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henry.voris
Joined: 02 Mar 2007
Posts: 116
Location: Pueo Field, Kula, Maui
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 Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2011 1:40 pm Post subject: Single Liftstrut for FireFly... message for undoctor |
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14sep11
Dave,
Congratulations on getting the FlagFly off the wall. As was stated... Because of your solid storage procedures, you made you own luck.
I have an interest in converting my FireFly (Five-Charlie_Bravo) to a single liftstrut like the FlagFly.
I believe I recall a post to the List when the FlagFly was converted, but am unable to locate it in the archives.
Any help would be appreciated...
Aloha,
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Henry
Firefly Five-Charlie-Bravo
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Don G
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 156
Location: Central Illinois
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| Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 1:58 pm Post subject: Re: Single Liftstrut for FireFly... message for undoctor |
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Henry,
I am afraid about all I can offer is these photos, as the details of the strut mod has escaped my memory. I cant believe it has been almost 9 years since I began that firefly..Oct 2002...whew! I can tell you I remember discussing it with Dennis Souder to get any tips, and what it might do to the performance. Also his verification that the reason the firefly had the 2 strut design was to increase drag..to help get past the FAA's requirements and meet part 103 according to some formula they use. Anyway..it made a huge difference in speed. After consulting with Dennis..I realized what potential that craft has, and I decided to enclose the rear cage also..and undertake various other drag reduction mods an so on..it raised the top speed of that craft so much no one would believe it , so I didnt brag on it much for fear of the disbelief it would bring anyway.
I will mention this, should you proceed with this project, it is very critical to get the airframe in the "in flight attitude" and align the struts with the airflow/airstream..NOT the airframe...for maximum relief from drag. if you dont, those streamline struts will act like flaps...which they do BTW in slow speed nose up attitudes.
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Don G.
Central Illinois
Kitfox IV Speedster
Luscombe 8A
RV9A
Last edited by Don G on Thu Sep 15, 2011 2:27 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Don G
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 156
Location: Central Illinois
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| Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 2:26 pm Post subject: Re: Single Liftstrut for FireFly... message for undoctor |
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Henry, I looked back in the archives just now..didnt spend too much time there but I did find this..relating to Dennis Souder and my conversation about the Firefly..not alot of details bu it will give you a date to narrow down the search..which was march of 05.
Unfortunately my builders site was at Geocities..and as most know they are defunct..I have most of the photos on discs I think...somewhere....
(Copied from archives)
Don,
What can I say ... very impressive design changes and craftsmanship!
Actually, not to worry, Dennis doesn't cringe over such things. Things that
have caused Dennis to cringe have been things like a VW installed in a Kolb
Flyer. Yes that's right - not a Soob in an UltraStar (although that does
carry some cringe factor too) - but a Flyer. Luckily I talked him about of
the VW, but lo and behold next time I visited he had 4 Chrysler West Bend
engines installed. Just had to have 4 cylinders, it would seem.
Reminiscent of that game wack-a-mole ... kept bopping away at the cylinders
and they would just pop up elsewhere else! Listening to Aubrey Radford talk
about his flying at SNF caused me to cringe, to say nothing about hearing
about what happened later. Oh yea, watching that old Kolb video with the
aerobatics causes me to cringe too.
The FireFly was just an original FireStar attacked by a huge pair of snips.
Homer's turn to cringe! Engine was too tough to cut, so we kept that
intact.
Thanks for the FF tour!
Dennis
----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Gherardini" <donghe>
Subject: Kolb-List: FireFly Update and Mods..
>
> Well everyone.....I have updated my Website a little..to reflect the mods
> that are taking place.
> Here is a link to page 14...the enclosure page..showing the method I used
to
> enclose the upper rear half of the cage..and the 10 gallon Challenger tank
> is installed on page 15. The single strut mod is on a page labled strut
mods
> . Menu is on the bottom of each page.
> ...My apoligies to Dennis Souder who's work on designing this bird still
has
> not been equaled in this industry. It probably makes Dennis cringe when he
> sees a great airplane like the FireFly all messed up like this..If I
> designed this airplane..it probably would make me feel that away!...So
> Dennis..you better not look at these pages pard. You have been awfully
> helpful, cordial and respectful to me..and I think you designed the best
> ultralight in the industry!...and...I believe it still is even after
several
> years! Hard to believe no body has done it since.
> here is a link to page 14
> http://www.geocities.com/dagger369th/enclosure.htm
> Don G
>
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_________________
Don G.
Central Illinois
Kitfox IV Speedster
Luscombe 8A
RV9A |
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henry.voris
Joined: 02 Mar 2007
Posts: 116
Location: Pueo Field, Kula, Maui
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| Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 11:31 am Post subject: Re: Single Liftstrut for FireFly... message for undoctor |
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16sep11
Don,
Thanks for the information and photos... You did a beautiful job on those struts.
Too bad about Geocities expiring... I recall going there to read your posting.
I am assuming that the aerodynamic struts are aluminum and the steel is 4130...
I was able to find some other postings on the subject in the archives. But your photos are the best.
Haven't welding long, so I'm not sure I'll trust liftstruts (somewhat flight critical) to my hand...
I do understand your comment about "align the struts with the airflow/airstream...".
Thanks again...
Attached is a photo from a recent flight...
Pali at Waiamanalo.jpg… Oahu. At 1380 ft., with a road up the backside to the summit, and facing directly into the trade winds this pali is a favorite stepping off point for hang-gliders. A fish pond can be seen on the beach. The urban sprawl beyond is Hawaii Kai on the south side of the island. The cinder cone is Koko Crater.
Aloha,
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Henry
Firefly Five-Charlie-Bravo
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Don G
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 156
Location: Central Illinois
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| Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 10:06 am Post subject: Re: Single Liftstrut for FireFly... message for undoctor |
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HOLY COW HENRY!,,, that photo is one of the most fabulous I have ever seen...what a shot!
And yes..the streamline tubing is alum from wicks, Cant remember what size..same as used on a CGS hawk tho, I remember that being a deciding factor for sizing it...(ask Kulpski to measure it)..and the steel is 4130 chrome-moly.
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_________________
Don G.
Central Illinois
Kitfox IV Speedster
Luscombe 8A
RV9A |
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