And yet, another unexpected set back. The winter weather in Idaho has been atrocious today so much like school students, we at work got a "snow" and "extremely hazardous road condition" day. Which although I would have preferred to work, I felt a little elated that I could spend the day working on the last remaining items on the Pitts. I got the final sanding on the fuse done and man am I glad that is out of the way. I decided I would get the cowl ring set in the cowl and the cowl mounted so that I could next get the 3w 70 twin mounted. I started by measuring out the exact center of the cowl face and marked it for reference. Then using my drill, I started the prop shaft hole and finished up with my dremel with a sanding drum. To enlarge the hole, I used the prop washer as a rough size ring. Then opened the hole up a little more. After that, I opened up just what should be needed for air to pass by the cylinders. I was surprised to discover how deep inside the cowl the 70 sits. I will have to really baffle those jugs.
I figured since I was cutting holes in the cowl, I might just as well get the air scoop opened up. So starting with the larger sanding drum, I opened up just to the edges of the scoop. Changed out to the smaller drum to get into the corners a little better. It will still need just a little sanding to clean up the edges, but hey...looks pretty cool.
I had to snap another photo of the fuse as I was thinking to myself...dang, this thing is just "screaming" for some kind of covering. Mostly of the Orange persuasion. What do you all think?
I'm actually seriously contemplating a two toned covering....(to start with). Which will mean very minimal double layers. Which should help in the weight department. My thought is this.... front portion of the fuse being the same Orange as what is on the H9 Sukhoi. At or somewhere near the first to middle of the cabane struts, the orange will "flame" transition to Pearl Purple. From there, it will be purple to the trailing edge of the rudder. Of course I will break it up with some accent colors, (how I do not know yet) of Black and or Silver. Of course my covering of choice is Ultracote. White may be out the door for now. This is just a thought on the covering. How about some input guys? Can you envision my description? What do you think?
Ah yeah so you're all wondering about the previously mentioned set back, right? To me it kind of sucks because this plane is just "soooo" close to being ready to cover. Seems like there has been one issue or another to deal with throughout the entire build. I am talking about the naturally built in "EXTREME" up thrust on the firewall. It would be almost impossible to "accidentally" build in up thrust as the firewall is keyed into the fuse sides and thus, the thrust is automatically set.
@Wacobipe and
@Maxwell1945, can you give me some input please? Did either of your planes have this much "UP" thrust in your firewall? I realize all I will need to do is add spacers to the top of the engine mount, (or an extra length to the custom standoffs I use) but really was not wanting to "cobble" together "anything" on this plane. I have one last little chore to complete before proceeding with my covering. That is the landing gear cover. Although it won't take any time at all to design and build it, I am a little discouraged at the moment and really don't feel up to doing much with it for a bit. We'll see how it goes the rest of the week.
Anyone got a match or a lighter????
