12 October 04---went out to field with "contraption" Sunday afternoon,,,,at this point, engine has been on firewall approximately 1 hour total flying time (actually thats quite a bit) and operating well......after about 7 laps, engine sounds unusual, I'm at about 60 feet and 50 or so mph, engine "burps" and without warning, totally separates from firewall. Throttle linkage holds on for about 1.5 seconds, causing "full throttle" situation, while 18x10 prop is steadily eating at over-engineered landing gear. Engine departed at 2.0 seconds, leaving me with an extremely tail heavy 1.20 size stick. At this point, I'm between total surprise/awe, and fighting off hilarity of situation. All other witnesses are making curious sounds, which add to the once in a lifetime event they are all looking at. Everyone is voicing advice at me all at once---"keep the nose up",
"you need more airspeed", I'm thinking "No ****, I also need an engine!" At full elevator down, on high rate, the airplane has about a 2 degree (thats two) nose down, and an airspeed just above that of one of those sea turtles you see on animal planet, and somewhat resembles a drunken seagull contemplating suicide, the airplane actually "autorotated" strait down onto it's belly, sending the over-engineered aluminum landing gear through the fuselage, but cushioned by the half full fuel tank, the damage was minimal, and VERY much worth the entertainment. The poor engine, as if it had'nt been through enough at this point, didnt fair so well. After impacting the earth, at only god knows what telemetry, the exhaust "deflector" was smashed beyond recognition, taking 3 cooling fins with it, our PVC intake system simply separated and was spared, but the intake "manifold" was destroyed, along with the spark plug boot that had the end of my $8.00 resistor champion precariously peeking through it and the 18x10 prop was reduced to mere stubs by attempting to "saw" the gear in half. Needless to say, all very entertaining, aircraft repaired now, other engine ready, and awaiting Plan "C" of mounting method. My neighbor is going to "forge" 2 aluminum plates, one for the engine, and one for the firewall, that will have 3 "posts" on each, to accomodate 1/2 inch rubber tubing that will connect the two to absorb the high vibration being generated by this engine. We will also step up mounting holes from 10/24 to 1/4 24 and safety wire. This should be a hoot! Will update progress of said project. [][][] (I'm already scared)