Need someone to weld me up a Little Wing

[magilla]

Anyone know anyone who could weld up a Little Wing airframe for a reasonable price?

I have general technical know-how, and am good with engines, etc. However, the task of learning how to weld at the same time as building a Little Wing is just too daunting.

Ron Herron is booked and is not taking any orders at this time....so, any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

I would be interested in a quote for labor, and also a quote for parts and labor for a completed fuselage.

I can be contacted at swrobinson@prodigy.net

[mcbirdman]

If I remember right it is aproximately 500.00 dollars worth of steel but it is the hundreds of hours building jigs, cutting, fitting and recutting and fitting that makes buying a frame from Ron so appealing to me now. If he was only able to make you a frame you would be very far ahead....... But NOOOOO Rich wanted to do it from scratch :lalala: Just kidding.

Seriously though weren't you looking for a wider frame or something different? Every time you divert from the plan it means inversly proportional amount of time to accomplish.

[GyroRon]

Just save yourself alot of time and money and buy Joes tractor gyro. Ron Herron will know what I am talking about. The one I test flew for him and he has for sale now minus engine

[magilla]

Looked at some other posts re: the JT-2. From what I remember, it was underpowered with a vw....

I go 6'4", 270.

A) Is there enough room in the JT-2 for me?
B) Ron, what would you recommend for an engine?
1) Corvair?
2) Hirth F30?
3) If weight is not an issue, how about mazda rotary? Will airframe handle a 225 lb motor?
C) Ron, what about rotors? What size you recommend for that airframe and my weight?

Also, please tell me about the flight characteristics.

I already emailed Joe T and told him I am interested - just want to know as much as possible....

Seriously, this sounds like a good deal, but I have got to know if I will fit in the machine before I commit!!!!

I am at Ft. Rucker, AL, right now going through UH-60 Blackhawk Instructor Pilot Course. It will be about 6 weeks before I can go look at or pick up anything, but need to know all I can at this point.

Thanks,

Spencer

[WHY]

Hi Spencer

I'm ssure the airframe would handle a heavier engine with the necessary hp but if you go very much heavier you will have a problem with bothe the ground handling cg and the flying cg as they will have to be changed, however your personal weight will possibly offset the engine added weight and all may come out fine.

With the tractor the pilot weight and engine weight need to be taken into consideration at all times due to their distance from the rotor and from the landing gear.

Tony

[magilla]

ALCON:
Great News!!!!!
Talked to Joe T this morning. His frame and 27' DW's are still for sale!!!

Funnily enough, as I was looking back through old emails on something else, I apparently got an email from Joe back in May about his Gyro when I was asking questions about Ron Herron's Little Wing. Karma... :D

Anyway, Joe T and I talked a little about his gyro - he goes 270 also, so the gyro CG shouldn't be an issue! He also painted the airframe my favorite color, OD Green. Karma x 2 ;)

He has 27' Dragon Wings, so disc loading at an all-up GWT of 800 lbs should be about 1.4. For those that know about loading, please let me know if I should bite or pass on the DW blades for 1000.....Do I need to go larger, or smaller? What is optimum loading? I've heard a rule of thumb that 1.2 is too little, and 1.5 is too much... Any truth/experience to that rule, or is it hogwash? My mind is open for input.....

Anyway, here are the numbers

230 airframe
270 pilot
50 27' Dragon Wing Blades
100 gas (13 gallons)
250 engine wet
800 total

The rotors come for an extra 1000, so all up minus engine Joe T. is asking 5000. Sounds extremely reasonable.

Now -

Gyroron - you think a 100hp corvair from William Wynne will work? He claims thrust tests of 360lbs normally aspirated, and 470lbs turbo for his 2700cc (164ci) engines with a 72" prop. What kind of thrust will I need for the JT2 to launch like a grasshopper?

Also, what about a Mazda 13b engine? 160hp, wet weight of 260...(I could put the battery in back and add a fuel tank under the seat...at worst, move the struts forward...

Man, I am so excited!!! I even got the nod from my wife.... :smokin:

Tell me what you guys think...I trust your opinions, since my judgment is now clouded by OD Green.... :D

Man, I can't wait to see it in person!

[MikeBoyette]

Spencer,
The DW's are a great deal. They are quite a bit more new, and those are barely used. As for the power plant save your self some time and aggrivation and find a good used Rotax 912 or 912s. They are a proven powerplant and probably about the same weight as a VW.

[gyromike]

Spencer,

At 800 lbs, those DW's should put you right in the middle of groove. Ernie recommends 1.3 to 1.6 lbs/sq.ft.

I agree with Mike B., a Rotax 912s should make for a real performer, and probably weighs around 100lbs. less than a Mazda conversion.

[GyroRon]

You want thrust to equal at least half of the all up weight. 360 pounds thrust on a 800 pound machine is not going to do it... sorry.

I have to third the 2 other suggestions and say the cats meow would be a Rotax 912S 100 horsepower engine and a 72+ inch three blade prop. I know the engine costs a arm and leg, but it is a trouble free engine that will give you 15-20 years of trouble free flying with little maintance costs associated. It is lightweight, smooth and doesn't use much gas.

Other engines I would consider may be a warmed over Subaru EA-81 with reduction drive - not as expensive, but heavier and less reliable and less thrust. Or perhaps a Big Subaru EJ-22 with reduction or even EJ-25 possibly direct drive. I would still say the best powerplant would probably end up being the Rotax 912S though.