I am tired of reading, time to start writing here.
I am pulling a J-4a out of storage, I have had this plane since the early '80s. I started work on it but then a much easier Aeronca project came along followed by life evolving.
Way back then I collected this plane after a wind storm flipped it onto it's back. The plane had gone into non use as a trainer in the late '70s due to the instructors not liking the feel of it. If anyone had actually inspected the aft 4' of the fuselage they would not have questioned why this plane did not respond well. One would think it would need more than one tube connecting the tail post. The plane then sat till a tie down failed during a storm. The plane tried to solo but did not do to well.
Me, I have been working on aircraft since the early 70's, A&P and Pilots license since early 80's but have split my decades between aircraft restoration and building road race and rally cars.
I am a self employed fabricator, machinist and welder.
I live by the motto, If it ain't broke, Modify it!
Hence why this project will be in the experimental section of the forum.
Since the J4 never received much of any development post war I want the freedom to make changes similar to other Cubs have received over the decades. In many ways I am not looking at anything radical, just allot of little changes.
A few thoughts of where my mind is at.
Power, probably an O-200 with consideration of an Aeromatic prop. Engine will not be stock.
Fuselage, some structural changes such as I have no interest in ½ .028 upper tubes going to the firewall.
The birdcage has yet to be rebuilt so all the tubes will be replaced with changes such as extending the baggage area aft.
A few other dimensional detail changes will be done as well.
The landing gear I have is visually good but the oleos are frozen. I might as well build theses all new and doing so will be looking into some dimensional changes as well as better dampening in the hydraulics.
Wings, part of me wants clipped wings, part of me wants flaps and altered tips. My interest is more in cruise efficiency with the ability to get in moderately tight places, especially if the engine is out.
There may well be some composite sections in the wings as well, TBD.
Empennage, strap hinges and ball bearings will be used. Airfoil shape in vertical and Stab. Balanced and larger elevators, not determined about size of rudder yet.
Controls will utilize ball bearings as well as engineered plastics rather than steel on steel bushings. Essentially all stock parts with lower friction mountings.
Questions to follow,
Regards, Charlie
I am pulling a J-4a out of storage, I have had this plane since the early '80s. I started work on it but then a much easier Aeronca project came along followed by life evolving.
Way back then I collected this plane after a wind storm flipped it onto it's back. The plane had gone into non use as a trainer in the late '70s due to the instructors not liking the feel of it. If anyone had actually inspected the aft 4' of the fuselage they would not have questioned why this plane did not respond well. One would think it would need more than one tube connecting the tail post. The plane then sat till a tie down failed during a storm. The plane tried to solo but did not do to well.
Me, I have been working on aircraft since the early 70's, A&P and Pilots license since early 80's but have split my decades between aircraft restoration and building road race and rally cars.
I am a self employed fabricator, machinist and welder.
I live by the motto, If it ain't broke, Modify it!
Hence why this project will be in the experimental section of the forum.
Since the J4 never received much of any development post war I want the freedom to make changes similar to other Cubs have received over the decades. In many ways I am not looking at anything radical, just allot of little changes.
A few thoughts of where my mind is at.
Power, probably an O-200 with consideration of an Aeromatic prop. Engine will not be stock.
Fuselage, some structural changes such as I have no interest in ½ .028 upper tubes going to the firewall.
The birdcage has yet to be rebuilt so all the tubes will be replaced with changes such as extending the baggage area aft.
A few other dimensional detail changes will be done as well.
The landing gear I have is visually good but the oleos are frozen. I might as well build theses all new and doing so will be looking into some dimensional changes as well as better dampening in the hydraulics.
Wings, part of me wants clipped wings, part of me wants flaps and altered tips. My interest is more in cruise efficiency with the ability to get in moderately tight places, especially if the engine is out.
There may well be some composite sections in the wings as well, TBD.
Empennage, strap hinges and ball bearings will be used. Airfoil shape in vertical and Stab. Balanced and larger elevators, not determined about size of rudder yet.
Controls will utilize ball bearings as well as engineered plastics rather than steel on steel bushings. Essentially all stock parts with lower friction mountings.
Questions to follow,
Regards, Charlie