Grandpa's P-47 flies! (pics, reply #6)

[Matt Colan]

Well it's been in the works for a while, starting in 1967, with the original drawing leading to construction of it 41 years later, and now it flies.  We got an LA 46 in it that will not be swinging an 11-5 pro zinger.  So far the plane looks like it has considerable promise, and in the wind since it was windy today.  What can we deduct from some loops, inverted flight, triangles and squares?  Well, the leadouts need to be moved foward, less rudder offset is needed (he put in an adjustable rudder), a tank shim and a bigger prop.  When you look at this plane from the top, it looks like the wing is in the wrong place, too far back, but it really isn't with that motor.  We did add about 3/4 of an ounce of tail weight to balance it and now it is perfect along with the vertical cg.

The plane weighs about 53 ounces, and grandpa beat his target weight by three ounces.  On his original plans, he guessed the weight to be 56 ounces so that is good.  I didn't get to shoot any pics because of a dead battery in my camera .  We got about 4 days now to trim this plane out and have it ready for the contest next weekend, and it doesn't look like it is going to take that long.

I'll shoot pics tomorrow now that I'm charging the dead battery  

[Dennis Adamisin]

Hey congrats to Gramps and YOU!   

Too bad about the bateries in your camera - at least you took it.  We went flying yesterday, ha all my batteries charged ( including the camera) and left the camera sitting on the table.       Real GENIUS huh???     


41 years in the making - that has to be some kind of record and an INSPIRATION.  My Dad desgined a semiscale way back in 1965 that he never built.  Hmmmm, I'm gonna have to get after him agbout that one!

[Matt Colan]

Hey congrats to Gramps and YOU!   

Too bad about the bateries in your camera - at least you took it.  We went flying yesterday, ha all my batteries charged ( including the camera) and left the camera sitting on the table.       Real GENIUS huh???     


41 years in the making - that has to be some kind of record and an INSPIRATION.  My Dad desgined a semiscale way back in 1965 that he never built.  Hmmmm, I'm gonna have to get after him agbout that one!

Well, I didn't have to take it far, maybe 250ft at most, to the circle of my backyard.  Is the camera still on that table Dennis?

[Dennis Adamisin]

Uh actually it IS.  However we went flying in Muncie about 165 miles away...

[Matt Colan]

Uh actually it IS.  However we went flying in Muncie about 165 miles away...

That isn't good, you may have to try out for the team to get it back

[Dennis Adamisin]

I wish!

We were flying in Muncie, my camera was sitting on a table - back in Michigan.     

[Matt Colan]

Report from today.  Grandpa is really happy with this plane, he changed all the things that I said in my first post, added a little bit of tip weight, and had a full pattern on flight number 6.  It looks like it is a good flying plane, and we are going to fly one more time before the contest to make sure the plane is already trimmed out, and to get him comfortable with it.

Grandpa has 12-5 Zinger cut down to an 11.5-5, and the motor is happy with it.  We may try a 12-5 to see if the engine'll turn it.  Also I shot a couple of pictures, and here are some of the better ones.

[Richard Grogan]

Nice plane and pixs Matt! Is that your back yard?

[steven yampolsky]

Gee,

With you and Don flying in classic, I just might wipe the dust off my Chipmunk for Saturday. Depending on the turnout and judges situation, I just might be able to sing it. But seriously, I can't wait to see P-47 in person!

[James Mills]

Wow, that is a beautiful plane.  How about some pictures of the cockpit.

James

[Bryan Higgins]

Matt

Very nice warbird stunter, Your grandpa knows his stuff.

[john e. holliday]

The plane does look great and the field looks great also.  I did find it amongst the corn.  Have fun,  DOC Holliday

[Matt Colan]

Nice plane and pixs Matt! Is that your back yard?

It sure is my backyard.  We upgraded with a concrete pad for us to stand on because grandpa has started wandering, so we put that in when we built our deck over the summer.

Gee,

With you and Don flying in classic, I just might wipe the dust off my Chipmunk for Saturday. Depending on the turnout and judges situation, I just might be able to sing it. But seriously, I can't wait to see P-47 in person!

Bring the chipmunk Steve, let's see how I stack up against the competition 

The plane does look great and the field looks great also.  I did find it amongst the corn.  Have fun,  DOC Holliday

Thanks to the grounds crew (me  ) I keep the field in tip top shape.  Now DOC, find the Ares 

[john e. holliday]

That must be it sitting over in the grass to Grandpa's left.  DOC Holliday

[Matt Colan]

That must be it sitting over in the grass to Grandpa's left.  DOC Holliday

Yep that's it, hadn't mowed the grass for a while, just the circle.  The important stuff comes first

Edit:  DOC, let's see how good you really are, find a line reel.  I'll give you a hint, it's red.

[john e. holliday]

When I enlarge the picture the tool box is cut off.  All I get is Grandpa and the Ares.  I do see a red spot over by the tool box unless Gradpa does like I do and put it in his pocket.  DOC Holliday

[Claudio Chacon]

What a beautiful plane Matt! Very NEAT work!
Say CONGRATS to Grandpa!

[Dennis Adamisin]

YES congrats to Grandpa Don!  Thanx for posting pix & info Matt.

[Matt Colan]

When I enlarge the picture the tool box is cut off.  All I get is Grandpa and the Ares.  I do see a red spot over by the tool box unless Gradpa does like I do and put it in his pocket.  DOC Holliday

That red spot is the line reel.  good job.

[Phil Spillman]

Hi Matt, A few years ago I did a comprehensive picture shoot of Grandpa's P 40's and it looks as if I may have to do another one at Brodak'10! Isn't it nice when a plan finally comes together with a positive result! Corn looks just about ready to harvest! Best of luck at the upcoming Contest and for the rest of the season.

Phil Spillman

[Matt Colan]

Hi Matt, A few years ago I did a comprehensive picture shoot of Grandpa's P 40's and it looks as if I may have to do another one at Brodak'10! Isn't it nice when a plan finally comes together with a positive result! Corn looks just about ready to harvest! Best of luck at the upcoming Contest and for the rest of the season.

Phil Spillman

We grew some corn in our little garden that we have, and boy is it GOOD!  I saw the P40 shoot in Control-line World and grandpa was suprised to find himself in it.

[Matt Colan]

Today grandpa found a BIG problem with the plumbing in the tank which resulted him in not having enough fuel for a full pattern.  Basically he had to replumb the whole tank and has to try it out tomorrow.  It was so bad, it would take to long to type out what was wrong with it, everything was in the wrong place   I took some more pics but don't have time to post them, I'll try tomorrow but no promises since I have to pack, do homework, among other things.

[John Sunderland]

Hi Matt! Nice thread.

I had the pleasure of flying against your Grandpa 13 years ago at the Nats. I remember being so impressed with his gold colored eliptical wing design..... white and bronze trim i think.....do you have a pic of it?

By the way ...nice work Grandpa...er Don. Lovely work as always. Your designs always have the classic element to the look whether scale or stunt that always takes me back. SLICK, sleek and totally stunt. Seems your grandson is carrying the legacy well!

[Matt Colan]

Hi Matt! Nice thread.

I had the pleasure of flying against your Grandpa 13 years ago at the Nats. I remember being so impressed with his gold colored eliptical wing design..... white and bronze trim i think.....do you have a pic of it?

By the way ...nice work Grandpa...er Don. Lovely work as always. Your designs always have the classic element to the look whether scale or stunt that always takes me back. SLICK, sleek and totally stunt. Seems your grandson is carrying the legacy well!

Hi John,  Today I told grandpa about you competing against him and he doesn't remember you  .  He never really does remember the actual people there, but he remember being there, and what he did.  He brought two planes to that Nats, a bronze, black and burgandy one he called Starfire (no relation to Randy Smith's design), but he pancaked it because he flew when it was dark out.  His back up plane was a Nering and that was Silver, green and black.  I don't have a pic of and I don't know how to scan old pictures into the computer, but he does have quite a few of those planes.  His Starfire was repaired and became his first piped ship.

Today, we took muffler pressure off, and put on a bigger handle and he loves the plane now.  He says it flies like his Mustang, which flew really well also and is also restoring (refinishing).

Here are a couple more pics from today and yesterday 

[Matt Colan]

Wow, that is a beautiful plane.  How about some pictures of the cockpit.

James

Hi James,  here is one of the cockpit

[John Sunderland]

Hi John,  Today I told grandpa about you competing against him and he doesn't remember you  .  He never really does remember the actual people there, but he remember being there, and what he did.  He brought two planes to that Nats, a bronze, black and burgandy one he called Starfire (no relation to Randy Smith's design), but he pancaked it because he flew when it was dark out.  His back up plane was a Nering and that was Silver, green and black.  I don't have a pic of and I don't know how to scan old pictures into the computer, but he does have quite a few of those planes.  His Starfire was repaired and became his first piped ship.

LOL..well thats ok, Im doing good to remember where I put my glasses much less 13 years ago. Yes the Starfire! Very pretty airplane. The P47 is looking really sharp too.