i just reseved my smith miniplane 2000 plans ''the newer plans''. well there great drawings with fullscale ribs and panel templated but im lost on a few things. I was wondering if anyone could send any pictures of your or found pics of consruction, covering, anything could help. pictures primarily on the fus would help the most. also i need to know the proper tention for all flying wires and the tail wires oh and anything of the tail wheel mounting and construction/ what tail wheel used. seariusly anything helps. thanks ahead of time[sm=49_49.gif]

Yes, I happen to know a friend whose best friend currently holds the rights to the Smith Mini Plane. He can be reached at: Scott Smith <[email protected]>; Scott is an insurance agent specializing in aircraft and his friend is a machinest who builds parts for homebuilts including the Smith. Norm

thats who i got the plans from. there all good guys down at skysmith i might have them build my wing

ok ok wing ribs are easy but dose anyone have photos of the welded fussalage so i can see the welds and work. im still not sure if i need a real sertified aircraft welder or if i can do it on my welding licence anyone know

As a homebuilt, no certified welder is needed; just practice. You want to use gas weld or tig not mig the structure. There is an old Smith Mini Plane 4 hangers down form ours. It needs a little restoration but looks fun. You need to get in touch with the CAA and the EAA as that will be the best information on what you need to comply with.

Flying wires are not tensioned to a number; what happens is you put it all together with the landing wires at a certain length; then you tighten the flying wires which will force the wing struts down tightening the landing wires. When the bottom wing reaches the correct dihedral, which is decreasing with tension, the tension is right. The drag antidrag braces are set so the wing structure is square.

thaks TTF you wouldnt hapen to have photos of the smith mini down the road from ya would you.