P-47 in the Tree
06-16-2006 | 04:56 PM
#1
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From: Morriston,
FL
P-47 in the Tree
After 35 years of flying I finally figured out how to put one in the tree on final, I have put them in inverted, looping, rolling, knife edge,spinning but until today never in a tree. The tree was about 35' tall and too small to climb ( as if I was going to climb) I had to rent a basket lift to the tune of $125.00 to retrive what was left (need that radio gear and motor for the next one) The H9 P-47 was a fine a/c, it flew well I did enjoy it for many hours (about 20 gallons of fuel) but all a/c die a violent death. Has any one else had any major brain farts like this one.
06-16-2006 | 05:42 PM
#3
Senior Member
RE: P-47 in the Tree
I got one comparable to that. Background: I've been flying Dr.1s for about 8 years.
A couple months ago, I was flying my (second) Dr.1 at my club field. On the first takeoff, it was rolling really straight and smooth, nice takeoff roll. So I decided to let it roll for a while. [8D] About halfway down the runway, it hit a clump of grass and nosed over, breaking my scale-detailed $15 prop. (Ok, losing a $15 prop isn't bad.) I replaced it with my new, scale-detailed prop that I had just picked up at a swap shop for $5 (great deal!).
Now for my mistake.
On my second takeoff roll, I remembered what happened on the first one...and had a SEVERE case of dumb-thumbs...or as my wife calls it, made a very newbie move (read stupid). After letting the plane run about 20 feet, I pulled full-up elevator to prevent another nose-over. Yep, 20 feet...and a Dr.1 just ain't ready to fly in 20 feet. About 5 feet up, the wings said, "Forget this" and it didn't fly anymore. It was a beautiful example of tip-stall. It made a HARD left turn and headed for the newly installed safety fence. I managed to level the wings just as it made a 3-point landing (prop hub/4x4 safety fence post/ground). CRUNCH! 
Damage assessment to date:
Lower and middle wings broken on both sides
Cockpit and machine guns damaged
Firewall torn out
Lower front fuse crunched
Landing gear broken
ANOTHER BROKEN PROP [>:]
However, it IS repairable and repairs are in progress. My wife said she's not typing my next comment because it's really moronic.
Dr.1
A couple months ago, I was flying my (second) Dr.1 at my club field. On the first takeoff, it was rolling really straight and smooth, nice takeoff roll. So I decided to let it roll for a while. [8D] About halfway down the runway, it hit a clump of grass and nosed over, breaking my scale-detailed $15 prop. (Ok, losing a $15 prop isn't bad.) I replaced it with my new, scale-detailed prop that I had just picked up at a swap shop for $5 (great deal!).
Now for my mistake.
On my second takeoff roll, I remembered what happened on the first one...and had a SEVERE case of dumb-thumbs...or as my wife calls it, made a very newbie move (read stupid). After letting the plane run about 20 feet, I pulled full-up elevator to prevent another nose-over. Yep, 20 feet...and a Dr.1 just ain't ready to fly in 20 feet. About 5 feet up, the wings said, "Forget this" and it didn't fly anymore. It was a beautiful example of tip-stall. It made a HARD left turn and headed for the newly installed safety fence. I managed to level the wings just as it made a 3-point landing (prop hub/4x4 safety fence post/ground). CRUNCH! Damage assessment to date:
Lower and middle wings broken on both sides
Cockpit and machine guns damaged
Firewall torn out
Lower front fuse crunched
Landing gear broken
ANOTHER BROKEN PROP [>:]
However, it IS repairable and repairs are in progress. My wife said she's not typing my next comment because it's really moronic.
Dr.1
