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Old 07-28-2019, 02:32 PM   #21
woofa.express
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Default Re: Take a gander at this.

A thankyou to both Dirtrack and Gary for your encouragement to continue flying. I have done 51 years of cropspraying and other associated agricultural jobs and I feel I'd like to quit. I've seen several crop pilots crash in their older age simply because they didn't know when to retire. Yes I still enjoy was is a fairly demanding job and I get pleasure in passing my knowledge onto the younger generation. I taught my sons to fly and they are now senior captains in airlines with names you all know and my grandson who is a trainee in the military. I have contributed to the skill of others. I will renew my licence only to teach my granddaughter Amelia. you know where that name comes from don't you. She would be the 7th in my family to fly.
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Old 07-28-2019, 06:02 PM   #22
Chuck Sea/Tac
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Talking Re: Take a gander at this.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dirtrack49 View Post
Most guys put Continental A65, A75, or C85 engines in these aircraft. However, there are several with Corvair engines and just about anything else you can think of. I happen to have a Franklin 90hp that may end up in mine.
I live in the mountains and the density of altitude can be pretty scary in the summer. The more power the better.
Here's another pic of an A engine installation.
Tom L.
What years is the Franklin, how many cylinders, and how much does it weigh?
At least you won’t have a radiator in your way!
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Old 07-28-2019, 08:26 PM   #23
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Default Re: Take a gander at this.

Chuck, I am thinking the Franklin is from the 40's. Most likely late 40's when the aircraft boom came after WWII. The log book entries I have on this boat anchor, show 1952. It might be the second log book or who knows. The books show that it was overhauled in 1964 with currently 60 some hours since major overhaul. Sounds a little scary, however, my buddy who is in his late 80's tells me to throw a somewhat balanced 2x4 on the prop hub and see if it will kick to life!
Here is another pic of a Piet. And yes, a 1917 Curtis Pusher. Seeing that Pusher come in at Santa Monica Airport circa 1974, with the 93 year old pilot, was by far the best experience in a long aviation background. I looked at my log books, and I was there at that time renewing my Flight Instructor Certificate at the old GADO office. Funny thing, the examiner, refused to go out in the aircraft I brought, a 1943 Aeronca L-3. Told me he was not about to get in something that old! Good thing is, he still renewed my certificate.
Tom L.
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File Type: jpg 1917 Curtis Pusher.jpg (44.1 KB, 96 views)
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Old 07-28-2019, 08:27 PM   #24
Dean Lemoine
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Default Re: Take a gander at this.

Take a close look at Woofa's picture. It actually has 2 plugs per cylinder. One mag replaced original distributor and the 2nd mag is driven by the crank on what was the front (now back) of the engine. I saw it at Oshkosh last week.
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Old 07-28-2019, 08:42 PM   #25
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Default Re: Take a gander at this.

Dean, you have it right! Interesting observation.
A lot of guys on experimental aircraft these days, like my RV4, use one mag and one auto electronic ignition on the other set of plugs. They claim that the engine runs more efficient and you still have the redundancy.
Chuck, the 90 hp Franklin is a 4 cylinder flat opposed engine like the Continentals and Lycomings of the same era. Probably weights....I don't know off hand. Maybe 230 lbs. if I were to guess.
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Old 07-29-2019, 11:29 PM   #26
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Default Re: Take a gander at this.

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That is such a wild aircraft.

I found a video of one in flight here.

Thanks for sharing.
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Old 06-03-2020, 01:24 PM   #27
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Default Re: Take a gander at this.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dirtrack49 View Post
That airplane is a Pietenpol Air Camper. Was one of the early home built experimental aircraft circa 1932. Bernard Pietenpol, the original creator of this design, first had a single place model circa 1929 that used a Model T engine.
These aircraft have been built from plans and still are today, ever since Pietenpol started selling the plans way back when.
Most of these aircraft run more modern 4 cylinder opposed light aircraft engines. But the purist, prefer the original Model A engine with a high compression head. The radiator is positioned out of neccesity and is the original setup. Makes for a very warm ride in the summer!
Below is a pic of my Grega GN1 which is a modification of the same aircraft. I will probably go with an engine from a 1940's light aircraft vs. the Model A engine.
On the other side of my hangar is a pic of my 1946 J3 Cub and my Van's RV4.
Not only addicted to cars, I like airplanes too!
My wife tells me it would be easier to collect motorcycles. Please don't get me started.
Tom L.
Hi Tom. It was nearly a year ago that you spoke about your part built Grega. How's it going. I have owned many aeroplanes, the Bonanza my favourite. The turbine Airtractor my favourite ag plane. I did like the radial AgCat as well.
I now have none and when my licence expires in few months I shan't renew it. I've done enough. However if I was to buy an aeroplane again it would be an RV, probably the 9. They are delightful. I mention this because I see you have one. My Cub was okay but probably the best pilot trainer there is. I see you have one too. Your wife says it would be easier to collect motorbikes. My wife says Model A's are expensive but more affordable than aeroplanes.
Do get back with a details and perhaps a photo of your Grega. cheers, gary
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Old 06-03-2020, 01:31 PM   #28
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Default Re: Take a gander at this.

That's not a radiator, that's the screen for the inflight movie.
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Old 06-03-2020, 01:41 PM   #29
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Default Re: Take a gander at this.

But seriously, was that really the best place to mount the radiator? Does not make sense.
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Old 06-03-2020, 04:18 PM   #30
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Default Re: Take a gander at this.

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Originally Posted by old31 View Post
But seriously, was that really the best place to mount the radiator? Does not make sense.
Also, what is the reason the engine was mounted backwards? It seems like the radiator would be less obtrusive if mounted in front and provide better air flow.

David Serrano
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Old 06-03-2020, 10:44 PM   #31
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Default Re: Take a gander at this.

Quote:
Originally Posted by flatford39 View Post
Love to see more pics of the engine area. There doesn't seem to be a fan so is there an auxiliary pump. Also the exhaust is intriguing. Why does number 4 only appear to have a muffler.
Here are some pics from a few years back taken at the Brodhead WI Airport

I worry about keeping my A running on the ground....LOL

ENJOY
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Pit Plane 0001.jpg (58.2 KB, 84 views)
File Type: jpg Pit Plane 002.jpg (61.6 KB, 78 views)
File Type: jpg Pit Plane 003.jpg (45.3 KB, 77 views)
File Type: jpg Pit Plane 004.jpg (73.2 KB, 75 views)
File Type: jpg Pit Plane 005.jpg (28.1 KB, 73 views)
File Type: jpg Pit Plane 006.jpg (34.6 KB, 63 views)
File Type: jpg Pit Plane 007.jpg (55.1 KB, 65 views)
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Old 06-04-2020, 08:05 AM   #32
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Default Re: Take a gander at this.

Those old planes are def. cool! However I think you guys are crazy to fly them, LOL. I never had the flying bug, my son does and I keep telling him to take lessons so he wont regret not doing so later in life. Pop was always keen on flying (I guess thats where my son gets it), as his older brother (my uncle) was a flyer during the war and later a commercial pilot. I suppose that had a big influence on him. My brother and myself had an antique motorcycle collection at one time of about 30 bikes. They packed tightly into a 2 car garage. One of the comments we would make was that it is so much easier to house M/C's than cars!
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Old 06-04-2020, 08:13 AM   #33
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Default Re: Take a gander at this.

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Originally Posted by California Travieso View Post
Also, what is the reason the engine was mounted backwards? It seems like the radiator would be less obtrusive if mounted in front and provide better air flow.

David Serrano
You don’t want to drive the prop off the front pulley.
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Old 06-04-2020, 10:45 AM   #34
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Default Re: Take a gander at this.

Years ago a friend had a snowplane w/a Model A engine and prop at the back.
Something like this one:
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Old 06-04-2020, 12:27 PM   #35
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Default Re: Take a gander at this.

A few years back - I saw A Pieten-pole being built....as it ended up, a pilot friend bought it and finished building it. In a few test flights some how he lost engine fuel and had a forced landing. He, my pilot friend told me the Pietenpole used the Ford Model B engine most of the time and of which is what he had.
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Old 06-04-2020, 04:56 PM   #36
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Default Re: Take a gander at this.

Quote:
Originally Posted by flatford39 View Post
Love to see more pics of the engine area. There doesn't seem to be a fan so is there an auxiliary pump. Also the exhaust is intriguing. Why does number 4 only appear to have a muffler.
That is not a muffler, it is heat for the carburetor to keep it from frosting up.
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Old 06-04-2020, 05:22 PM   #37
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Default Re: Take a gander at this.

There was an article in the Secrets of Speed a while back showing one with engine
up side down but no one could tell anything about the oil dropping into the pistons.
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Old 06-04-2020, 08:22 PM   #38
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Default Re: Take a gander at this.

Quote:
Originally Posted by flatford39 View Post
Love to see more pics of the engine area. There doesn't seem to be a fan so is there an auxiliary pump. Also the exhaust is intriguing. Why does number 4 only appear to have a muffler.

No fan??? Well then, what is that thing right there on the front of the aircraft?
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Old 06-05-2020, 10:39 AM   #39
woofa.express
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Default Re: Take a gander at this.

Quote:
Originally Posted by katy View Post
Years ago a friend had a snowplane w/a Model A engine and prop at the back.
Something like this one:
Hi Katy.
Pusher Propellers.

During my training as pilot I was always told pusher props (rear mounted) are more efficient that tractor props (forward mounted). I have never had the opportunity to fly a pusher and form an opinion for myself.

There is only 1 aeroplane manufactured today that is pusher, the Italian Piaggio. It’s very slick and has a small wing forward of the cockpit. It’s not selling well. The popular American manufacturer Beech also made one but pulled its production. It was too radical, too ahead of its time, too expensive to operate and it was a mechanics nightmare to really become a successful product to market.
The last picture is of a German short landing aeroplane. One of the difficulties for the pilot was to extract himself after releasing his seat belt.

Rutan, the man who designed the around the world without a gas stop designed a home built. The veriezi range.
A WW1 aeroplane was a pusher so as the gunner could fire away without shooting the prop off.
Of course one of the most well-known and successful aeroplanes first flew in 1903 at Kittyhawk, South Carolina.

I checked on the web and many have been designed, some built. Twin tail booms found on many tractor props add complexity and cost to the design.
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File Type: jpg avanti_64421.jpg (27.4 KB, 14 views)
File Type: jpg hqdefault.jpg (21.3 KB, 13 views)
File Type: jpeg images.jpeg (5.5 KB, 12 views)
File Type: jpg 600px-Otto-C.I.jpg (88.4 KB, 19 views)
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Old 06-05-2020, 10:57 AM   #40
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Default Re: Take a gander at this.

Let's not forget the Cessna Skymaster, aka the push me pull me:
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