's with the LG in the wing and a Fox Rocket 35 for power. (Yeah, I know) 

As a "Classic" ship, would it make any difference which way it is built since both are published?

Also the AT article says that the engine can be inverted...(Which I like!)

Thanks for your responses, Jerry

If all that can be documented I see no reason why it wouldn't be Classic legal.
For what it's worth I built one in 1955 and it had Fuse mounted gear!  Wasn't built from a kit but from plans someone gave me.  Probably Byron Merriweather, from KC Kansas.

[Steve Helmick]

How early in '53 was it published? Who designed it? There might be a case for submitting it to PAMPA to be declared an OTS legal design, because of the typical delay between designing/building/flying/writing/drawing and publishing. It has been done with the Firecat and Berkley P-40 Stunter, for example. The X-Pendable would be a pretty good fit in OTS, anyway. It'd take some research, of course.    Steve

[Randy Cuberly]

How early in '53 was it published? Who designed it? There might be a case for submitting it to PAMPA to be declared an OTS legal design, because of the typical delay between designing/building/flying/writing/drawing and publishing. It has been done with the Firecat and Berkley P-40 Stunter, for example. The X-Pendable would be a pretty good fit in OTS, anyway. It'd take some research, of course.    Steve

Steve,
I seem to remember that the research was done on this back around the time that VSC first started.  I don't remember the details but do remember that it was declared not legal for OT, but legal for classic.  it was designed by Jim Saftig, same guy that did most of the Zilch designs.  It was originally designed to be a Combat airplane, hence the moniker "Expendable".  At least that's the story I was told by those that should know!  However I'm not trying to discourage investigating the situation because i have no way of knowing how thourough the investigation was or who it was done by, just that it was investigated and refused!

Randy Cuberly

[Gerald Arana]

Thanks for the info guys!

Actually I knew most if this. I was asking about the landing gear position. I know that in OTS things like that are a sticking point. (as well as wing sheeting)
Since there are two versions of it, (LG that is) I would think that either could be used........as well as inverted vs upright engine.

Thanks, Jerry

[steve bittner]

I have an original Berkley Zilch X-pendable kit in the attic I have had for yours. Never got around to building it. I might be able to answer some questions

[Gerald Arana]

I have an original Berkley Zilch X-pendable kit in the attic I have had for yours. Never got around to building it. I might be able to answer some questions

Steve, Can (will) you send me a set of the plans? I'll be glad to reimburse you.

Thank you, Jerry

[steve bittner]

Gerald, Email me your address and info at bittnersw@aol.com