OK, folks. I got a new one. I got the new fuel tank installed, and the OS 40 LA engine on the Slow Poke running properly. The engine would pull it, but I believe the mixture was a bit rich. It flew well but dead sticked, and nosed down in the head wind after a stall. Well, everything looked good so I bent the gear back and made another go for it. This time, it flew just like waldopepper's Twipe on the Twist thread, only worse!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_Y0nWviPLk

It headed towards the pits, but I managed to get it yanked back to the field while the wind was blowing it due East. Well, I couldn't get it level for the life of me. It was flying better INVERTED! So that's what I did, flew it upside down towards the weeds at the other side of the runway, just before the engine went out again. The nose went "UP" (DOWN, actually), but then I added some "UP" (actually, DOWN) elevator while keeping the wings level, and then it pancaked into the tall grass. Not much damage, really, other than a broken engine mount, some wing tip damage, and yet another leaky fuel tank.

The trouble is: I have the fuel tank installed via the receiver mount using epoxy, which means yet more internal sticks, supports, and structures to break in order to get it out. Not to mention, the major construction on the hatch that will need to be built in front of the windshield in order to make it fixable later. Plus, I will have to literally chop off most of the front end to build a new firewall so I can install a decent engine mount. Yes, it looks minor. But, a major demolition, remodeling, and new plumbing is what it's gonna take to get this thing flying again. Oh, I forgot about the wing, but that shouldn't be too hard...

NorfolklSouthern