V3 L-4
New Member
I traveled to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA in June of 2021 for the EAA show. Once there I bought some white faced instruments-- a dual oil temp and pressure gauge, and a replica Cub tachometer, airspeed indicator, and altimeter-- as well as a few other odds and ends being offered for sale. I also met with people who represented businesses that could supply me with other needed items.
Then after seeing literal fields of yellow Cubs, and watching flights by Mustangs and Corsairs, I came home and started building a copy of the airplane I learned to fly in-- a civilianized Piper L-4 Grasshopper.
Over the next 12 months it all came together-- from plans, an ancient Penn State video, lots and lots of welded tubes, some steel angle, a few wood stringers, polyester, plywood panels, acrylic, multi-strand cables, and a few purchased items like A-N hardware, tube oil, pulleys, fuel line, fairleads, glue, paint, bearings, wheels, and tires.
I sought out information on how to do it. Then I did it, while actively ignoring those who tried to tell me why it could not be done. Or couldn't be done by me... Or couldn't be done "in the middle of nowhere..." I didn't debate anyone, buy a new camera, take thousands of step by step photographs, or create a slick web page to chart my progress. I just built my airplane.
The only deviation I made from my initial plan was the final paint color.
Now-- just under 365 days after the journey began-- I am flight testing it. I also figured out a very easy way to decrease an A-65's fuel burn to about 3.03 gph...
Then after seeing literal fields of yellow Cubs, and watching flights by Mustangs and Corsairs, I came home and started building a copy of the airplane I learned to fly in-- a civilianized Piper L-4 Grasshopper.
Over the next 12 months it all came together-- from plans, an ancient Penn State video, lots and lots of welded tubes, some steel angle, a few wood stringers, polyester, plywood panels, acrylic, multi-strand cables, and a few purchased items like A-N hardware, tube oil, pulleys, fuel line, fairleads, glue, paint, bearings, wheels, and tires.
I sought out information on how to do it. Then I did it, while actively ignoring those who tried to tell me why it could not be done. Or couldn't be done by me... Or couldn't be done "in the middle of nowhere..." I didn't debate anyone, buy a new camera, take thousands of step by step photographs, or create a slick web page to chart my progress. I just built my airplane.
The only deviation I made from my initial plan was the final paint color.
Now-- just under 365 days after the journey began-- I am flight testing it. I also figured out a very easy way to decrease an A-65's fuel burn to about 3.03 gph...
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