Turbulator tapes on Cessna wing struts

Charlie Longley said:

Someone saw these tapes when I was talking about using glider tapes for elevator gap seals on a PA-12. (Which I don’t do or recommend) They PM’d me and asked if I’ve ever used them on a Cessna wing strut. Short answer is no but it got me thinking. What’s the fastest 180/185 out there? I would guess it’s an early 180 with 300 hp, spinning a light 3 bladed prop, small tires and a Snyder kit. Gap seal would certainly help.

http://wingsandwheels.com/tapes-seals/turbulator-dimple-tape.html

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behindpropellers said:

I thought 2 blade props were typically the winner in the speed category?

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Charlie Longley said:

Really? That seems counterintuitive but I’ve never researched it.

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Charlie Longley said:

Someone saw these tapes when I was talking about using glider tapes for elevator gap seals on a PA-12. (Which I don’t do or recommend) They PM’d me and asked if I’ve ever used them on a Cessna wing strut. Short answer is no but it got me thinking. What’s the fastest 180/185 out there? I would guess it’s an early 180 with 300 hp, spinning a light 3 bladed prop, small tires and a Snyder kit. Gap seal would certainly help.

http://wingsandwheels.com/tapes-seals/turbulator-dimple-tape.html

Click to expand...

JohnnyR said:

Has anyone ever done an experimental Skywagon with a Soloy turbine?
I thought Mike Vivion had mentioned one once upon a time...

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mvivion said:

Joe Soloy’s flight test airplane to prove the Soloy Turbine Pac was a 185. After flight test, I heard the airplane was reconfigured to a recip engine. Soloy never certified the 185 with the Turbine Pac.

MTV

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stewartb said:

The fastest straight and level speed I've seen in my 180 was 185 mph. That was a break-in flight with the new Pponk and 86" 3-blade. The plane had 800s or 850s and a standard 8" tailwheel. No speed mods. It was difficult to find smooth air to break it in by running it hard but I still remember that day. Overcast ceiling at about 1600'. I did laps over the Big Su from the power lines at the beach to the Parks highway bridge and back. These days with big tires 145mph is my normal. I could get 150 if I wanted but the fuel curve doesn't justify it.

My friends with equal engines and 88" 2-blades aren't any faster. They're lighter. Mine is smoother. They're all good.

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JohnnyR said:

Has anyone ever done an experimental Skywagon with a Soloy turbine?
I thought Mike Vivion had mentioned one once upon a time...

Click to expand...