It Flies

[john e. holliday]

Managed to get out and fly late Saturday afternoon.  It was humid and high 80's temp wise.  For some reason the old Fox did not want to run with the plane flipped over inverted.   Set it on the ground upright and two flips the engine was purring.  Set the needle and run a little fuel thru it.  Hooked up the lines and the stooge and put up sevral flightss.   The first flight was a little lean.  the second flight a little rich.  The third flight I started doing loops, wing overs and inverted.  The controls are very stiff on the gound but, in the air it was very responsive.  The "Morley Thunderbolt" is going to be a good one if I get the engine figured out.  By the way having the un-flo cocked out with te pick up to the out side makes for very abrupt engine stops.  No warning what ever it just quits.  Also with the dead calm air it let me know about it a couple of times.  

[Bill Little]

Hi Doc,

Not telling you anything you don't already know, but, on some models, for whatever reason, the uniflow didn't work well with the inverted Fox.  Changed to a standard vent tank and it was fine, with very little "tank tuning".  Don't know the *whys*........

Big Bear

[Jerry Leuty]

Here in north Texas, just south west of Ft. Worth a few miles, the temp. barometric pressure, and winds are constantly changing. My needle settings will change even between some flights. But generally it takes the 3rd. flight to get it right. If it doesn't feel right I don't do any maneuvers. Easier to replace a tank of fuel than a whole plane. I have found that the OS .35s and .40 FPs are sensitive to changes in needle settings. I make my own venturis out of hard plastic line spacers that you can purchase at Home Depot for around 39 cents each. They are 1/2" OD and .277 ID. Turn them down with a file and fit them to the block. Pop a hole in them and install either an OS needle or ST needle valve and you have a great C/L engine. I get a good steady 5.2 to 5.5 second lap and the pull is just right for the over heads. My profile scratch builts with a foam wing comes out around 39 to 41 ounces and for an Intermediate pilot they are great. I am also experimenting with some pink foam board also from Home Depot. It comes 5/8" thick and 4'X8' sheet all for around $10. They make great solid light ribs and profile fuselages. The fuselages are stiffened with pop sicle sticks in the forward section as well as planked with 1/16" lite ply. 1/16" balsa planking mid wing and aft. It make a very light ridged profile. I am also experimenting with some foam board purchased at Hobby Lobby for a buck for a 1/4"X2'X3' sheet. This makes the tail surfaces when planked with 1/16" balsa. My tanks are  plastic 2 line on muffler pressure. Never a failure yet with the pressurized system. The OS engines will give you a short warning when nearing the end of the fuel tank. Learning how much to full a 4 oz. tank at a given altitude is another trick in itself. All part of the fun of this hobby/sport..........................Jerry

[Bootlegger]

Jerry, got a part number on that line spacer?  Thanks, Gil

[Paul Taylor]

Still sounds like fun.
Way cool Doc.

[Jerry Leuty]

   Go to your local Home Depot and look in those little trays where the specialized bolts and things are. One part number for the line spacer is CD-W/39-W/981 It has a .257 ID. With the help of a Dremel Tool and a cone shaped grinder you can also cone out the inside deminsion to your own needs. These are 1" long and 1/2" OD. There are several different sizes. The package says they are nylon.

Jerry R. Leuty
AMA 61539

[Bill Little]

   Go to your local Home Depot and look in those little trays where the specialized bolts and things are. One part number for the line spacer is CD-W/39-W/981 It has a .257 ID. With the help of a Dremel Tool and a cone shaped grinder you can also cone out the inside deminsion to your own needs. These are 1" long and 1/2" OD. There are several different sizes. The package says they are nylon.

Jerry R. Leuty
AMA 61539

Hi Jerry,

I have used the same thing (but from the local hardware store!) and it works great.  A small lathe would make the job easier, but i haven't found one to fit the budget allocation, yet.   I will one day!

Mongo

[John Stiles]

Managed to get out and fly late Saturday afternoon.  It was humid and high 80's temp wise.  For some reason the old Fox did not want to run with the plane flipped over inverted.   Set it on the ground upright and two flips the engine was purring.  Set the needle and run a little fuel thru it.  Hooked up the lines and the stooge and put up sevral flightss.   The first flight was a little lean.  the second flight a little rich.  The third flight I started doing loops, wing overs and inverted.  The controls are very stiff on the gound but, in the air it was very responsive.  The "Morley Thunderbolt" is going to be a good one if I get the engine figured out.  By the way having the un-flo cocked out with te pick up to the out side makes for very abrupt engine stops.  No warning what ever it just quits.  Also with the dead calm air it let me know about it a couple of times.  

REal cool looking plane, Doc! Too bad you don't live next door......you wouldn't need a stooge nor a photographer......we could swap out. I guess I'm gonna hafta stooge-it if I ever get to fly again.

[john e. holliday]

Hey John, check Yahoo maps they show you are less than 500 miles from me.  Take care.

[John Stiles]

Hey John, check Yahoo maps they show you are less than 500 miles from me.  Take care.

That's just a small hop by helicopter.... ..........shux, where's the nearest heliport

[Jim Kraft]

Hey Doc; Thats a way cool plane. Hope to see it in person somewhere before the summer is over.

[john e. holliday]

If anyone is interested, there is the listing of the Thunderbolt on the UK Ebay.  Item number 320557220994 .  Now have the Fox ready to back in the plane.