Concept Fleet Biplane
04-28-2015, 12:12 PM
#876
Your dowel treatment is what I do on all externally stressed feathers. Prevents the attaching hardware from crushing softer balsa . Not much more difficult unless the balsa structure is too soft to let a Forstner bit cut a clean hole. I've used a Dremel and bit with success but only before the 2nd cup of Joe.
The attach point is well out there. All Fleets attachments were about 2/3rds of the span outward.
Currently re-engining my Cub and trying to repair my Fleet. I'm so far behind. Our Club fly in is this Sat and I'm rushing to get the Cub done. I need to get a job so I can find time for my planes and a thorough garage cleaning.
Ray
The attach point is well out there. All Fleets attachments were about 2/3rds of the span outward.
Currently re-engining my Cub and trying to repair my Fleet. I'm so far behind. Our Club fly in is this Sat and I'm rushing to get the Cub done. I need to get a job so I can find time for my planes and a thorough garage cleaning.
Ray
04-28-2015, 12:41 PM
#877
My Cubs tail brace wires also are about 2/3 out.. However, I am just repairing the plane keeping with the design of the original builder. By staying with the original locations I will not have to recreate the wires, which are a nice set of cables.
SunDevilPilot
SunDevilPilot
05-03-2015, 09:49 AM
#878
Horizontal Stab is recovered. Using Solartex, which I believe the plane was originally covered in.
Solartex, with exception of the weight, must be one of the easiest to apply / best coverings available. It just stretches around compound curves with ease.
In the future I would like to try Stits as I am always wanting to learn something new. However, I have the Solartex already and its use seems appropriate for this plane.
Covered the bottom, then the top, then used an old soldering iron (Purchased for this purpose) to burn out all the holes.
SunDevilPilot
Solartex, with exception of the weight, must be one of the easiest to apply / best coverings available. It just stretches around compound curves with ease.
In the future I would like to try Stits as I am always wanting to learn something new. However, I have the Solartex already and its use seems appropriate for this plane.
Covered the bottom, then the top, then used an old soldering iron (Purchased for this purpose) to burn out all the holes.
SunDevilPilot
05-04-2015, 03:23 PM
#881
Went flying this morning but it turned into a short day. For some reason no one else was there. Had the whole place all to myself. Got home at about noon, had some lunch, then covered the rudder. Was a little challenging, working around the hinges, but it went without issue.
The tail feathers are now ready for paint, which is next.
Then I'll move onto the broken muffler.... Hum... how to fix that.
SunDevilPilot
The tail feathers are now ready for paint, which is next.
Then I'll move onto the broken muffler.... Hum... how to fix that.
SunDevilPilot
05-05-2015, 12:33 PM
#883
Well.... I decided to get the painting done. If I didn't jump on it the weather around here would rapidly become too hot to paint.
I was a little rusty with my painting skills but everything went on good. Just a little more paint than I would have liked.
I had the cream Klass Kote from my Super Cub project which is a pretty close match to what the plane had on it previously. It may be just a hint darker.
Next weekend I can put the tail feathers back onto the plane. Then... Onto the muffler.
SunDevilPilot
I was a little rusty with my painting skills but everything went on good. Just a little more paint than I would have liked.
I had the cream Klass Kote from my Super Cub project which is a pretty close match to what the plane had on it previously. It may be just a hint darker.
Next weekend I can put the tail feathers back onto the plane. Then... Onto the muffler.
SunDevilPilot
05-05-2015, 04:51 PM
#884
Nice color. Close to Diana Cream I'd suspect.
Got mine on her legs after a re-engine of my Cub. I sport the old Throttle Coupled Spark advance and cubing up required a whole new set of linkages and rig.
The engine in the Fleet is an Enya V240. Really powers her well with a great twin sound. Lopes at idle. Engine was overhauled two years ago before the crash. Still a honker.
Ray W.
Got mine on her legs after a re-engine of my Cub. I sport the old Throttle Coupled Spark advance and cubing up required a whole new set of linkages and rig.
The engine in the Fleet is an Enya V240. Really powers her well with a great twin sound. Lopes at idle. Engine was overhauled two years ago before the crash. Still a honker.
Ray W.
05-10-2015, 02:49 PM
#885
Not sure how to fix this one.
Today I pulled the motor. I had discovered one of the muffler pipes had broken loose. I had been discussing this issue with a guy at the field and he said he had a broken G38 (Bent Crank) and I was free to have it. This one had a complete Bennett muffler and we both thought it would fix my issue.
However, when I took the muffler off the motor from the plane I discovered it had a 4 bolt attachment on the muffler. The first half of the muffler attaches to the cylinder head then the second set of bolts holds the outer half of the muffler on. These outer holes fit the traditional attachment method but are just a bit narrower in width than the muffler from the bend crank engine. I believe the bent crank style represents the current dimensions for the motor. The planes motor also has some raised areas around the exhaust port which would precent any other muffler from sitting flush.
I've looked briefly for a replacement muffler and I haven't found anything like the one on the good motor.
Need to think on this one.
SunDevilPilot
Today I pulled the motor. I had discovered one of the muffler pipes had broken loose. I had been discussing this issue with a guy at the field and he said he had a broken G38 (Bent Crank) and I was free to have it. This one had a complete Bennett muffler and we both thought it would fix my issue.
However, when I took the muffler off the motor from the plane I discovered it had a 4 bolt attachment on the muffler. The first half of the muffler attaches to the cylinder head then the second set of bolts holds the outer half of the muffler on. These outer holes fit the traditional attachment method but are just a bit narrower in width than the muffler from the bend crank engine. I believe the bent crank style represents the current dimensions for the motor. The planes motor also has some raised areas around the exhaust port which would precent any other muffler from sitting flush.
I've looked briefly for a replacement muffler and I haven't found anything like the one on the good motor.
Need to think on this one.
SunDevilPilot
05-10-2015, 03:12 PM
#887
Well....
I may have figured out why the G38 muffler doesn't fit... Because the motor on the plane is not a G38.. It appears to be a Quadra 35. I was looking around and found the attached photos of a Q35. That is what mine looks like!
Bennett still makes mufflers for the Q35 so I may just order one of those.
SunDevilPilot
I may have figured out why the G38 muffler doesn't fit... Because the motor on the plane is not a G38.. It appears to be a Quadra 35. I was looking around and found the attached photos of a Q35. That is what mine looks like!
Bennett still makes mufflers for the Q35 so I may just order one of those.
SunDevilPilot
05-10-2015, 03:15 PM
#888
I'll clean up the broken one a bit as see what I have. Not damaged too bad.
SunDevilPilot
05-10-2015, 04:37 PM
#889
I'd give it a try too. I wonder , since it is gas/oil , if the exhaust temps would melt a good silver solder.
Good if parts are still available. Now, what to do with all the 72Hz radios I have. Lousy ballast
Ray W.
Good if parts are still available. Now, what to do with all the 72Hz radios I have. Lousy ballast
Ray W.
05-11-2015, 09:58 AM
#890
Today I glued up the hinges on the elevator. I still need to add the control horns back onto the surfaces but for the most part the repair process is complete. Just put the elevator on the plane so it doesn't get damaged while waiting for the hinges to totally cure.
The tail brace wires are out of adjustment by a tiny bit, this will be remedied when the final install is done.
I bounced around a bit on what to do about the motor. I contemplated just getting a nice new G38 but the distance from the firewall to the front of the cowl is a little short for that motor. So I decided to just stay with the Quadra 35. Will order the replacement muffler in a bit.
Here is something strange. The damaged G38 I got from a guy at the flying field came in a box. At the bottom of the box was a sales label for a "Low Time Quadra 35". There is also a manual for a Quadra 35 lining the bottom of the box. Guess it was meant to be.
SunDevilPilot
The tail brace wires are out of adjustment by a tiny bit, this will be remedied when the final install is done.
I bounced around a bit on what to do about the motor. I contemplated just getting a nice new G38 but the distance from the firewall to the front of the cowl is a little short for that motor. So I decided to just stay with the Quadra 35. Will order the replacement muffler in a bit.
Here is something strange. The damaged G38 I got from a guy at the flying field came in a box. At the bottom of the box was a sales label for a "Low Time Quadra 35". There is also a manual for a Quadra 35 lining the bottom of the box. Guess it was meant to be.
SunDevilPilot
05-28-2015, 02:03 PM
#894
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Chatham, ON, CANADA
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I just purchased what I believe to be a 1/3 Concept Fleet Finch. Unfortunately, there was no paper work for this plane. I need to know where the C/G should be. Can anyone help? Guess I meant 1/4 scale? Darn keyboard always making mistakes?
Thanks
Cliff
Thanks
Cliff
Last edited by prangled prop; 05-28-2015 at 02:50 PM. Reason: add info
05-28-2015, 05:45 PM
#896
Join Date: Sep 2004
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Thanks.
Ok now I am confused, not sure which one I have. I suspect it must be 1/4 scale as it has a wing span of approx 90" If I did my math correct from the specs of the full size I should have a 1/4 scale. My wing span is approx 90 ".
Cliff
Ok now I am confused, not sure which one I have. I suspect it must be 1/4 scale as it has a wing span of approx 90" If I did my math correct from the specs of the full size I should have a 1/4 scale. My wing span is approx 90 ".
Cliff
05-28-2015, 06:25 PM
#897
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: , MI
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Hi Fleet guys, a 1/4 scale Concept Fleet has 86" wing span... Ron Weiss 1/3 scale Fleet Biplane has a 112" wing span... I have never seen a Fleet biplane with a 90" Span, unless some one enlarged the concept plan! or increased the wing span? just trying to help..... Al
05-28-2015, 06:37 PM
#898
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Thanks Al
OK The wings are in a box to I was trying to guestimate the measurements. I remeasured as best I could with out putting it together and the upper wing is, as best as I could do it in my dark garage, is 84. I can not say for certain it is a Concept Fleet, but all the pictures I see here and else where match up.
Cliff
PS Al I see you are in Michigan, will you be at Warbirds and Classics over Michigan next weekend?
OK The wings are in a box to I was trying to guestimate the measurements. I remeasured as best I could with out putting it together and the upper wing is, as best as I could do it in my dark garage, is 84. I can not say for certain it is a Concept Fleet, but all the pictures I see here and else where match up.
Cliff
PS Al I see you are in Michigan, will you be at Warbirds and Classics over Michigan next weekend?
05-29-2015, 04:11 AM
#899
Concept made the 1/4 scale plane. The 1/3 scale is just plans developed by Ron Weiss and distributed by a noted plans maker Ziroli. No kit formally mass produced for the 1/3. My 1/3 scale was cut by Precision Cut Kits from those plans.
I'd put money on your plane is a Concept 1/4 scale.
Ray W.
I'd put money on your plane is a Concept 1/4 scale.
Ray W.
05-29-2015, 04:52 AM
#900
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Hi Fleet guys, you can also get the 1/3 scale Fleet (Ron Weiss) from (National Balsa), Laser cut.. full wood kit $450.00, short wood kit $350.00 don't know if they sell the plans or not... no wire or hardware... you may have get ( Ron Weiss plans from Ziroli)... (National Balsa) does nice work...Al