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Bridi UFO conversion to tri-gear - 5/25/2008 1:49:17 AM   
tedev


 

Posts: 9
Joined: 6/11/2006
From: Westbury, NY, USA
Status: offline 		I have a Bridi UFO I picked up at a swap meet. It is built as tail dragger with foam core wing. I love the way it flies and want to use it for pattern practice.

Problem is the support block for the main gear is weak. It looks like it has broken off before and was epoxied back in, along with pieces of the fuselage former. I am afraid a hard landing will break it again.

I would like to convert it to a tri gear, but have no idea of how to insert wood blocks in the foam wing. The plane came with no plans, so i would not know where to place the gear support blocks.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Also, if anyone knows where to get a copy of the plans please let me know.

Thanks in advance,
Ted
       Post #: 1

RE: Bridi UFO conversion to tri-gear - 5/25/2008 1:55:13 AM   
Free Bird


 

Posts: 619
Joined: 11/20/2005
From: Somewhere Out There, USA
Status: offline 		Plans are still available from RCM. Site is rcmmagazine.com

FB

(in reply to tedev)
       Post #: 2

RE: Bridi UFO conversion to tri-gear - 5/25/2008 4:01:14 AM   
rainedave



Posts: 5014
Joined: 7/21/2005
From: Greensboro, NC, USA
Status: online 		The more difficult part is going to be installing the nose gear. If you read through some of the build threads like 8178's you'll see how to install plywood plates reinforced with dowels into foam wings. But, I would definitely do the conversion. This plane - IMO - looks better with tri-gear.

Here's a detail of the plans showing the location of the mains using a nose gear.

David



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(in reply to Free Bird)
       Post #: 3

RE: Bridi UFO conversion to tri-gear - 5/25/2008 4:19:34 AM   
tedev


 

Posts: 9
Joined: 6/11/2006
From: Westbury, NY, USA
Status: offline 		Free Bird:

Thanks a lot for the info on the plans. I will give them a call Tuesday.

Rainedave:
I greatly appreciate the plan detail for the mains location. I have read 8178's posts and I will give it a shot. I also think the plane looks better in a tri-gear configuration.

My only problem may be the 2 aileron servos the builder put in the wing - but I will figure out a way around it.

And of course I will have to figure out the CG location - it might change with the different gear.

BTW: I have been following your build thread on the UFO - amazing work. Can't wait to see it finished.

Thanks again,

Ted

(in reply to rainedave)
       Post #: 4

RE: Bridi UFO conversion to tri-gear - 5/25/2008 4:21:25 AM   
frugalme


 

Posts: 148
Joined: 11/9/2007
From: Transylvania, LA, USA
Status: offline
Looks the same in the air (where it counts) with the gear up. Put in retractable mains and keep it a taildragger.

A dissenting opinion from,

Terry in LP

(in reply to rainedave)
       Post #: 5

RE: Bridi UFO conversion to tri-gear - 5/27/2008 1:18:57 AM   
oldpatflr


 

Posts: 38
Joined: 11/24/2005
From: Clyo, GA, USA
Status: online 		I agree with Frugalme. Just dance with the girl you brung. I am flying 2 now, 1 tri gear, 1 taildragger, both Rossi se and pipes and while 1 rolls better the other 1 loops better. Yeah the tri gear one looks better on the ground, they do their talking in the air. The taildragger is somewhat bouncey on landing till you learn to keep it off the ground till it's done flying.

DAVE

(in reply to frugalme)
       Post #: 6

RE: Bridi UFO conversion to tri-gear - 5/27/2008 1:41:18 AM   
oldpatflr


 

Posts: 38
Joined: 11/24/2005
From: Clyo, GA, USA
Status: online 		Thought you might enjoy a pic of both

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       Post #: 7

RE: Bridi UFO conversion to tri-gear - 5/27/2008 2:24:00 AM   
tedev


 

Posts: 9
Joined: 6/11/2006
From: Westbury, NY, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks for the pics oldpatflr - they both look great. The taildragger is bouncy on landing indeed, and the plane comes in a bit fast, but it is not bad at all. I just love the way it flies: fast, precise and like on rails.

Funny you mentioned running Rossi 60's on both of them. I just got me one of these beautiful engines, and been cleaning it for 3 days now (crock pot + antifreeze as it was really gummed up). She came out nice and shinny, and I will replace the bearings - just in case.

But... I tested for fit on the UFO and it looks a bit short. I do not want to modify the nose of the plane. The previous owner had it set up for an OS 60 RF engine, and the Tower 75 I had on hand was almost a drop in replacement.

I would very much like to fit the Rossi, but if it does not work out, then I have a US 61 R I want to try (my UFO has a pipe tunnel on top of the fuselage)...

Thanks again,
Ted

(in reply to oldpatflr)
       Post #: 8

RE: Bridi UFO conversion to tri-gear - 5/27/2008 3:32:46 PM   
oldpatflr


 

Posts: 38
Joined: 11/24/2005
From: Clyo, GA, USA
Status: online 		We ALWAYS want some pictures!!!!???? Please.

Regards
DAVE

(in reply to tedev)
       Post #: 9

RE: Bridi UFO conversion to tri-gear - 5/28/2008 3:37:27 AM   
tedev


 

Posts: 9
Joined: 6/11/2006
From: Westbury, NY, USA
Status: offline 		oldpatflr

I would gladly post some photos, but I do not have any. I will take some as soon as I repair the main gear mounting block I cut out yesterday in order to reinforce.

NOTE: I see your tail dragger UFO has the mains on the wing. Mine has them mounted on the bottom of the fuse, under the tank - right in front of the wing. I wonder if this is why my gear support block is so fragile - maybe the fuse structure in that area is not strong enough to support the mains.

Any ideas?

(in reply to oldpatflr)
       Post #: 10

RE: Bridi UFO conversion to tri-gear - 5/28/2008 2:42:24 PM   
oldpatflr


 

Posts: 38
Joined: 11/24/2005
From: Clyo, GA, USA
Status: online 		Hi Ted;
This is the same deal with guys who come out to the field with Funtanas for the first time. I tell them to take off the wheel pants until they snap off the gear on landing. Why take off the pants? Cause they poke thru the wings and cause extensive damage. After this, they beef up the gear attach plate as best they can and put on the pants.
I think your best course of action is to beef up the area as best you can. The airframe is really not designed to attach the gear there, but to put retracts in the wing would be somewhat hard to route the tubes in a built wing. It could be done, but it's flying season up north, (used to live up there) and you seem to enjoy the plane alot, so epoxy and ply is the way to go I think.
Keep your eyes open. There is stuff out there. Found a Curare at Perry(in Ga.) and an Escape at Graves(in Fla.) Am waiting on a EU1-A, and just might get an XLT from Bluejay.

http://www.bridiairplanes.com/hangar/xlt.html

Anyway, I think repairs that are well done and sturdy should get you back in the game.

DAVE

(in reply to tedev)
       Post #: 11

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