XP-3 PUSHER
09-15-2006, 05:59 PM
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XP-3 PUSHER
Anybody out there built a Ben Shereshaw XP-3 Pusher? If so would appreciate answers to the following questions:
What size motor did you use & where is the C of G?
Thanks in advance.
09-15-2006, 10:11 PM
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RE: XP-3 PUSHER
I have plans for the XP-3, and the Valkyrie...quite a project either way...and where do you store it?
There is a R/C version of the XP-3 called the RC-1...but I have not been able to find out anything about it other than it was set up for early radio control.
Would be curious as to what glow or gas engine would be suitable as a "pusher"...all the prop loads are INTO the engine. Don't think that many engines are built to take the thrust pushing into the crankcase rather than pulling out.
As a freeflight model with short engine runs, it probably was not of much consequence...but in a r/c version with a 5 to 20 minute engine run, wonder how long most modern glow or gas engine could run without damage.
Electric may allow a gearbox to take the load rather than the snout of a crankcase or the rear cover.
Pete
There is a R/C version of the XP-3 called the RC-1...but I have not been able to find out anything about it other than it was set up for early radio control.
Would be curious as to what glow or gas engine would be suitable as a "pusher"...all the prop loads are INTO the engine. Don't think that many engines are built to take the thrust pushing into the crankcase rather than pulling out.
As a freeflight model with short engine runs, it probably was not of much consequence...but in a r/c version with a 5 to 20 minute engine run, wonder how long most modern glow or gas engine could run without damage.
Electric may allow a gearbox to take the load rather than the snout of a crankcase or the rear cover.
Pete
09-17-2006, 11:03 AM
#3
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RE: XP-3 PUSHER
What a GREAT project!
Good insight on the engine. I think you could get in trouble LONG term with a plain bearing (bronze bushing) engine, but any ball bearing engine should be OK - The bearings really do not care which direction the thrust loading is coming from. Usually the biggest problems with a pusher are packaging the muffler, keeping adequate airflow, and finding a decent pusher prop!
Looks like the XP3 was designed in 1938 and has a 120" wing span with 1413 sq. in. The ringer is the year - the most powerful engine in 1938 was less powerfull than a 1970's vintage baffle piston 60 or a modern 45! I have a Valkyrie that is (over) powered with a 1970's vintage Fox Eagle 60 Mk 1. For the pusher I would look at something like that: the Fox, and Enya 60 Mk II or Mk III, "small case" Super Tigre 60 or 56, a Webra Blackhead maybe a OS FS61 four stroke - any of those swinging a 12-6 or 13-5 PUSHER prop. Prop availability might prove to be your bugaboo - I thnk Zinger might have the widest selection.
In order to use normal rotation props you have to reverse the rotation of the engine from CCW to CW. OS had a reverse rotation camshaft availabe for the FS61 - you would have to find a engine guru or get lucky on EBAY to find one. Ditto finding a reverse roation crankshaft for any of the 2-strokes mentioned - I think Enya had them available.
Modern engines? I would use a 61 four stroke, or a 45-50 stroke with a 4 or 5" pitch prop.
GOOD LUCK and don't forget the pix!
Good insight on the engine. I think you could get in trouble LONG term with a plain bearing (bronze bushing) engine, but any ball bearing engine should be OK - The bearings really do not care which direction the thrust loading is coming from. Usually the biggest problems with a pusher are packaging the muffler, keeping adequate airflow, and finding a decent pusher prop!
Looks like the XP3 was designed in 1938 and has a 120" wing span with 1413 sq. in. The ringer is the year - the most powerful engine in 1938 was less powerfull than a 1970's vintage baffle piston 60 or a modern 45! I have a Valkyrie that is (over) powered with a 1970's vintage Fox Eagle 60 Mk 1. For the pusher I would look at something like that: the Fox, and Enya 60 Mk II or Mk III, "small case" Super Tigre 60 or 56, a Webra Blackhead maybe a OS FS61 four stroke - any of those swinging a 12-6 or 13-5 PUSHER prop. Prop availability might prove to be your bugaboo - I thnk Zinger might have the widest selection.
In order to use normal rotation props you have to reverse the rotation of the engine from CCW to CW. OS had a reverse rotation camshaft availabe for the FS61 - you would have to find a engine guru or get lucky on EBAY to find one. Ditto finding a reverse roation crankshaft for any of the 2-strokes mentioned - I think Enya had them available.
Modern engines? I would use a 61 four stroke, or a 45-50 stroke with a 4 or 5" pitch prop.
GOOD LUCK and don't forget the pix!
09-22-2006, 06:21 PM
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RE: XP-3 PUSHER
Gentlemen,
Thanks very much for the info. I will be starting construction this winter & will keep a photographic record of each phase. I can see quite a few hurdles already ie where do I position the servos for rudder & elevator control. But I reckon solving problems like these & making it turn out alright is one of the reasons that keeps me, & no doubt all of you good people, firmly rooted our hobby. I hope you will indulge me when I am back looking for more answers.
Best Regards
Ian Milne.
Thanks very much for the info. I will be starting construction this winter & will keep a photographic record of each phase. I can see quite a few hurdles already ie where do I position the servos for rudder & elevator control. But I reckon solving problems like these & making it turn out alright is one of the reasons that keeps me, & no doubt all of you good people, firmly rooted our hobby. I hope you will indulge me when I am back looking for more answers.
Best Regards
Ian Milne.
12-12-2006, 10:03 AM
#6
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RE: XP-3 PUSHER
millie,
The AMA plans service lists the RC-1 as a 3-sheet set for $45. That's a bit pricey, but I've got the XP-3 plans and they don't show as much as I'd like them to as far as templates. Maybe it would be worh it to get the RC version, but I bet it wouldn't have ailerons. Looking forward to hearing about your progress.
papermache
The AMA plans service lists the RC-1 as a 3-sheet set for $45. That's a bit pricey, but I've got the XP-3 plans and they don't show as much as I'd like them to as far as templates. Maybe it would be worh it to get the RC version, but I bet it wouldn't have ailerons. Looking forward to hearing about your progress.
papermache
02-19-2007, 12:04 PM
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RE: XP-3 PUSHER
Regarding XP-3 plans.
I just received an e-mail from Pedro G. in Brazil about getting full size plans for the XP-3.
I used an online plan seller "www.myunclewillies.com" The url for the page with the XP-3 is:
http://www.myunclewillies.com/oldtimers.html
About 2 years ago purchased several full size plans from him including the Valkyrie, XP-3, Miss America, and a few others. All look to be good quality, symmetrical.
He apparently now just sells digital copies, you print them yourself at a local copy, blueprint, architects service shop.
For someone out of the country digital delivery may be very good.
His site is full of fluff and b.s., but...PLANS I have purchased so far have been great....he has lots of plans to view.
(Let me know if you find this post Pedro...reluctant to answer new e-mails having gone through virus problems.)
Pete
I just received an e-mail from Pedro G. in Brazil about getting full size plans for the XP-3.
I used an online plan seller "www.myunclewillies.com" The url for the page with the XP-3 is:
http://www.myunclewillies.com/oldtimers.html
About 2 years ago purchased several full size plans from him including the Valkyrie, XP-3, Miss America, and a few others. All look to be good quality, symmetrical.
He apparently now just sells digital copies, you print them yourself at a local copy, blueprint, architects service shop.
For someone out of the country digital delivery may be very good.
His site is full of fluff and b.s., but...PLANS I have purchased so far have been great....he has lots of plans to view.
(Let me know if you find this post Pedro...reluctant to answer new e-mails having gone through virus problems.)
Pete
04-04-2007, 11:58 AM
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RE: XP-3 PUSHER
I just received the plans from unclewillies.com for the XP-3. He also sent along scans of the magazine articles. I discovered the articles were missing pieces. I search, and the local library has the magazines on microfilm. I'm planning on heading down there after work Thursday, and see if I can get printouts of the complete articles.
Now that I've looked at them, and discovered the RC-1. I ordered the plans for the RC-1 as well. I should be receiving them later next week.
I'm thinking of using this plane as a aerial photography platform....
I'm also planning on going all electric.
Should be interesting...
Update:
I searched through library websites, and found my local library had the original magazines on hand. I stopped there after work today. And copied the pages. Seems I missed one page. I'll have to go back.
I scanned them in. Anybody want them??? I can email them...
Now that I've looked at them, and discovered the RC-1. I ordered the plans for the RC-1 as well. I should be receiving them later next week.
I'm thinking of using this plane as a aerial photography platform....
I'm also planning on going all electric.
Should be interesting...
Update:
I searched through library websites, and found my local library had the original magazines on hand. I stopped there after work today. And copied the pages. Seems I missed one page. I'll have to go back.
I scanned them in. Anybody want them??? I can email them...
