Lw Michigan 0r... got her pants on ! they were off before...

[mcbirdman]

Here are a few photos of the single place I have been working on in between the Booster group effort. I made the brackets for the pants and except for getting a few finish bolts - works good.... Tonight I added the blue on the pants and one photo simulates it. The all yellow pants were just waiting to be scalloped. Hope you enjoy. Don't forget to click on any photos to have it zoom in. Cool feature ! Thanks - jtm

[Rando]

James,

Who is the lucky pilot going to be to make the first test flight?

[mcbirdman]

Hi Randy - I heard I missed you at 3 rivers.

Well, we have been so busy with the others - I wasn't sure which was going to go first. On the one hand duel instruction and the other - I could go somewhere and get more instruction and then start working with the single place. Most everyone has said transistion will be very easy considering the model. They keep saying it'll fly like a 152 / docile. I guess while I am in the building mode I still have more than enough to do. Sometimes I think about how much easier it would be if there were more LW pilots around who could try her and tweak her for me.

You're still welcome to come up and see me whenever/if you want. It is getting close now. Still have a few brackets on the mast and bolt down a few things. etc. jtm

[Rando]

It sure looks awesome! Can't wait to see it fly.

[barnstorm2]

Sweet!

NICE gyro. You must be very proud!

[Aussie_Paul]

Wow!!! James that is awesome!!!!

I was to test a little wing in a couple of weeks but the builder has had a couple of small non gyro things to sort out. So, it will be October before I get to enjoy a new phase to my flying.

Aussie Paul. :)

[mcbirdman]

Thanks for the enthusiasm. Been a long road with a lot of turns. I have learned very much along the way though. I am a lot more confident than I was as I have had to learn as I go.

Paul - do you have any photos of the LW you are testing? Single or Double? Also - what color is it? I'll bet you are truly looking forward to it. jtm

[GyroRon]

Wanna trade? ;)

[mcbirdman]

did you MEAN to place the photo of the tri-pacer instead of the ladder photo?... lol

[animal]

Here are a few photos of the single place I have been working on in between the Booster group effort. I made the brackets for the pants and except for getting a few finish bolts - works good.... Tonight I added the blue on the pants and one photo simulates it. The all yellow pants were just waiting to be scalloped. Hope you enjoy. Don't forget to click on any photos to have it zoom in. Cool feature ! Thanks - jtm

man that is a sharp looking bird,would love to see it at ROC.

[richard lidke]

Jim. I can't believe how nice the latest shots are. They are as you said "so cool". Your photog work is truly first class, as are all of the other things you are doing here. I noticed only two connection tubes to the rotor head. Are you still working on the third? The new plexiglass tinted covering on the roof looks great. I've all but finished up the seat adjustment designs. We will definitely have a working seat model this weekend. Check my personal post to you on this subject. The colors of the #1 aircraft are truly very eye catchy candy. This is one female who looks great in pants, but this sure isn't a general statement. Keep up the usual good work. Littlewing Booster Rich.

[mcbirdman]

Hey Rich,

How is # 2 aircraft coming? You make it so hard for me to catch up with you on #3. Bob probably really feels off on #4.

Yes, I wondered if anyone noticed it yet. There are 3 places for push pull but only 2 are in. You know that upper piece that goes from the tailpost all the way up to the cross tube behind pilots head? The 3rd would have gone straight down and hit the tube. I welded a "U" tube so the push pull can go "through" the piece and allow for a 3 push pull system that Ron Herron designed.

I thought others would like the catchy thread name .

She is hanging around in the pole barn litterally as I am trying to do the test so that I can determine exactly how long to make the push pulls. That is also why the rear window is removed because I want to see where the holes will be in the window for the push pulls. In the meantime I don't want to scratch the windows or whatever...

Also, I had thought of a good use for lazer lights... If I put it on the top push pull connector and shine it down to the bottom ball joint I can see exactly (on the glass) where to put the holes through so I don't make them bigger than they need. It isn't much... but hey - I need all the help I can to be accurate when drilling lexan.

Thanks for the comments about the photography. I think the feature Todd put on for zooming in on the photo is cool. I can still send a little bit better quality and only if you want to click on it to see it. Thanks Todd ! On the photos.... My ten year old did them.... just kidding...... we gotta/do have fun. Good on the new adjustable seats. I guess that is what engineer means on your certificate? Thanks for your help Rich teaching me about metal stuff I am having fun.
jtm

[mcbirdman]

Okay, last night I replaced bolts in the mast with "real" ones instead of the temp #8 bolts. I fit 2 of the push pulls although I still need to buy another length for the center one. I cut the holes where the rear windshield has the pushrods extending through. I also finished the forward rotor lock and made it adjustable as the forward rotor break pad becomes worn. I have a f15 fighter grip installed for just looks and a few switches such as radio. It is really neat to know that if I just put the positive line back up to starter and put the blades on.... I could find out how well the rotor brake works. It wouldn't be that far from flying.

I decided to make an arm rest and pocket sort of thing for my left arm. With the left window in place I will not be able to rest my throttle arm so I figured I would carve som pink foam and see what I can do. I can cover it with fabric if it works out well but I see a lot of utility in this little rest with side pockets. I have not done this yet... but it is next.....or getting the strobes mounted down on the floor. I had to remove one of them because it was acting up already. I bought a small fire extinguisher and the springs that go on the rotorhead as part of the automatic anti flap teeter limiters. I drilled the top plate so the springs should snap right on. I don't like the open main bearing and am considering closing it up with a grease fitting or something. When it rains I can't see any reason the water won't fall or roll directly down into the bearing. Hard to protect or predict when the machine might go through water... like when trailering.... so I want to see what I can do... more stuff and more fun ....

I need to mount the electric compass and start figuring how to get my radio mounted in there .... but that may become part of the arm rest...

Rich was so kind to give me something that a friend had given him that will help me here in Michigan. It is a oil heater that bolts onto the oilpan and plugs in A/c line.

[ultracruiser41]

HI James,
I enjoyed your pictures you posted some time ago of your LW. Absolutely beautiful !! Do you have anymore detailed shots of the mast/fuselage areas and any other detail shots that you could e-mail me? I'm modifying an exhisting fuselage I have and would like some dimensions to determine if it will be possible to do.

I've talked with Ron Herron and he feels it would work. I haven't sent for any drawings yet.

Thanks,

Barry Kropelin

[SNelson]

James
The way you addressed the landing gear is nice, I like the way everything is tight under the fuselage. I seems that supports to the outside and upper part of fuselage would mean more drag. OTOH the landing gear supported on the out side could be smoother operation or softer.

Let us know how it works out.
Cheers Sig

[mcbirdman]

Hi guys - thanks. I can't take credit for the design as it was already modified when I got the frame BUT I like how it alot more than other designs. It is more like a Cub and alot cleaner looking. I put airfoil shaped pieces of wood in the triangle portion of the gear and then covered it because I don't like the look of just tubes coming out to the wheels.

I actually do have some photos of Ron's Setup when I went to Texas convention. The only problem is that they are huge files and would take a bit of time to downsize for easy transmission. I could if you need but I am not sure what it is you havent quite figured out yet. Is it the top brace to the mast? I'll do what I can but this week is short because I am displaying to the public my Studio work and the gyro and trying to get ready in time for the Fri, Sat, Sunday show times. After I survive that (assumed) I will probably have a little more time.

Oh yea, I adjusted the gear to have 4 bungie chords tight on there. It gives, but Ron said don't let it give too much. He actually said you could just let the tires be "soft" and then have the bungies give very little and he thought that would be ideal. If the wheels flex too much they could start steering for /against me. I am keeping them tight so they don't flex unless I were to hit so hard that it would be enough to force the bungies to stretch.
ttys gotta get some sleep jtm