Author Topic: DeBolt Continental (Read 3919 times)

Bob Zambelli · « **on:** February 18, 2008, 01:00:20 PM »

I’m not sure if this has been discussed here before (I could not find anything) but who remembers the DeBolt Continental?
It was, in my opinion, the most attractive plane that DMECO ever produced.
Anyhow, Gary Tultz is loaning me a set of plans from which I will create an AutoCAD drawing.
I will then build a plane and if all goes well, bring it to the Fly-In. If it is legally available and there is enough interest, maybe a Brodak kit?
Being a small aircraft, around 40 inches, it should be perfect for the Brodak .25.
For that matter, has anyone else kitted this bird?

Anyone have any pictures?

Bob Z.

wmiii · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2008, 01:29:04 PM »

There is a guy in New york state, Fran, forgot the last name that owns the rights to all DeBolt
plans. At least thats what I was told. Sorry about that, had to answer the door, a couple of nice ladies told me I was going to go to h@ll if I didn't join their church. Any way it's a nice sport airplane. I built mine with a old style Fox .25, need to keep it light.

Walter

Vince Mankowski · « **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2008, 01:34:34 PM »

Lazer Works cuts the parts for the DeBolt Continental..... got mine last week & everything looks great!

The smallish tank area was always a problem but I picked up a tank on the bay & am ready to build another!

Vince

Bob Zambelli · « **Reply #3 on:** February 18, 2008, 01:52:41 PM »

Great replies, guys - thanks.

If there's already a kit out there, no need for another.

Bill - I was in the lab when you called - try the other number.

Bob Z.

EddyR · « **Reply #4 on:** February 18, 2008, 03:24:54 PM »

Bob be sure to make the controls very slow. It is like a Flight Streak it turns with almost no control. I used a Fox .25 in mine around 1974 and had to use a special handle with very close line spacing. They are fast and quick. I cut out the leading edge for more tank space. A sump on a short tank would work also.

Ed

Bill Sawyer · « **Reply #5 on:** February 18, 2008, 03:33:09 PM »

Some time back I talked to Fran and he gave me permission to kit it. I did a lot of research into it and found that DeBolt had a special round tank that had some type of swivel inside for picking up the fuel. The fuselage inside spacing is 1 5/8 inches so to even fit in a 1 3/4 tank you would need to change the 1/8 balsa doublers to a thinner plywood . The problem there is the length. You would have to cut away the leading edge to get any made tank to fit. I was concerned about the wing stability if you did this so decided to cut off the center rib at the spars and add a 1/16 plywood brace ( plate )between the center three ribs.

Garf · « **Reply #6 on:** February 18, 2008, 05:36:11 PM »

I saw this one at the Lake Wales fly in. I want a kit if they are still available. It resembles my favorite small plane, the Shoestring Stunter.

Bill Mohrbacher · « **Reply #7 on:** February 19, 2008, 12:46:19 PM »

I have a Continental hanging up in the garage right now. The special tank mentioned was a Debolt positive flow tank. A weighted fuel pickup tube could rotate 360 degrees around the center mounted fuel outlet. They were made in 2 oz and 4 oz sizes. Last summer, Brodak actually still had both sizes in his hobby shop!!

john e. holliday · « **Reply #8 on:** February 19, 2008, 03:49:46 PM »

I haave one on the hook. It's been there ever since I got the plans from John Pond when he was still with us. It's when I started to drill the motor mounts I found out I really had a brain phase. It's been on the hook ever since. Anybody in KC area that wants it can have it.

Elwyn Aud · « **Reply #9 on:** February 19, 2008, 05:21:11 PM »

Here's the only one I could find in my disorganized mess. I did come up with a nice photo using Google though.

Bob Zambelli · « **Reply #10 on:** February 20, 2008, 11:36:34 AM »

Again thanks to all for the great info.
It also brought back some memories of the famous/infamous DeBolt "clank" tank.
Really a great idea in that no matter what the attitude, it always fed fuel.
But - the fly in the ointment. On most of them, the fit between the center tube and the rotating pickup had to be a bit loose to allow rotation. When the tank was around half empty, it would start sucking air with not-so- cool results.

More to come!!!

Bob Z.

Dean Pappas · « **Reply #11 on:** February 20, 2008, 01:44:36 PM »

Hi Gang,
That sure is a good looking ship.
I think you're talking about Fran Ptasciewicz in Tonawonda, near Buffalo.

later,
Dean Pappas

wmiii · « **Reply #12 on:** February 20, 2008, 04:26:09 PM »

Hi Gang,
That sure is a good looking ship.
I think you're talking about Fran Ptasciewicz in Tonawonda, near Buffalo.

That would be him, nice fella, the clank tank, all brass, worked well for me. I put the 4oz in a Nobler around 1959, never a problem, well you did have to bevel the mounts in order to line it up.

Walter

Chris McMillin · « **Reply #13 on:** February 20, 2008, 04:53:30 PM »

Here are some pics of Jerry McMillin's DeBolt Continental. Built in 1965, it was dope and silk, Aerogloss white with Randolph red. Powered by an OS 29 twin stack it has an upright only vented tank. It only flew a handfull of times, mostly at the Butler Polo Grounds in Chicago where there was very well groomed grass.
It hangs in my old room at my parents house, not a line, crack or wrinkle.
Chris...

Elwyn Aud · « **Reply #14 on:** February 20, 2008, 05:11:22 PM »

Those wing tips are a bit unusual. Here's the shot with a stab at color correction.

Vince Mankowski · « **Reply #15 on:** February 20, 2008, 06:33:04 PM »

Continental - OS 25-s, ALuminum gear & all terrain wheels (for my flying site!) silk & dope.
(here's hoping the attachment attaches)

Chris McMillin · « **Reply #16 on:** February 20, 2008, 07:01:18 PM »

Quote from: Elwyn Aud on February 20, 2008, 05:11:22 PM

Those wing tips are a bit unusual. Here's the shot with a stab at color correction.

Well, The grass is the right color but not the model. I correct these photos as I can and try to make the model look right. It's primary red.
Dad never built many kits in stock configuration. The tip tank thing was pretty neat.
Chris...

Bob Zambelli · « **Reply #17 on:** February 21, 2008, 08:55:07 AM »

Now I'm totally convinced - the Continental will be started as soon as my new shop is set up.

A few mods will happen, like possibly a capstripped and slightly thicker wing/more blunt lead edge and a longer fuselage but the main theme will be held.

Power will be an OS .20 4-stroke.

Bob Z.

EddyR · « **Reply #18 on:** February 21, 2008, 11:18:31 AM »

Bob In the mid to late 50's around the Binghamton NY area the Continental were modified by Lisle Wheeler this way. Tail moment was lengthened about one inch and flaps cut into wing that were about 6-7 inches on each side.Ringmasters had this same mod done end flew very well.
Ed

Bob Zambelli · « **Reply #19 on:** February 21, 2008, 12:35:24 PM »

Look at the red & cream Continental posted by Elwyn then the green & cream one posted by Vince.

The tail moment on Vince's looks a bit longer.

Bob Z.

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #20 on:** February 21, 2008, 09:21:10 PM »

I'd think those DeBolt CL designs would all be 50+ years old. How long does a copyright last? Not to say anything bad about Fran P., but don't you think it's all smoke and mirrors? Maybe a little research online could cough up the answers. Maybe tomorrow, if I come back from the Dr.'s...

Steve

Dalton Hammett · « **Reply #21 on:** February 25, 2008, 03:28:39 PM »

Hi Bob

If you need any special measurements when you build the Continental, I have one of the
kits in my collection of odds and ends.

Dalton Hammett