G&L 1/5 DHC chipmunk - diary of a build.
09-24-2014, 02:39 AM
#851
Yes it is nice when a new bird settles in to the flock. One thing I need to do next time is take a week between ready to fly and maiden. I was so fried from building none stop that it was all a bluer and I missed some curtail things like expo and the wheels.
This build has done its job by prepping me for the completion of Angie. The amount I have learned was worth every hour spent building the chipmunk. The chipmunk will be my beater and I know it will get scratched up and dinged up but that was its destiny, to be a test bed.
There is a lot I would do different if and when I build this kit again. It would have to be the super chipmunk. This kit really builds nicely and it can be a quick build too.
Today I will just fly, no Johnny 5, not going to mess with opening the canopy, just going to fly.
TB
This build has done its job by prepping me for the completion of Angie. The amount I have learned was worth every hour spent building the chipmunk. The chipmunk will be my beater and I know it will get scratched up and dinged up but that was its destiny, to be a test bed.
There is a lot I would do different if and when I build this kit again. It would have to be the super chipmunk. This kit really builds nicely and it can be a quick build too.
Today I will just fly, no Johnny 5, not going to mess with opening the canopy, just going to fly.
TB
09-24-2014, 05:50 AM
#852
My Feedback: (6)
T/B The great thing about this build is you are satisfied, the nice thing you have shared this with us and for those that keep note's and save pic's it helps us on our next built.
Just wish I was closer so I could see it up close
Cheers Bob T
AMA13377
Corsair Brotherhood # 6
Just wish I was closer so I could see it up close
Cheers Bob T
AMA13377
Corsair Brotherhood # 6
09-24-2014, 11:05 AM
#854
Banned
The little poem in post # 844 had no comments but was aimed at expressing my own feelings.
Zor
09-24-2014, 11:25 AM
#855
Tony you have always shown your a man with a plan with what you build, you always seem to know where your going with a build which is something many do not have. You have proven your skills are second to none and your experience only makes the next one better (if thats possible), your 47 will be something to behold in my eye.. Great job in all you do.
Leroy
Leroy
09-24-2014, 12:24 PM
#856
Thanks guys, yes perfection is a unending journey. I got to the field today to test the modifications. The canopy is holding up good and working. The cowl doors did not hold up and after a short flight I took them off as to not damage them any more. I think I have a fix.
Got a bunch of flights and I am seeing how she takes off and lands. Adjusting flaps and seeing how far she will float in the flair before she drips. Testing on the grass is really nice because it is so forgiving. I wont try the pavement until we have a south wind, she will tend to go left and I don't want another encounter with the fence.
The engine is running great and the short flight I had with the cowl doors on showed no sign of over heating. I got a lot of video too.
This morning I made a new dampening camera mount that I think will work.
The mount is a brass tubing frame with Tygon fuel line attached to the tubing and looped for the camera mount to be tied to with zip ties.
This is just a test and it does not rotate.
The base has some door insulation sticky foam strips and then it is lightly screwed to the cockpit floor.
If this works I will put it on the servo for some rotation.
Well testing was successful. This works great and hardily any vibration, great video.
It is a short video just take off, a trip around the field then a landing but it is good. I am uploading now.
I also gat a good ground video too. another longer one but they take a while to upload.
I will be working on the cowl door mod tonight and tomorrow and back flying on Friday.
Everything ells is working good and she flies great.
TB
Got a bunch of flights and I am seeing how she takes off and lands. Adjusting flaps and seeing how far she will float in the flair before she drips. Testing on the grass is really nice because it is so forgiving. I wont try the pavement until we have a south wind, she will tend to go left and I don't want another encounter with the fence.
The engine is running great and the short flight I had with the cowl doors on showed no sign of over heating. I got a lot of video too.
This morning I made a new dampening camera mount that I think will work.
The mount is a brass tubing frame with Tygon fuel line attached to the tubing and looped for the camera mount to be tied to with zip ties.
This is just a test and it does not rotate.
The base has some door insulation sticky foam strips and then it is lightly screwed to the cockpit floor.
If this works I will put it on the servo for some rotation.
Well testing was successful. This works great and hardily any vibration, great video.
It is a short video just take off, a trip around the field then a landing but it is good. I am uploading now.
I also gat a good ground video too. another longer one but they take a while to upload.
I will be working on the cowl door mod tonight and tomorrow and back flying on Friday.
Everything ells is working good and she flies great.
TB
Last edited by TonyBuilder; 09-25-2014 at 02:05 AM.
09-25-2014, 10:43 AM
#862
Modifications
So I am done with the modifications and will resume flight test tomorrow.
One of the mods was to use the 5" Robart aluminum wheels.
Theses by far are the best wheels I have ever used, just wish they made smaller then 4" like for tail wheels. A 2" would be great!
Next up was to install the ignition in the fuselage and clear up the cowl cooling exit.
For the cowl doors I hade two issues.
One was the piano wire that was pinning the hinges was backing out.
I actually lost one in the first flight yesterday.
So I made new ones that have a much longer end that is bent and has shrink tubing on it.
This will keep the end from popping out from under the cowl.
Next was the latches. I tap threaded the holes in the latch brackets with a 6-32 and will use bolts to hold the doors shut.
I also glued to the inside bottom edge of the doors a full length single piece of 3/4" brass strip.
This will keep the screws from wallowing out the hole and tearing threw like they did before.
I drilled holes in it and it is glued with 30min epoxy.
This should hold if not I will hit it with a bunch of #80 screws taped into the brass.
On the rear bolts I was able to get a nylon filled nut on the end of the bolt.
This will ensure that sort of the G-10 bracket breaking the door will remain closed.
4 - 6-32x3/4" button head bolts and a neoprene backed washer should do it.
The rear screws are held with a nylon lock nut but the front are just by pressure. They are hard to get in or out being there is a bit of out ward pressure from the doors.
I may hit them with glue to lock the threads, but not so I cant remove them.
Testing will tell if this works but I feel it will.
She is ready for a full day (weekend) of flying
TB
So I am done with the modifications and will resume flight test tomorrow.
One of the mods was to use the 5" Robart aluminum wheels.
Theses by far are the best wheels I have ever used, just wish they made smaller then 4" like for tail wheels. A 2" would be great!
Next up was to install the ignition in the fuselage and clear up the cowl cooling exit.
For the cowl doors I hade two issues.
One was the piano wire that was pinning the hinges was backing out.
I actually lost one in the first flight yesterday.
So I made new ones that have a much longer end that is bent and has shrink tubing on it.
This will keep the end from popping out from under the cowl.
Next was the latches. I tap threaded the holes in the latch brackets with a 6-32 and will use bolts to hold the doors shut.
I also glued to the inside bottom edge of the doors a full length single piece of 3/4" brass strip.
This will keep the screws from wallowing out the hole and tearing threw like they did before.
I drilled holes in it and it is glued with 30min epoxy.
This should hold if not I will hit it with a bunch of #80 screws taped into the brass.
On the rear bolts I was able to get a nylon filled nut on the end of the bolt.
This will ensure that sort of the G-10 bracket breaking the door will remain closed.
4 - 6-32x3/4" button head bolts and a neoprene backed washer should do it.
The rear screws are held with a nylon lock nut but the front are just by pressure. They are hard to get in or out being there is a bit of out ward pressure from the doors.
I may hit them with glue to lock the threads, but not so I cant remove them.
Testing will tell if this works but I feel it will.
She is ready for a full day (weekend) of flying
TB
Last edited by TonyBuilder; 09-25-2014 at 10:59 AM.
09-25-2014, 12:55 PM
#863
In addition to these modifications I put in just a tad of toe in on the main gear to see if that was the issue with the ground handling.
I set it up neutral so we will see if this makes the difference. On Angie the prototype I set it neutral and it was strait as an aero.
I won't do any touch up paint until all the test flights are completed and she has worked all her bugs out, not much just the cowl, cowl doors and the ding on the wing.
I will do more video with the in cockpit camera, maybe one facing forward, slight tip to the right.
Pounce we get a south wind I will start taking off and landing on the paved runway, hope the toe in helps.
TB
I set it up neutral so we will see if this makes the difference. On Angie the prototype I set it neutral and it was strait as an aero.
I won't do any touch up paint until all the test flights are completed and she has worked all her bugs out, not much just the cowl, cowl doors and the ding on the wing.
I will do more video with the in cockpit camera, maybe one facing forward, slight tip to the right.
Pounce we get a south wind I will start taking off and landing on the paved runway, hope the toe in helps.
TB
09-25-2014, 01:02 PM
#864
It is a city park not an old General aviation field.
TB
Last edited by TonyBuilder; 09-26-2014 at 02:23 AM.
09-27-2014, 01:13 AM
#866
Well I got all the bugs worked out and I am taking the chippie to the annual memorial fly-in at the Kingsbury aerodrome. This is an all grass field so she will be good there.
I will try and take some in-cockpit video.
TB
I will try and take some in-cockpit video.
TB
Last edited by TonyBuilder; 09-27-2014 at 01:16 AM.
09-30-2014, 03:01 AM
#868
We'll gray sky's and eventually rain did not give me a chance to fly at Kingsbury. I haven't flown since last week but I did fine tune my flaps and I need to go in and tone down the pull-pull on the tail wheel. Should be good weather this weekend for some good flying.
TB
TB
10-07-2014, 10:48 AM
#873
Banned
10-07-2014, 11:21 AM
#874
My Feedback: (19)
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Garrison, MT
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I hope the damage to the plane is repairable. I know the other damage is not easily repaired.
Thank you for inspiring the best in all of us
