Minicoupe

[Aerowerx]

Its a lot more work to build a modified version of a proven, existing design, than to build per plans, but much less work than starting from scratch to develop a “totally hew design”.

Almost every airplane in existence has adopted features of previous designs.

BJC

I should have been more clear.

It is ok to borrow ideas from an existing design, but you have to admit that quite often that someone sees a "StarBuster XYZ" and starts proposing changes to it. Then after a few iterations, it should no longer be called "StarBuster XYZ", IMHO. I have even seen a notation on some plans to the effect: "If you make any changes, do not call it a "StartBuster XYZ" and I [the designer, not me] absolve myself from all responsibility."

 

[FritzW]

You mean... Rutan didn't come up with the little wing thingie in front idea????

Sliding down a cable is cheating...

 

[Tiger Tim]

Sliding down a cable is cheating...

View attachment 91600

He should have waited for the invention of photoshop before posting that one.

(Yes, before any Brazilian/French historians get upset I know it was a test rig and that the 14 bis did fly free)

 

[FritzW]

It did fly w/o the cable but (IIRC) just short, straight hops. It never had roll or yaw control. ...but the pilot stood up in the cockpit which is pretty cool

 

[Aerowerx]

Notice the camber on the wing. Maximum at 50% chord???

 

[TFF]

The forward plane is the rudder and elevator. No roll. Historic footage https://m.youtube.com/watch?
Copy v=vhE7UPOlmeQ

 

[Tiger Tim]

So anyways, I think we were talking about a neat little twin-finned single seater that tragically took my first choice in names for a miniature Monocoupe...

Does anyone have any info on reasonable max/min pilot sized for a ‘coupe built to plans?

 

[Derswede]

Might want to get up with the Kimball's. They have already built a MaxiCoupe (McCullocoupe) with a P&W R985 or a Russian M14P powering them, the next iteration should be a MiniCoupe or a MicroCoupe. Tho the Clipwing was tight in any case, standard comment was "Are you wearing deodorant?" before flight. If you go small, it becomes a single place rather rapidly. Stock Clipwing span was only 23'.
Derswede

 

[pfbc29]

He should have waited for the invention of photoshop before posting that one.

(Yes, before any Brazilian/French historians get upset I know it was a test rig and that the 14 bis did fly free)

No, it was the initial tests, pulled by horses to test the stability, on the day of the first flight, it was free form.

 

[JaTro]

Back to minicoupe please. Trying to reincarnate thread. Does anybody know width of firewall please? Do plans have full size patterns or rather list of offsets?

 

[plncraze]

Order them and find out. Someday there won't be anyone willing to sell plans like this and they will disappear.

Home

Home page of the Mini Coupe sport airplane.

www.theminicoupe.com

 

[Aerowerx]

Back to minicoupe please. Trying to reincarnate thread. Does anybody know width of firewall please? Do plans have full size patterns or rather list of offsets?

I thought I had a PDF copy, but can't locate it in my digital archive.

IIRC it had "full size" patterns. Of course, your mileage may vary depending on how you print the PDF.

I assume you know about this website?

 

[Markproa]

A friend of mine has a Minicoupe sitting in his shed almost ready to fly. It's been there for 30 years with a zero hours Revmaster. He recently overhauled the motor so there's hope it may fly one day.

 

[Riggerrob]

Sliding down a cable is cheating...

View attachment 91600

Many first generation flying machines had single arc airfoils.
Lots more used thin airfoils copied from birds. Some even used single skin wings .... easy to build, but all those exposed ribs and spars create drag.
One of the Wright's greatest contributions was testing various airfoils in a wind tunnel.

 

[JaTro]

I thought I had a PDF copy, but can't locate it in my digital archive.

IIRC it had "full size" patterns. Of course, your mileage may vary depending on how you print the PDF.

I assume you know about this website?

I did found that, I allready did sent email to Mr. Dixon. Waitin for his reply. Thanks for your help. Still Wonder about width of firewall, IT seems radial Verner 5 should fit well on that aparatus.

 

[Aerowerx]

I did found that, I allready did sent email to Mr. Dixon. Waitin for his reply. Thanks for your help. Still Wonder about width of firewall, IT seems radial Verner 5 should fit well on that aparatus.

IIRC, the PDF I had showed half the firewall pattern. You would have to duplicate the other half as a mirror image.

Also, IIRC, it was designed to use a VW engine, so that would give you some idea of the space available ahead of the firewall.

The biggest thing I did not like about the design was the nosewheel assembly.

 

[Aerowerx]

I'm so sorry, Jatro!

I got thinking about it and took another look at my digital archive.

What I have is a PDF of the Teenie Two plans, the sister ship to the Minicoupe.

 

[pwood66889]

Am I still here? Thought I'd sent answer on MiniCoupe firewall.
IF not, it is 13 and 1/4 inches.

 

[pwood66889]

And 29 inches tall. Hope these posts make the cut. Changed computers, etc.
Percy in NW FL, USA

 

[Tiger Tim]

Percy I’m reading you five by five.