Little Wing Booster Progress....

[mcbirdman]

I recieved the following update email from Richard Lidke, one of the other 2 builders in our group. I have been driving down there on Sundays doing a marathon work session and Rich works some weeknights in addition to his matching marathon session. We are having fun building in a group as it keeps us motivated and progress oriented. Evidently the pieces we fit and tack welded made it to the welding shop (Bob). Thought you might like to know our progress.

Here is the enthusiastic email :

"Flash--It has been heard that in Northern Indiana several Booster Men worked last nite until 9:30 PM welding and doing other sundry work on three Little Wing 2+2 Auto-gyros. Headline News has it that two of the regular 3 man booster group performed exceptionally well doing excellent work and accomplishing goals such as completing the welding of all the 5/8" upper cross tubes with bushings and the single !" cross tube with its ancillary bushings. In addition the group accomplished the finish welding of three sets of landing gear struts. Headline news has it first for you! Tune in again for further updates. It has also been heard that now that the cross tubes have been completed more work on the second jig air frame can be completed on schedule, in budget, and according to plan! This record setting goal oriented work is once again moving forward fast and furious by the FAMOUS LITTLE WING BOOSTER AVIATION group."

[Rotornut]

Thats Great James. Keep us updated. Get some Pics.
MJ

[Joe_Terminella]

Hi James,
what engines will those Little Wings be getting?

[mcbirdman]

Hi Joe,

I am liking the rotek radial engine right now. Plenty of time to reconsider. I may also look more into the rotax 912. Ron recommends in order: Rotax, Radial and Sub 4. I don't know what we will end up with for sure. There is going to come a time (hopefully soon lol) that we will have to make the decision. Right now we have been busy making all the small parts but realize that once they are done all you have to do is just put them together. Heck - that should only take the better part of an afternoon you think?

There is a high horspower VW manufactured in Florida that is over 100 hp. price is much more moderate but I have seen postings about the company that cause a bit of concern. Since this machine is going to be around for quite a while I just figure that I will just have to pay the money for piece of mind and quality.

I have taken some photos but havent downsized them yet of our progress. At this point in time it isn't a lot to look at as the parts are just laying there. Hoping to get some photos soon of the frame sides being joined and then it will be more fun to watch. Thanks for the interest joe, jtm

[donshoebridge]

James,

I had a chance to see where the LW's are being built this past weekend. Quite the operation! Everything about the construction of those LW's is first rate. Nice job. I hope to be driving back up to northern Indiana in a few weeks to see the progress.

Keep up the good work!

Don

[mcbirdman]

Hi Don,

I heard you might stop by after the meeting in Valspiro (sp?). The credit for progress and the quality that you saw in the parts really is a tribute to the exacting expertise of our engineering department head Richard Lidke. He knows metal and makes it look easy. He started laying out the jigs in November and after a visit up to see my single place little wing said you know.... It isn't that hard to make the parts for one more since it is mostly in the setup...... So here I am building a second Little Wing before I have finished the first. The opportunity that he has offered has slowed down the first but I always wanted a two place anyway..

The three of us work at different times of the week but we are always moving ahead. We are going to get this done and it isn't going to take years....

I will post a few photos but realize this.... I am a proffesional photographer but when I am not "on the job I often use this little camera with all automatic features and so if the photos are blurry it is because there is no focus and much limitation. I just let it do what it wants and I can't help it. I do actually shoot better than these show....

Well, lets see if they post. There will be a few overall, some parts such as the landing gear for all 3, the many tabs that have to be cut, brackets etc. Notice the big crane he built so that we can hang test (lol) It is on a track that lets it roll the length of the barn.
I think it is so great and we are enjoying the build as we are learning and accomplishing something I think is historic. Anyone seen 3 Little Wings built in production before? Thanks again, if anyone has any questions we probably don't know but can ask (lol) jtm

[mcbirdman]

Richard - the man who started this group for our addiction I mean application

[mcbirdman]

Some more photos lw

[gyroblackwell]

Hay James,

I also got a chance to take a look-see at your (groups) work! Nice craftsmenship!
To see the fuselage up on the table is truely a site to behold (gave me goose bumps)
(or maybe it was just damn cold !) you guys keep up the good work, and we look forward to seeing a rolling frame at the July fly-in!

Tim

[donshoebridge]

Hey Tim,

You need to put a link to MAC, and your MAC title in your signature.

Keep us posted James.

Don

[gyroblackwell]

Hay Don

Now why would I want to give out that info?

I don't think I have that kind of room.... but I'll try!

[mcbirdman]

Hi Tim,

It is really neat to see the tables all layed out with the blocks. There was alot of time just in the setup of these jigs that Rich accomplished. We keep cutting the parts he needs and pushing ahead.

I ordered the rest of the tubing for the 2nd and 3rd airframe several weeks ago from Dillsburg Penn. After waiting I called them to find out if he had actually sent out the order that he said he was going to work on "beginning of the week". I then got told after those weeks that it would be maybe a month before I would get the metal and he wouldn't even promise that.

It made me mad that he said he would get it packed up first of the week and after a couple weeks I have to call and then say that he is so backed up and that he is SO busy. He told me that he could cancel the order if I wanted as long as it hasn't been started and then wanted to know if he could get off the phone now (my long distance) because he has other things to do like help the people who drove to his place and are picking out their orders....etc.... It is very frustrating because we invested the time and he never bothered to tell me how far behind he was and that to cancel could cause an even longer wait as we start all over again.

It is also very frustrating that he didn't care whether we cancelled or not and was more interested in serving other people that he did not already have an agreement with. It didn't reinforce the statement in his price list that speaks of priding himself on "serving us honestly and efficiently."

He had all the reasons for why he operating this way and none of it was his fault or his own doing. Not even a sorry. I think it is a sorry way to operate.

Anyway, until we can get some more tubing we cannot start the layout of the second and third set of frames. I thought we were ordering enough tubing to matter but I guess not. In the mean time we are just trying to keep busy as there is still alot we can do.

Thanks for your interest Tim and Don, it is exciting for us also. The goose bumps we had were from working this winter in the pole barn at like 26 degrees or so..... Now, with the improved climatic conditions production should also improve. Thanks again, jtm

[gyroblackwell]

James,

I know what you mean about Dillsburg. I had the same kind of "run-in" with him. Bottom line is, he has the corner on the chrome-molly tubing market cause most of the major aircraft grade tubing manufactures have stopped making the material. This guy has a huge stock-pile of the material, and now is enjoying "running the show". He decides who, when, how, and how long.
I asked him why he did not have a website for ordering material, and he went off on me, got real nasty and threatend to cancel my order.

lesson learned .... I simply appologiesed for the comment, and made sure my material was still being sent - when-ever - !

aircraft grade tubing is going to get real scarce real soon!

enjoy the build!

[mcbirdman]

Well Tim,

Thinking about your post and the steel situation I was a little anxious and a little hesitant to call and ask about my shipment. I was surprised to learn that he actually just sent it out yesterday. He said he had some labor/sickness problems but he did get it out. I am sure glad that I am through "that" Bob Randall 2of3 builder and I were looking at taking the 10-12 hour trip down there to make sure we got it and were just trying to find out how close he was to shipping. I am pretty sure it will show up next few days which will put production back to the pace we are hoping to be. (whatever that really is lol) jtm

[scottessex]

have you tried these guys?
http://www.twmetals.com/

That's Our supplier, (Delta Airlines) and I know that we still get 4130 chro mo. If that is the same grade that you need.