21 December 2011
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The summer has arrived and the weather for gliding has commenced with a bang. Some of the build team have enjoyed some good flying at Ararat and Benalla.I was able to crack a couple of good days also. Summer means school holidays and my free time has greatly diminished.
Still we have managed some progress. Here is what we have been able to sort out.
The radiator mount position has been an interesting subject for some time. We decided to move it aft and attach to the main landing gear centre support struts.
Oles unique landing gear design means that these steel tubes will not move. We used 2 Stauff clamps to secure the radiator in position on these tubes.
This new aft position will also aid airflow efficiency into the radiator by being away from propeller pulses.
Without the need to incorporate the radiator, the engine cowling is now simpler to fabricate.
The engine cowling can be made more streamlined and the radiator will have a separate cowl around it.
Another advantage is the weight of the radiator is now closer to the centre of gravity than previously proposed position just behind the propeller.
With the radiator mounted vertically it does add to the drag but it is the most efficient for cooling.
As a high cruise speed is not a major requirement for our Hornet, it will aid the descent profile once the glider has released.
On the down side is the need to re work our exhaust system to fit the new radiator position ..Bugger.
Another item which has needed our attention has been tail wheel support arm.
When we had the Hornet assembled back in August and tried moving it around by hand, we found it difficult.
This was because the bearing plate for the tail wheel was at an angle tilting back. We were fighting an inclined plane.
Ole suggested that we heat the arm and bend to the required angle as per the Alaskan Bush tail wheel installation instructions.
We were able to do this and it should help a lot to reduce the tail wheel steering loads.
Other items that have been completed include both seats are now upholstered. They look great.
All the tailplane fairings are completed including the dorsal fin. The end cap fairings for the elevator and horizontal tailplane are also completed.
Peter managed to design and fabricate some brackets for the coolant header tank installation making it the high point in the coolant system.
Currently we finalising the trim cable installation. Ensuring we have correct trim travel and full free movement during elevator travel is a requirement.
All for now.
Regards Jack
- Man hours to date:
- 855 hrs
