Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Golfer on October 08, 2008, 11:44:34 PM

Title: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: Golfer on October 08, 2008, 11:44:34 PM
I'm still in the research phase but I currently have intentions to convert a lot of money into one of these:

(http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff345/martinguitarist/GolfersMustang.jpg)
(http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff345/martinguitarist/GolfersMustang2.jpg)

I've got some calls out and intend to see a few kits currently undergoing construction to get a feel for what I'll be getting into.  I'm going to have this thread locked in a few years when I punt it to hopefully talk about successfully completing the required flight tests!

Long story short:

2500lb MGTOW
475hp
+6/-4 G's
Title: Re: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: avionix on October 09, 2008, 05:15:30 AM
Sweet!!!!    :aok  What scale is it?
Title: Re: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: Scherf on October 09, 2008, 06:07:29 AM
Want.
Title: Re: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: Golfer on October 09, 2008, 09:44:00 AM
70%

It's a composite airplane but I'm not sold on the PSRU/Gearbox that slows down the propeller RPM from the fairly high engine RPM just yet.  I've flown geared engines in the Focke Wulf P-149D and C-421 and they were very very smooth great flying airplanes.  I'll need some more success stories and lots of proven flight hours on the gearbox before I'm completely sold on it.  That said it's one of the most "to scale" scale Mustangs I'd seen so far.

It's also a welcome substitute to an RV-8 which was my original prospect.  Why paint an RV-8 like a Mustang when you can have a Mustang :)

Oddly enough the real "Bald Eagle" lives in the hangar next door.  There's also currently a scratch built (not even the Data Plate will be original) P-51 underway in the same hangar.  If they figure out how to produce them in any reliable manner there will be honest zero time P-51s hitting the market in the years to come.  It won't change the fact that outside of winning the lottery I don't play that I likely won't ever afford a real one.


Real:
(http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff345/martinguitarist/baldeagle.jpg)

Replica:
(http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff345/martinguitarist/GolfersMustang4.jpg)
Title: Re: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: SIK1 on October 09, 2008, 10:43:50 AM
Very cool.  :cool:

What engine does it use?
Title: Re: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: Golfer on October 09, 2008, 10:49:21 AM
LS2 or LS7 engine that the Corvette uses.

400-475hp, supercharging optional which isn't something I'll be opting for being on the east coast.  Hot/High conditions aren't issues out here.  One of the guys in my flight department is a huge corvette nut/owner and I have all the engine support I could ever wish for.  He has friends in his club with run stands and have forgotten more knowledge about these engines than I'll ever know.

I just need to be convinced of the PSRM (Gearbox) and its reliability.
Title: Re: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: Wolfala on October 09, 2008, 10:56:12 AM
You tried to find any Thunder Mustangs up for sale?
Title: Re: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: Golfer on October 09, 2008, 10:57:31 AM
Not in my price range.
Title: Re: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: MiloMorai on October 09, 2008, 11:00:16 AM
A Spitfire Mk26 and Mk26b would be nicer. ;) ;) :D
Title: Re: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: Wolfala on October 09, 2008, 11:01:44 AM
Not in my price range.

What is your range? I'm digging around in Lancair 360 and Legacy's for the cross country capability.
Title: Re: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: Golfer on October 09, 2008, 11:25:15 AM
Finished Thunder Mustangs are 500k per copy in the bargain basement and up.  That's decidedly not my price range.  Even the kits last I looked were in the mid 200's which is still north of what I want to pay.  I might as well go buy a T-6 and kill myself on upkeep.

I'm interested in making the round trip from Philly to Columbus in 4 hours (or less).  Sure beats an 8 hour drive each way!  The airplane actually would use less fuel than my truck as well.  Talk about tripping over a lot of dollars to save a few dimes.

Not to mention that when I get to where I'm going I got there in a fair representation of a Mustang  :D

If money was not an object I'd have a real one.  If money was a slight object I'd have a Thunder Mustang.  Since money is an object this one will have to do  :)
Title: Re: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: CAP1 on October 09, 2008, 11:30:13 AM
which kit is that one/"? it's a beauty.

i don't know if you've already seen this one or not?

http://www.legendaryaircraft.com/mustangkit.html

good luck dude
<<S>>
Title: Re: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: avionix on October 09, 2008, 11:30:32 AM
If money was not an object I'd have a real one.  If money was a slight object I'd have a Thunder Mustang.  Since money is an object this one will have to do  :)

Ain't that the truth.

Whenever you guys are ready for avionics, let me know.  I work for an outfit and I will get you the AHII discount.  May not be much, but will do my best.  Just PM me.
Title: Re: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: CAP1 on October 09, 2008, 11:33:10 AM
Finished Thunder Mustangs are 500k per copy in the bargain basement and up.  That's decidedly not my price range.  Even the kits last I looked were in the mid 200's which is still north of what I want to pay.  I might as well go buy a T-6 and kill myself on upkeep.

I'm interested in making the round trip from Philly to Columbus in 4 hours (or less).  Sure beats an 8 hour drive each way!  The airplane actually would use less fuel than my truck as well.  Talk about tripping over a lot of dollars to save a few dimes.

Not to mention that when I get to where I'm going I got there in a fair representation of a Mustang  :D

If money was not an object I'd have a real one.  If money was a slight object I'd have a Thunder Mustang.  Since money is an object this one will have to do  :)

the only 2 sites i've seen, are thundermustang, and legendar aircraft.
 legendayr aircraft claims that you can be up and flying in a very nicely equipped pony for 150k?
Title: Re: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: Golfer on October 09, 2008, 11:35:23 AM
That looks an awful lot like a statement but yet it has a question mark at the end.

What are you saying/asking?

The airplane I pictured is a predecessor to Legendary Aircraft.  The kit has gone through some changes but originally was marketed by Fighter Escort Wings (I think that information is on their website as well)

There are a few kits on the market and if the economy keeps doing what its doing there might be a few more out there soon.  So yep...I've heard of them :)
Title: Re: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: CAP1 on October 09, 2008, 11:43:27 AM
That looks an awful lot like a statement but yet it has a question mark at the end.

What are you saying/asking?

tossing the question mark in there is kind of my way of saying i think.......but here....i just copied this from their FAQ page.

Q. How much does the completed aircraft really going to cost?

A. The total cost of finishing a Legendary Mustang depends heavily upon engine choices and avionics. A Mustang can be up and flying for as little as $100,000 with a modest power plant and spartan set of avionics, or as much as $150,000 for a real fire breathing firewall forward package and a high quality, VFR panel.
Title: Re: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: Golfer on October 09, 2008, 11:48:33 AM
Go back and read my edit.  That's what it is.
Title: Re: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: Hawker25 on October 09, 2008, 11:58:00 AM
looks like it will be tons of fun golfer.  There used to be a guy at my airport that had one of those just like the one you are looking at.  I wish he was still there cause i really would have liked to take a ride in it.  He gave rides to the regulars at the airport for the price of fuel for it.  I am sad i missed out.  There used to be a company that made P38's in the same scale but i think they have since closed up shop.  Congrats and am looking forward to seeing pics of it once you are done.
Title: Re: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: CAP1 on October 09, 2008, 11:59:26 AM
Go back and read my edit.  That's what it is.

i'm glad i just saw this post. i scrolled down, and saw the one i quoted, and read the extra.....and i was sititng here thinking.......how the he#$ didn't i see that before??? :rofl :rofl :rofl
Title: Re: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: Wolfala on October 09, 2008, 12:10:30 PM
Ain't that the truth.

Whenever you guys are ready for avionics, let me know.  I work for an outfit and I will get you the AHII discount.  May not be much, but will do my best.  Just PM me.

You do an Aspen install if I wanna toejam can all the radios in a L360 and put a Garmin stack in?
Title: Re: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: Baitman on October 09, 2008, 12:12:20 PM
Golfer

Hope you have done your numbers correctly. My Dad and I have built two airplanes and if I figured the $ for the labor and the extras one doesn't think about when planning you could buy and fly now without waiting. I understand the (labor of love) in building ones own aircraft. We have found that it is very easy to justify the better things that you would like in the aircraft then found out in the end that you have a very nice plane but it has cost a pile more that expected.

My wife will only allow me to have one aircraft but I figure if my Dad and I go together we can have 1 each :rofl

I can't justify having a single place (to many kids) but we did go for a Murphy Rebel that we hope to have flying this winter and on floats next winter.  :salute

PS with the PSRU doing your own homework is best. You can ask what bearings they use then go to manufacture and get the ratings. With gear PSRU do regular oil analysis and a belt PSRU change it regularly.
Title: Re: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: Baitman on October 09, 2008, 12:27:00 PM

It's a composite airplane but I'm not sold on the PSRU/Gearbox that slows down the propeller RPM from the fairly high engine RPM just yet.  I've flown geared engines in the Focke Wulf P-149D and C-421 and they were very very smooth great flying airplanes.  I'll need some more success stories and lots of proven flight hours on the gearbox before I'm completely sold on it. 

You fly the Lear so I am sure that you have flown behind more PSRU than that. Think of all the turboprop aircraft you have flown, everyone of them has a PSRU.

There are a few good ones out there but do your homework. and live the dream. :salute
Title: Re: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: Golfer on October 09, 2008, 12:31:44 PM
I've never flown a turboprop but I get what you're saying.  The differences between a certified gearbox on a PT-6 versus something someone whipped up in their garage are huge as I'm sure you know.  Apples and oranges.

I don't know enough about them yet to plunk down the money but I'm more serious now than I ever was.  Thanks for the tips.
Title: Re: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: avionix on October 09, 2008, 12:33:31 PM
You do an Aspen install if I wanna poop can all the radios in a L360 and put a Garmin stack in?

PM me the aircraft model and tail number along with what is in the panel now.  Picture would be helpful but not necessary.  <S>
Title: Re: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: Wolfala on October 09, 2008, 12:46:03 PM
PM me the aircraft model and tail number along with what is in the panel now.  Picture would be helpful but not necessary.  <S>

Don't have anything yet - just in the market. Point is, a lot of 360s have non-std stacks with poop piled on top of extraneous gear that isn't even needed in a std stack.

Examples:  (http://images.barnstormers.com/classified_files/270602-N360KL-Cockpit.jpg)

A Mach meter?! I'm kind of a Frank L. Wright fan so less is more. Something like this says it all.

(http://images.barnstormers.com/tmp_images/f8/09/scaled_f809_800x533_268112-IMG_0010.jpg)

Lets just say for kicks - you poopcan the existing panel - you put in 2 cutouts for an Aspen in the spot where normally you would have the AI and DG. Center is a normal Garmin 430 with a cutout for a 396. And on the right you put a JPI930C and breaker panels. Easy, not messy. (http://www.jpitech.com/images/primay1.jpg)Theres everything you need - and you don't have a load of garbage behind the panel to make it a pain in the bellybutton to work on.
Title: Re: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: Baitman on October 09, 2008, 01:25:06 PM
I like the less is more concept too :aok

Golfer I have heard lots of good things about the Belt PSRU (no personal experiance) but I believe that they were also <250 hp also. Not many >350 hp unit out there. One PSRU that comes to mind is the one on the front of the thunder mustang.
Title: Re: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: sluggish on October 09, 2008, 03:15:30 PM
nah
Title: Re: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: croduh on October 09, 2008, 04:24:24 PM
I plan to get myself one of these later in my life:

You guys should get them while they're hot (don't know if you could import them into us though)

Prices on mig-21s?From 50000$ upwards.And considering some of those planes have been last flown in 2000s (some actually in 2004 and 2005 in various eastern eu countries)...

Example:
http://www.avitop.com/aircraft/aircraft.asp?id=555
Title: Re: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: bcadoo on October 09, 2008, 07:19:43 PM
A Spitfire Mk26 and Mk26b would be nicer. ;) ;) :D

Then you should probably look here: http://www.supermarineaircraft.com

(http://www.supermarineaircraft.com/Images/IMG_0178_000.JPG)
Title: Re: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: WWhiskey on October 09, 2008, 07:24:49 PM
saw one not long ago , looks very kool;
 hope the box holds up for you!
Title: Re: Joined the EAA and reserved an N-number.
Post by: Casca on October 10, 2008, 09:33:34 AM
Looks like a fun ride Golfer.