Fighting 14
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2021
- Messages
- 339
Yes it is a male tail wheel. No I did not weigh it without the engine. In fact there is no record that I have that shows that any of the previous owners had any weight and balance info. Hard to believe. You would think the DAR who signed it off would have baulked at that. Get this, when I took this thing apart, the firewall which is supposed to be stainless steel or galvanized steel was in fact 2024 T3. Not cool. So sorry I did not weigh it witout the engine. I suppose we could take the published weight of the O-290 D2 and figure out weights which that number does not include to come up with a baseline number without the engine. One other thing, I think my fuel quantity is probably close to 17 gallons rather than 14. There is going to be some variation between builders. You will probably come in lighter than you think.
I don't know how the prototype came in at 605. A longer gear, bigger engine, more fuel, heavier fabric, maybe a metal prop, and a heavy starter, heavier ribs, heavier cowling and fairings all add up and pretty soon you have gained 120 pounds. 605 pounds is hard to believe. Have you checked any more on the Vernier's ability to snap. Must have weak crank. I wish I knew a light radial for you. But you will do better without the frontal area. You know you have quite a bit of wiggle room on your weight. RK designed it for a 180 lb pilot at 1000 lbs and 10 gs. I have not done the math but say you weighed 1100 lbs, you are probably still good for more than 6 gs and I doubt you will ever pull more than that. This is not an unlimited category competitor. Keep your fabric and paint light and you will be ok.
I don't know how the prototype came in at 605. A longer gear, bigger engine, more fuel, heavier fabric, maybe a metal prop, and a heavy starter, heavier ribs, heavier cowling and fairings all add up and pretty soon you have gained 120 pounds. 605 pounds is hard to believe. Have you checked any more on the Vernier's ability to snap. Must have weak crank. I wish I knew a light radial for you. But you will do better without the frontal area. You know you have quite a bit of wiggle room on your weight. RK designed it for a 180 lb pilot at 1000 lbs and 10 gs. I have not done the math but say you weighed 1100 lbs, you are probably still good for more than 6 gs and I doubt you will ever pull more than that. This is not an unlimited category competitor. Keep your fabric and paint light and you will be ok.