There are numerous types of "celebrities" that atract fans whose behaviour borders on the obsessive. In music circles, at least, they're called groupies. I admit it...I'm a pilot groupie. Art Scholl, Patty Wagstaff, Svetlana Kapanina to name a few. However, hands down, no contest, not even close...I'll drive anywhere and pay anything to watch Jim LeRoy perform in his Pitts S2S Bulldog.

If you've never seen this guy perform...make a point of it. Head to [link=http://www.bulldogairshows.com]Jim's website[/link] and check out some of the videos. You'll also find quite a bit of interesting info about his plane, a modified Pitts S2S nicknamed "The Bulldog".

Jim's show is, in my opinion, the SINGLE most exciting performance on the airshow circuit today, and, honestly, the most exciting I've EVER seen...despite having seen the names above, and then some.

My latest opportunity to see Jim came just last month in Tullahoma, TN, where he was performing at AEDC for their 55th aniversary. I was lucky enough to have snapped a fairly nice picture of Jim last year at the Smyrna, TN airshow, and was excited to be able to take an 8x10 of that shot with me to Tullahoma. I had the opportunity to meet Jim after his performance, and have him sign that photo. Furthermore, he was gracious and genuine enough to spend quite a while chatting with me after he'd finished signing other autographs. Beyond being a top notch airshow pilot, he's a wonderful person, and a real credit to his business.

It was that experience that convinced me...I absolutely HAVE to stop "thinking about one day modeling the Bulldog" and get off my duff and make some balsa dust.

So...

A few searches later, I ran across [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3382269/anchors_3382269/mpage_1/key_/anchor/tm.htm#3382269]this thread on RCU[/link], in which Bipe Flyer discusses plans and construction for both a stock Pitts S2S as well as a Jim LeRoy Bulldog version. Using the plans that he provided in post 179 of that thread, as well as his superb TilePrint product, I started in on a .40 sized model of The Bulldog. Save for a spinner a a couple of finishing decals, it's finished, and has flown several times. It presents EXTREMELY well in the air, and maintains several of the "quirks" of the full scale bird, making it a real joy to own and fly.



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So, with all that in mind, it's time to build a "big one".


The scale Bulldog has a 19.5' span. This is good news, as it means a true 1/3rd scale comes out at a 78" span...a very manageable and transportable size, but certainly large enough to say "big model".

I found Andrew's .40 sized plans to be exceptional in every regard. They were clear, concise, easy to follow, and the plane is well designed. It's strong but not at all heavy. As a result, they'll be the "starting point" for the big one. Bipe Flyer's TilePrint software makes blowing up the original plans ridiculously easy, so that task is already done.

As for some of the vaiours "How will I???"'s of the project, the initial plans are as follows:

40cc BCMA SPE40 engine. Have one of these on my 25% GP Yak-54, and it's a solid motor, light weight, inexpensive, and BCMA provides good service.
Wings will be foam core balsa sheeted, as they are on the little one. LHS already has the templates stored, so cutting the new set should be a simple matter of increasing a few dimensions.
Like the little one before it, everything will be scratch built, from the landing gear up.

I intend (presuming I don't do something stupid and lose the Digicam's memory card again) to document the build thoroughly through pictures, and frequent posts here.

Looking forward to following your build. Sounds like a fun project... maybe my next winter project.

I too am a fan of LeRoy. I was chatting with him last year after an airshow here in MI and found that he is about the most humble down to earth guy you'd want to meet. His comment about flying has stuck with me: "What I do isn't really a big deal - anyone with a little hand/eye coordination can do it just as easily." Uh, sure Jim. The guy is brilliant with an airplane and flying half that good would take some serious talent and effort.

LOL. That sounds like him. And yes, I agree...a very humble, down to earth person.

He made a similar type of comment when i spoke with him, that stuck with me. I said, "Some of the things you do in a full scale plane I can't do RC." He says "Well, RC's harder." I said "Well, ok, I suppose in a full scale plane you can at least feel the orientation of the aircraft, right?" and he says "Yeah...the good thing about scale aerobatics is you can feel what you're doing. Of course, the bad thing about scale aerobatics is that you can feel what you're doing."



In any event, I'm looking forward to the build, and the result. I'll be sure to share plans (with Andrew's permission, of course) and any changes/decisions, etc.

Did a bit of math and geometry today (my old Geo teacher would be SO proud of me...NOT).

Looks like the big one's going to need to come in around 18 lbs to keep the same oz/sq ft wing loading of the little one. Since we're talking about a 77% increase in size of a 6 lb plane, that OUGHT to be doable. Obviously, the numbers don't translate dead on (i.e. I don't expect a 77% increase in size to translate to a 77% increase in weight), I certainly think keeping it within a factor of 3x is doable.

Anyway, that gives me a target weight, and also tells me that the BCMA 40 MIGHT be about the right motor for it...gonna be close, anyway...it's plenty for a 13 lb 3D plane, so it ought to give spirited but not unlimited performance in a 16-18 lb plane.

One nice thing...I don't have to make an engine decision until the entire plane is built, so I can get a good idea of what weight I'll be looking at.

How long are you planning on this project for a "big bulldog" to take? While I am not downplaying your efforts, as I too WAS building a gp pitts BULLDOG until I heard the word Jim is building a new airplane for next season. Jim told me last week @ EAA the aircraft will be ready for ICAS and the plane will be loaded into a trailer on DEC 1 of this year for her first flights. I am waiting to see his NEW airframe before I finish anymore parts on this one I am building. I just would hate to see you go through the effort and then your plane is old stuff. Trust me, I WAS ready to start cutting the graphics on mine. The details on the new bird are very secret, All I know is that the new plane is going to be absolutely sick. A new bigger engine and a rumored $20,000 paint job courtesy of PPG. I hold the poles for his ribbon cut , I got my facts purely from the man himself and the man building the new airplane as well. The new XTEAM demo is pretty good, some kinks to work out but it will get better. I have a few detail shots if you still want to build his current ship. By the way......Sean D tucker MUST be on any groupies list!!! that man combined with jim could knock the socks off any other routine. Anyways good luck with your build!

*heh*

Actually, the project's been 'delayed" somewhat...simply because I've been flying too much (both RC, and beginning work on my PPL) and working WAY too much. About all I've got done is some fuse sides laid up.

As it is, however, I'll finish the build regardless of what Jim's flying next year. While I too can not wait to see what he comes out with, I've still got enough old Model Railroader in me to be perfectly happy with taking a "20xx version of so-and-so's plane" to the field. In fact, the decals and finish on mine are most closely matched to the 02-03 Bulldog, as opposed to the 06 scheme. (with enough photos, you can find some very subtle differences in logos and such)

As for his new one...man. I mean, you HAVE to think it will outperform the old Bulldog...else why would he do it, ya know? Tht possibility just boggles the mind, imo...MORE power than the current Bulldog? Dear Lord, what's he trying to do...visit the moon?

Really looking forward to seeing the new X-team stuff. I was, to be sure, beside myself when Jim lost his two close friends. While, admittedly, I enjoy Jim's routines more than anyone I've ever watched, there were definite "Oh WOW" factors with both Franklin's Jet Waco and Younkin doing aerobatics in things like...a LEAR??? A TWIN BEECH???? To make the loss even more painful, they were both such credits to their profession, both as pilots and as people. I'm glad to know that the spirit of what those 3 did together will be coming back in some form.

In any event...I'll get the big Bulldog built eventually...just probably not going to get focused on it until this fall.

When I talked to the guy building the new plane, he said..."If you remember the movie the mask, thats what jims new plane is going to be like in reference to a stock pitts". I hear the wings will be like the set sean d smashed up in april (wolfpitts) only jims will be 4 aileron fullspan instead of the 8 aileron like sean had. I need to figure out if I want to build a new set of wings or square off the gp wings.

Well, the BPOB (Big Pile Of Balsa) came home today. Hopefully, this weekend, I'll finish getting the rest of the tiled plans taped together and copied at Kinko's, and can start actually building something besides "wood for the fuse sides" *heh*.

How are things coming on the Pitts. What is the wingspan going to be? Give us a little more info. so we can start dreaming.

Wow...been a while, eh?

So...in the 3 months since we last left this thread, numerous things have gone on in my world. Some of them plane related, some not. Short version (since I don't feel like sharing all the details, and there's no sense in boring you with the other ones) is this:

The BPOB mentioned above found its way into other projects or (in response to a rather bizarre incident involving a dog, a beer, some cat litter, and a folding chair...that one I MIGHT share some evening) the trash.

The shop itself has been mostly idle during this time as well. I DID manage to get a 25% PW Extra put together somewhere in all of this (my 25% GP Yak having suffered a sad demise)...but really haven't been able to spend a lot of quality time in the Y Cave.

And finally, it's just been one of those phases where I was overcome by a severe case of inertia with regard to building.

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So...that brings us to today.

Glory be, the planets have aligned, and I find myself with the time, the resources, and the motivation to FINALLY get started on this beast. As a result, a brand new BPOB came home just a bit ago. I even took a picture in celebration!



Call it the "before" picture.

The upcoming holiday week should give me a LARGE amount of time to begin work on the Bulldog. So, hopefully, this thread will start to finally see some action.

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flyrcboy:

Wingspan will be an acurate 1/3 scale of 78". I've blown the original .40 sized plans up to reflect that wingspan, and came out with a 70.5" length, just 1.5" short of true 1/3 scale. I'll PROBABLY do some fudging on the cowl to make up for that, and get to a "correct" 72" length.

Plans are to REALLY obsess over this one, and do it as rigidly scale as my limited abilities will allow. I figure ya only scratch-build a 1/3rd scale bipe once in life (well..I figure I will anyway *heh*) so i might as well really do it right. So I'll be spending a great deal of time and effort on such details as rib and panel lines, full body pilot, accurate instrument panel, etc etc.

So, anywho...

The build can finally actually begin!

A lot off fine building time wishes to you.
I have my maiden this year, here some pics. Yes i am also a fan of Jim Leroy but only from the web i have never see hime for real.

video:

http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...t=DSCN0600.flv









Cesar

[X(][X(]

WOW!

Ceasr, that's a GORGEOUS piece of work. Just truly awesome.



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Went out and got a start this afternoon. Don't have a whole lot of time, since hockey still takes priority over building Did, however, get the two fuse sides cut and rough-shaped, and have glued some 1/4" ply cross-grain (birch for F1, poplar for F3) to make the two 1/2" formers I'll be using at F1 (the firewall) and F3. The sander is providing some weight for that process. Also got the templates cut for formers F1 & F3.

I intended to have a pic of the fuse sides, but my CF card reader just started acting up on me, and I don't have time to fiddle with it at the moment. Will try to post a pic later tonight after I get back from the game.

We are building the 1/3 scale version of the Bulldog (with Jim's blessings). You can follow the build here in RCU in the Kit builder's forum. I am doing the fuselage, and am about to begin to glue parts together. Come on over. By the way, where in Lavergne are you??? Ex Franklin/Hendersonville here.

Bill, AMA 4720
WACO Brotherhood #1

Hey Bill,

Yeah, you'd mentioned that over in "Build vs Assemble" take 294. I haven't been able to find that thread though (I'm probably just blind)...got a link for me?

I'm down JUST north of where Sam Ridley crosses M-boro road. If you're at all familiar with th runways @ MQY, my back yard is just right of the approach threshold to 14. And I mean JUST right of it...as in, my back property line is that row of trees that runs down the right side of 14. it's an awesome place to live...IF you like airplanes.

Just go to Kit builder's forum, and it's in a sticky right at the top. RCU Builders come together to build pitts.

Bill, AMA 4720
WACO Brotherhood #1

The link you're wanting is:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4669019/tm.htm

I'm watching this build.

Thanks, guys.

Now I have to see if I really have a vampire plane...

Well...it appears I don't have a vampire plane...just a REALLY freaky set of coincidences. So...yay...a pic.

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As mentioned above, got the fuse-sides cut, and the 1/2" lams made for F1 and F3 yesterday:

Are you planning on doing full length ailerons or the short outer half ones?

A bit more progress today. Fuse sides are "finished", and I got F1 cut, shaped and sanded. Then got the two fuse sides glued to F1 and clamped, as shown here:



Short outer ailerons, as per the scale Bulldog.

Final update for the day:

Fuse is "framed up", so to speak...F1 is installed, and the tail end is glued together, and sanded to round. F1 shouldn't be going anywhere...Glued into the fuse sides, triangle stock behind it, and then pinned with 3 2" long 1/8" dowels on each side. All glue is Titebond III.


Inside joints of fuse sides to F1:





F1 seen from the front:





End of the fuse...TE stock added in the inside of the fuse here for some rigidity, and a larger gluing surface:





The fuselage as it sits tonight:

Gotta love the joys of a job that lets you work from home 80% of the time. It means MORE BUILDING TIME!

Today saw the beginning of the work to finish framing up the fuse. F2, F4, F5, and F6 were cut, shaped and sanded. F3-A (the instrument panel) was also cut, with a slight change from the original plans to the overall shape of the former, to present enough space for a scale instrument layout. More on that in a minute.

The next task was to start warping the fuse into shape. This is the first place where the experience of having already built the small one REALLy paid off, as I had the necessary resources right at hand, and already had a pretty good plan in place for how I wanted to do this.

The Bulldog (well, the S2S in general) has something of an odd shape. It flares out (fatter) from the firewall back to about the front of the canopy, and then starts tapering to a point at the back. While doing this, it's also changing shape in "the roll axis" if you will, in that, at the front, it's considerably fatter up top than on the bottom, but toward the rear it's the same width top and bottom. All of this results in, as you might imagine, some pretty interesting curves to the fuse sides...curves that, in such a short distance from one former to the next, the balsa is reluctant (at best) to make. So, clearly, some soaking with the liquid of your choice (I use bleach-water myself...works like a charm, and I HATE the smell of ammonia) is in order.

So...the process was basically to soak the fuse, insert various formers as far as they'd comfortably go and then keep the fuse wet (and I mean WET) while waiting a few minutes....after a few minutes, work various formers a bit farther in....shove/wedge/repeat. You have no idea how many different tricks I tried (and fuse sides I went through, and creative curses I came up with) trying to figure out this method on the little one. Thank goodness I had, though, as this one was even TOUGHER to do. Eventually, however, I got all the formers roughly in their assigned positions, and clamped things together to hold the fuse in something resembling its final shape until the wood dried.

Here;'s everything clamped up, waiting to dry:



Once things had dried (well..ok..I admit...a bit BEFORE they had...a mistake I SHAN'T make again as I spent a bit of time repairing some failures due to stressing wet joints/wood) it was time to begin installing formers.

F2 went in first, as it's the "keystone" former ime. If it's square and correctly placed, then the fuse almost can't help but be straight...it "sets the tone", if you will, for the rest of the curves to follow.

Once F2 had dried sufficiently to get unclamped, then F4 went in...and then came back out, because it dawned on me that I can't have F4 there if I want an open, full-body cockpit. F4's sole purpose is to hold the "platform" for a normal bust pilot, and it does not provide any structural integrity to the airframe....which is a shame, really, since the installation of it was pretty clean, even if I do say so myself. Thankfully, I realized my mistake mere minutes after gluing, so it came out easily.

Moving on, I then went ahead and installed F5 and F6 at the rear of the plane. They're clamped up and drying as I type this, as can be seen here:



Those keeping score at home may realize that F3 is not installed yet. Again, experience from the .40 size build dictates my decision here. F3 is the most difficult former to fit into the fuse, so I chose to bring the fuse as close as possible to its final shape with the OTHER formers before installing it. F3 has been "dry fit" a couple times during the process and it looks like this method is going to work well. it'll still be a tight, careful fit, to be sure...but that just means more goodd wood-wood contact. F3 MIGHT go in later this evening...depends on how comfortable I feel unclamping F5 and F6 before bed tonight.

==================================

I mentioned above I had more on the instrument panel. Has anyone reading this done a custom instrument panel before? In other words, bought individual "instruments" and placed them on a panel. Can you reccomend a good source for them? Any tips/tricks you can share?

Not much visible progress to report, really. Formers are all glued in, front turtledeck sheeting is in from F3 up to F1. Yesterday was pretty much a "leave the plane alone for a day" day, as work got in the way (hate it when work does that)

I HAVE, however, ordered a few things. Picked up a 1/3 scale instrument set from JTEC, and just bought a G-62 off E-Bay. Finally decided 'yeah, a smaller motor would fly it...but the G-62 will swing a decent sized 3 blade prop for "scale" appearance and, hey, extra power won't hurt." The Zenoah will, of course, head off to RC Ignitions for Ralph's treatment.

Also spent some time up at the LHS today, doing a little hangar flying, of course. Somewhere in all the tall tales, I was able to toss some ideas around, and I think I'm pretty solid now on how to do the view panel on the bottom of the fuse, and picked up some thoughts on some of the finer details as well.

later today or tomorrow, I'll likely put the fuse aside for a while, and clear off the build table for 2 smaller "projects within the project", the tail feathers and the full open cockpit.

Anyone have a line on 1/3rd scale full body pilot figures by any chance?

Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving.

As for me, I spent almost the entire weekend FLYING, enjoying ~70 degree weather, crystal clear skies, and low winds. The Patty got a real workout (2 gallons of fuel in 4 days...WOOT!) and the Titebond on the Bulldog got plenty of time to cure.

Today will see the first serious attempts at constructing a cockpit for this beast...I've been completely at a loss on how to do this, really. I think, however, at least for this first attempt, I'm going to see if I can't build a "cage" with some dowels, and go from there...

Still wondering if anyone's got an idea for a 1/3rd scale full body pilot...of course, given the lack of commentary in here, I'm wondering if anyone's even reading this thread.