Help ID This Plane
08-03-2008, 11:44 PM
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Help ID This Plane
Hi,
A fellow flyer donated this to me yesterday at the field. He said it was a "4-40 or something". I've been searching for anything about it and can't find a thing. I'm sure someone can ID this for me so I can see if there ever was a canopy for it. Covered in purple heat shring covering with pink trim, a fairly good job except for the hinges. It never flew because there is no sign of control horns ever being installed.
dandigscars
A fellow flyer donated this to me yesterday at the field. He said it was a "4-40 or something". I've been searching for anything about it and can't find a thing. I'm sure someone can ID this for me so I can see if there ever was a canopy for it. Covered in purple heat shring covering with pink trim, a fairly good job except for the hinges. It never flew because there is no sign of control horns ever being installed.
dandigscars
08-04-2008, 02:25 AM
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RE: Help ID This Plane
Looks like an old Ace 4-40, and mostly complete. If that's what it is, it's one of Doc's designs, and will fly great (if it is not too heavy).
Bill, AMA 4720
WACO Brotherhood #1
Bill, AMA 4720
WACO Brotherhood #1
08-04-2008, 08:25 AM
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RE: Help ID This Plane
Yep, that's an Ace 4-40. They made a bipe model too. I'm just now finishing my Ace 4-40 (started it in '93!!!). 4 chan., O.S. .52FS, white and pearl teal Monokote with pearl wine and black trim. No canopy..it has a plastic windshield that is fairly large and the pilot (got to have a pilot) sits in the "breeze" on top of the wing. You could likely find a plastic drink bottle of the right size and cut your own windshield; check it out on RFJ's attachment. Happy flying.
Joe
Joe
08-04-2008, 05:02 PM
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RE: Help ID This Plane
Wow - That was quick! Thanks guys! Even a plan to show me where the CG should be.
Now the next question - Do you think this will fly well with an old K&B Torpedo .35 and home-made muffler (unless someone knows what commercially availble muffler might fit one). It's got the throttle-activated baffle, but my field requires mufflers. Or is that too much wing area to haul with anything less than a .40? The Torpedo has excellent compression. What did the exhaust baffle do for it anyway? Was that more of a throttle than baffle?
I don't think I'm ready for the investment of a four-cycle engine, although I love the way they sound and fly!
Truthfully, I'm not crazy about the large-scale pilot and windshield, so I might contrive a smaller canopy. I guess generic wheel pants can be fitted as well. Any tricks for cheap wheel pants?
Time to finish getting ready for this tropical storm! I live half-way between Houston and Galveston right on the Galveston Bay. I'll be wet. Worried most about tree limbs through the roof this time.
Dan
Now the next question - Do you think this will fly well with an old K&B Torpedo .35 and home-made muffler (unless someone knows what commercially availble muffler might fit one). It's got the throttle-activated baffle, but my field requires mufflers. Or is that too much wing area to haul with anything less than a .40? The Torpedo has excellent compression. What did the exhaust baffle do for it anyway? Was that more of a throttle than baffle?
I don't think I'm ready for the investment of a four-cycle engine, although I love the way they sound and fly!
Truthfully, I'm not crazy about the large-scale pilot and windshield, so I might contrive a smaller canopy. I guess generic wheel pants can be fitted as well. Any tricks for cheap wheel pants?
Time to finish getting ready for this tropical storm! I live half-way between Houston and Galveston right on the Galveston Bay. I'll be wet. Worried most about tree limbs through the roof this time.
Dan
08-04-2008, 06:00 PM
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RE: Help ID This Plane
Dan,
If you would like a copy of the magazine construction/flying article for the 4-40 just PM me your e mail adress and I can send it as a pdf attachment.
Ray
If you would like a copy of the magazine construction/flying article for the 4-40 just PM me your e mail adress and I can send it as a pdf attachment.
Ray
08-04-2008, 06:24 PM
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RE: Help ID This Plane
I built two Ace 4-40's back when they first came out in the mid-80's.
One had a Saito 45 and was a decent flyer and sounded great, but those early 4 cycles were not very powerful. My 2nd 4-40 used an OS 35FP I had lying around and flew great...better than the Saito powered one.
I suspect it would fly OK with the Torp but I would rather have a decent muffler & better carb; any sport 40 2 cycle would do very well like a K&B 40 or OS 40 LA/FP...either can be purchased pretty cheap on the big auction site.
One had a Saito 45 and was a decent flyer and sounded great, but those early 4 cycles were not very powerful. My 2nd 4-40 used an OS 35FP I had lying around and flew great...better than the Saito powered one.
I suspect it would fly OK with the Torp but I would rather have a decent muffler & better carb; any sport 40 2 cycle would do very well like a K&B 40 or OS 40 LA/FP...either can be purchased pretty cheap on the big auction site.
