F4U-4B or F4U-1C

[Windle]

It will definately take someone a bit more adept than Joe Homebuilder to tool up for this project.   So far I've run across numerous engineering groups that specialize in scratch building reduction units for inline engines, but few who have experience doing the same for radials.  I believe that the M-14P's existing reduction unit can be used with modified gearing - this has already been done to a certain extent in the past by the factory.  There are a few different versions of the M-14P, all of which have varying reduction gear and blower gear ratios to compensate for horsepower differences. These differences run from 260 to 450 horsepower.  OTOH compensating for 800+ hp might necessitate a complete refabrication.  So far most of my radial contacts deal with the large P&W & Wright's only.  No doubt the expertise is out there, I simply haven't crossed that bridge yet.  The true depth of the concept won't begin to unfold until I arrange to have preliminary drafts drawn up.  That's the point when I'll realize the project is going to break me.  

In regards to the oiling system, I said inverted oiling system. What I meant was the oil filtering system. The stock system is not very high quality, and there's no way to put on an inline filter because the oil pump is internal.  The only lines available to filter incoming oil are suction lines.  When it comes to such things I'd be pretty much clueless on where to begin fabricating a remedy. I'm hoping the necessary reengineering involved would offer an opportunity to solve the problem.

This no doubt will take years to complete so don't expect anything too soon.   I'm looking at 2 years right now before I can even think of getting serious about the project.  Hopefully I will have the engineering end of it on paper well before that time though.  My medium term goals right now revolve around getting a proof-of-concept design on paper and bringing the project right up to the point where fabrication can begin.  That's the magic moment where $ will really come into play, and where I will have to seriously rearrange my life to make room enough to see it through to completion.

Without my current priorities I'd be on it tomorrow morning.  

 

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~Lt. Jg. Windle~

VF-17 The Jolly Rogers 8X
      Skychrgr@aol.com    

[Minotaur]

Falling gracefully to earth below my silken carriage, my feet touch ground, I awake to see this in my garage....

 http://www.vansaircraft.com/public/rv-6int.htm

Mino

[Windle]

Heya Minotaur I took a demo ride in the RV-6 at Oshkosh last July.  I gotta tell ya it's one responsive little plane!  Me and my father have been discussing him building one for some time now.  My demo pilot let me do some mild aerobatic moves and the stick just feels great in that plane.  My father flew the RV-6A but felt the instrument panel was a bit close to the pilots eyes for his taste (he's hard to please).    I felt like the quick controls might be a handfull on a cross country,  but no doubt with a little getting used to it wouldn't be a big factor.  

The RV-8 is what really got my blood pumping!  It's basically an RV-6 with tandem seating so the throtle & stick are in the proper hands.    It's a beautiful aircraft with GREAT visibility - very similar to what you'd expect in a P-51.  Make sure you give the RV-8 a look before you decide.  IMO opinion both are very attractive and realistic aircraft to consider owning.  

Glad to see someone else has a fancy for kitplanes. There's so many great ones out there it's hard for me to decide which I favor the most.  I suppose if I had unlimited resources and was looking for a GA style aircraft I'd look into the 'Turbine Legend'.  I also have a Rotorway Exec Fettish.  

   

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~Lt. Jg. Windle~

VF-17 The Jolly Rogers 8X
      Skychrgr@aol.com    

[Minotaur]

Windle;

Ah someday!      My kids are going to hate their inheritance.

Currently my Dad is building a wing rib jig for some kind of WW1 WV powered highwing strut spruce fabric bicycle wheel Ugly.      Building the plane for a buddy ($pelled $).

He loves that wood stuff, I want my aluminium baby.

Mino

[This message has been edited by Minotaur (edited 12-01-1999).]

[Windle]

Sounds like he's building a Pietenpol.  My father had a flying buddy that wanted to build one of those years ago but he never made the investment.  

Best of luck to ya in getting what you want in the near future.   You definately picked a great airplane!

 

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~Lt. Jg. Windle~

VF-17 The Jolly Rogers 8X
       Skychrgr@aol.com      



[This message has been edited by Windle (edited 12-01-1999).]