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    Hi from Australia, Im interested in info/ advise on Bristol Bulldog construction

    Interesting project. I cannot help with drawings but can offer a few comments. Here is a cutaway of the Bulldog. Like many British aircraft of the era, the wing spars and possibly the ribs are roll formed from high tensile steel strip. This form of construction is explained in significant...
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    The End of the Rotax 582 UL

    Unfortunate news for those who operate ultralights with two stroke Rotax engines .... https://www.flyrotax.com/news/detail/stop-of-production-of-2-stroke-rotax-582-ul-aircraft-engine-by-the-end-of-2021.html Now Rotax needs to step up and make a 50-60 hp four stroke in the 582 weight range. Not...
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    Strength by species

    White pine has been used for years by TEAM and others. These aircraft were designed to use it from the start (the stress reports show that to be the case). My understanding is that Fisher are using old growth Northern White Pine, not plantation stock. The Europeans have used Baltic Pine (Pinus...
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    The rise of FrankenEngine - An engine for the VP-21

    .... and if we think this is a modern problem, the search for a 2 cylinder 30-40 hp engine goes all the way back to 1926 (and probably beyond) ... Bristol Cherub. 36 hp, 95 lb.
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    The rise of FrankenEngine - An engine for the VP-21

    Verner also made the VM-133 2 cylinder horizontally opposed engine but that was 81 hp (TO) 72 hp (Cont) and about 132 lb. Note sure if this one is still in production. A nice engine if it were a bit smaller.
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    The rise of FrankenEngine - An engine for the VP-21

    The past 40 years are a chronical of failed small 4 stroke engine projects: Global 7892 (2 Cyl, 32 hp, 76 lb) - based on VW parts with new case etc but claimed to be about 10 lb lighter. Hundreds made. Mosler MMCB (2 Cyl, 38 hp, 85 lb) - further development of the global engine (more than 1000...
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    VP-21A Single Seat / Yankee Luciole

    The expertise is out there to design and built gearboxes for these smaller 1 litre automotive engines. The Aeromomentum engines look ok. Their smallest engine is the AM10 which is an all alloy 3 cylinder, 1 litre, automotive engine producing 85hp @ 6000 rpm (2318 prop rpm) with 139 lbs dry...
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    VP-21A Single Seat / Yankee Luciole

    A few thoughts: The Jodel D.9 is a great aircraft. Many hundreds have been built since the 50's but there are few being built these days. The question is why and what does this mean for the design being discussed .... 1. The one piece 23ft wing is a problem for many contemporary builders...
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    VP-21A Single Seat / Yankee Luciole

    Here is another design reference point .... the PIK-26 Mini Sytky from Finland. Designed by Kai Mellon in the early 90's. Powered by a 1/2 VW (Mosler MMCB). Construction is wood with some foam. A small number of these have been built. Empty weight approx 300 lb, gross weight 551 lb. Wing area 65...
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    VP-21A Single Seat / Yankee Luciole

    Since the discussion is now focused on a small single seat, low wing, all metal aircraft, does anyone remember the CH-50 Mini Z design by Chris Heintz way back in 1978 ? Empty weight 308 lb, gross weight 555 lb. Span 18'8" and area 67 sq ft. Only one was built. The engine ? Cuyuna two stroke...
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    VP-21A Single Seat / Yankee Luciole

    Well there was the Jabiru 1100, 40 hp prototype 15 years ago .... that was the answer to our prayers but they never went ahead with production.
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    First ideas for a mash-up homebuilt.

    Some similarity to the Soviet Phoenix M-5 ....
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    VP-21A Single Seat / Yankee Luciole

    The chord is 58 in (4.86 ft). At 23 mph (33.7 fps) the Reynolds number is Re = VL / v = 33.7 x 4.86 / 0.000159 = 1.03x 10^6 where v = kinematic viscosity = 0.000159 ft^2/sec. So Re = 1 million. Fairly low. I am not aware of any reliable data for slotted and flapped airfoils in this Re range...
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    VP-21A Single Seat / Yankee Luciole

    I have been in a Storch a few times and they do fly very slowly and the stall is a non event, especially with power. However I think 16mph is a bit of a stretch. The wing area of the Slepcev Storch is 155 sq ft. The flying weight of the original single seat version with the two stroke Rotax was...
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    VP-21A Single Seat / Yankee Luciole

    The V3 "Rebell" is one of the more successful aircraft with a 627cc Vanguard. There are quite a few flying in Europe and I think it is far more practical than the Luciole. It is claimed to be 115 kg empty (254 lb). It is not Part 103 legal because the stall speed exceeds 24 kts (the 115 kg...
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    VP-21A Single Seat / Yankee Luciole

    Not a bad idea. I would start by nailing down the engine. What options are there for an engine with less than 40 hp ? Luciole uses a modified Briggs and Stratton Vanguard (627cc) which is 23 hp stock and generally claimed to have 25 hp at 3600 rpm as converted by Columban's plans. Engine weight...
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    Prue Super Standard Canopy

    Interesting project. Have you got any more detailed photos that you could post.
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    search for original hanglider plans

    Thanks, I had no idea that this book existed. I will track down a copy.
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    An airplane for the modern homebuilding enthusiast

    Excellent ... thanks for the link.
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    An airplane for the modern homebuilding enthusiast

    Yes, I was wondering is there is a webpage where I can download the French rules. Just coincidentally I was looking for them for some other reason when you mentioned them in your first post.
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