Jim LeRoy Pitts Bulldog - Take 2!
04-08-2011, 06:32 AM
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RE: Jim LeRoy Pitts Bulldog - Take 2!
ORIGINAL: gboulton
When I get home, I'll post some pictures, but i PROMISE you I can find some sheets in my shop that are different by a half ounce easily...
When I get home, I'll post some pictures, but i PROMISE you I can find some sheets in my shop that are different by a half ounce easily...
3/32" x 3" x 42" sheets. Various sources...some "Midwest Balsa" bought from the LHS, some included with kits, etc. I grabbed maybe 15-20 sheets out of the 50-ish I have on hand, and picked the lightest and heaviest. I suspect I could find an even larger varience if I wanted to weigh all I have on hand, but this will prove the point I think.
For what it's worth, I did a bit of math on the "Bulldog To Be". With some very rough measuring and calculating, in terms of square footage, it would take 23 of these pieces to do all the various sheeting on the Pitts.
At .7 oz difference per sheet : 23 * .7 = 16.1 oz
So, it's VERY reasonable to suggest that on a 1/4 scale or so airplane, built with fairly recent building methods, simply exercising careful balsa selection can save a POUND of weight on the airplane. That's a VERY significant amount of weight on ANY airplane, much less a draggy bipe.
04-09-2011, 11:48 AM
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RE: Jim LeRoy Pitts Bulldog - Take 2!
The G-62 started its journey out to Ralph today, and the top right aileron is coming along nicely. Should be just about ready to hinge it and cut the opening for the slave rod this afternoon.
04-16-2011, 04:53 PM
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RE: Jim LeRoy Pitts Bulldog - Take 2!
Something of a busy week, didn't get a whole lot done.
Did manage to spend a little time on her today, though.
The top left aileron is basically finished. Some final sanding remains to be done, but hinge pockets are in, the LE slave rod is in, and the aileron functions as it should. Right aileron bay is now cut out as well, and the TE stock put in place. Aileron has been cut, but no shaping done yet.
Also managed to find the old bag of "stuff" from a former airplane, so a few odds and ends like regulators, some ball links, etc, won't have to be purchased outright. Always enjoy saving money!
Hopefully, the top wing can be finished soonish, and the bottom wing can begin.
04-21-2011, 05:12 PM
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RE: Jim LeRoy Pitts Bulldog - Take 2!
Sorry for the lack of updates...Not a whole lot of Bulldog progress for a bit I suspect. Work's busy, and the downstairs renovation has a mere 2 weeks left to get done. [X(]
05-02-2011, 11:23 AM
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RE: Jim LeRoy Pitts Bulldog - Take 2!
The Zenoah got back from Ralph today, and again, he's worked magic on it.
Nice, clean, cup mount ignition, perfectly spaced prop hub, and, of course, lighter. A full 10.5 ounces lighter. That's somewhere in the neighborhood of a 120 ozin front moment, which should kill a GOOD 3+ oz of the tail weight that was in the back when I got the airplane.
Combine this with the ability to go with a small (800-1000mah) 4cell NiMh ignition pack instead of a larger 6V pack, AND no longer needing standoffs, and we're pretty darn close to a pound of weight out of the airplane...that'll be a BIG deal.
05-06-2011, 04:24 AM
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RE: Jim LeRoy Pitts Bulldog - Take 2!
Ok,a little motivation.Jason did a full check up and added two Fromco batteries and did a couple of test flights yesterday.Said it flew great!!!Get going Gordon,can't wait to see it.
05-06-2011, 08:53 AM
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RE: Jim LeRoy Pitts Bulldog - Take 2!
Looks fantastic, Joe!
Can't offer too much hope right now...not only are we buried in a much needed remodeling project, but the wife just had her 3rd surgery since November...so, the Bulldog Take II is idle for a bit.
05-06-2011, 03:13 PM
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RE: Jim LeRoy Pitts Bulldog - Take 2!
ORIGINAL: gboulton
Looks fantastic, Joe!
Looks fantastic, Joe!
Can't offer too much hope right now...not only are we buried in a much needed remodeling project, but the wife just had her 3rd surgery since November...so, the Bulldog Take II is idle for a bit.
05-06-2011, 03:15 PM
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RE: Jim LeRoy Pitts Bulldog - Take 2!
ORIGINAL: jstrach
Hope the Mrs. feels better very soon.
Hope the Mrs. feels better very soon.
I'm sure everything will be fine...we've just had a pretty strange set of circumstances for a few months here.
And it's not like the new Bulldog is being stopped...just slowing down for a few weeks while some things get taken care of.
05-10-2011, 07:02 AM
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RE: Jim LeRoy Pitts Bulldog - Take 2!
Nowhere near it, Jason. Haven't even finished the top wing, haven't STARTED on the bottom wing, covering's a ways off.
Haven't even finished the top wing, haven't STARTED on the bottom wing, covering's a ways off.
07-17-2011, 06:58 PM
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RE: Jim LeRoy Pitts Bulldog - Take 2!
This is a tentative Schedule of the 5th annual Jim LeRoy Memorial fly in .
-Friday August 5th will be setting up the field and getting it ready for the event . early arrivals are welcome and the field will be open for flying .
-Saturday event kicks off . food and drinks on site / pilots raffle .little model airshow at noon. also the club will be raffling off a 2 meter glider RTF w/ 2.4 radio .-2:30 awards fallowed by raffle ,
-Saturday night hanger party , 6:00pm meal tickets are $10.00 includes Pork Steak , fryed potato's/onions , Cole slaw and baked beans . camp fire , night flying , Maybe a band . Hanger with power for charging will be open for over nighters can keep planes together.
-Sunday . food / drinks will be open , fun fly as long as you like .
for more info visit us on Facebook . search for Hamilton Co Fearless Flyers . or call jason Pearson @ 618-599-6961
watch a little clip from last year http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQIfxQ4IAzg
-Friday August 5th will be setting up the field and getting it ready for the event . early arrivals are welcome and the field will be open for flying .
-Saturday event kicks off . food and drinks on site / pilots raffle .little model airshow at noon. also the club will be raffling off a 2 meter glider RTF w/ 2.4 radio .-2:30 awards fallowed by raffle ,
-Saturday night hanger party , 6:00pm meal tickets are $10.00 includes Pork Steak , fryed potato's/onions , Cole slaw and baked beans . camp fire , night flying , Maybe a band . Hanger with power for charging will be open for over nighters can keep planes together.
-Sunday . food / drinks will be open , fun fly as long as you like .
for more info visit us on Facebook . search for Hamilton Co Fearless Flyers . or call jason Pearson @ 618-599-6961
watch a little clip from last year http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQIfxQ4IAzg
11-20-2011, 08:28 AM
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RE: Jim LeRoy Pitts Bulldog - Take 2!
Hey Fellas, Anybody know where I can locate any 3 view drawings of Jim's Bulldog 1 ? I've looked high and low to no avail. No color, just the black and white line drawings.
Steve........
Steve........
07-09-2012, 04:22 PM
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RE: Jim LeRoy Pitts Bulldog - Take 2!
Time has once again rolled around to greet the 6th Annual "Jim Leroy Memorial Fly-In" and the Hamilton County Fearless Flyers would like to invite all to a weekend of comradery and fellowship of all things that fly. First weekend of August......
07-13-2012, 05:36 PM
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RE: Jim LeRoy Pitts Bulldog - Take 2!
Hello,
I wonder what happened to this thread? Gordon was doing an awesome job of converting his ARF to a REAL MASTERPIECE.........
I hope edverything is going with Gordon and his better half.
I wonder what happened to this thread? Gordon was doing an awesome job of converting his ARF to a REAL MASTERPIECE.........
I hope edverything is going with Gordon and his better half.
07-14-2012, 06:05 PM
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RE: Jim LeRoy Pitts Bulldog - Take 2!
gbolton
I was just reading some post on here and noticed you interest in Jim Leroy's aircraft. I ran an airshow for many years and Jim was a class act.
I just purchased a large number of giant scale aircraft and one of them is a VERY nice scale airplane of his. I may sell it since I do not need all of these additioinal aircraft. If you are interested drop me a note.
I was just reading some post on here and noticed you interest in Jim Leroy's aircraft. I ran an airshow for many years and Jim was a class act.
I just purchased a large number of giant scale aircraft and one of them is a VERY nice scale airplane of his. I may sell it since I do not need all of these additioinal aircraft. If you are interested drop me a note.