Microlighters

This aeroplane has been around for a while. I have been given the task of fixing it up back to "like new" status. The trip to Namibia to go fetch is a story in itself. But it was a scenic trip! After stripping the old fabric off, the usual stand back, scratch head, and then we got stuck in. Time was not kind to this little aeroplane, Fortunately we find no rust anywhere, just signs of hard work, or much enjoyment.

We decided to tackle the fuselage first. There was a lot of sand and muck inside. (Looked for some diamonds, but found none! ) The frame was in bad shape. A lot of modification was done, and everything was stuck on, or added on with silicone rubber. Must have removed about 5 kilos of the stuff! The fabric was also kind of nervous looking in spots. When this aerie was designed long ago, the prototype flew with a Continental A65, and it flew fine. This aeroplane went through a sucsession of owners, and it flew with a Gypsey major engine, 120HP, and God knows what else, but eventually found it`s way here with a Lyc 0320, 160HP installed. If it fits under the cowling, it is too small. A decision was made to go for a smaller, lighter engine.... al lot smaller. Continental 0200 going in. The owner says he never took off with full power. Too dangerous.

While we were busy, we decided to put the biplane on a diet, so some of the "Blacksmith stuff" has been removed!

This thread was started rather late, so I will update to where we stand with this rebuild now.

Some other new stuff. As the turtle deck stringers were made of 25 x 25 x3mm alu angle, we remade everything out of wood. Now much lighter, and it now have a nice cubby-hole in the back for some small stuff.

Some more progress, this is where we started on Monday.











And when I left my shop this afternoon!

And some more....

Hallo,Boet!Wat se maak is die bi-plane?Dit lyk amper soos n Hatz.

Dis n EAA biplane. Ontwerp deur Paul Poberezny stigter van die EAA beweging. Die konstruksie is eenvoudig maar BAIE sterk!

Wow Boet!! Stunning.

Yes Boeet

Really AWSOME

There is one @ krugersdorp that bounced and i can say they are DAMN strong.

So bietjie van Henry Ford se aanhaling gebruik: 'n Bi-plane kan enige kleur wees, solank dit geel is.

Lyk bleddie nice, Boet.

Baie mooi Boet,..........maar se vir ons.....WAAR is daai maskertjie wanneer jy spray-paint Ons wil darem nie he jy moet nou al n long-aandoening kry nie
Groete
Jean.

Staan en spray daai klein ruddertjie reg voor n STERK extractor fan. Ek sien nie eers n stoffie nie, en ruik dit nie eers nie. As ek groot stukke spray, lyk ek soos Darth Vader.

Got some more work done today. And I hammered out that pesky little mounting bracket for the windscreen.

Geel en pragtig Boet jy weet mos hoe voel ek oor geel, maar so'n dubbel curvature en dit met 'n hamertjie is baie sexy ware vakmanskap.

Cheers Oupa-G