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Post by olroy2044 on Nov 1, 2009 22:46:48 GMT -5
During my search of the backroads of N. California for abandoned or derelict cars, trucks, tractors, etc., I suppose it was inevitable that I would eventually trip over an old airplane. I have no idea what this thing is. Wood frame, fabric covering, 2 cyl in-line aircooled German engine. Oly XA2 I only had one frame left on the film. Gotta go back for a better look! Roy
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photax
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Posts: 1,915
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Post by photax on Nov 2, 2009 6:54:15 GMT -5
Hi ! This one looks very interesting ! Is this a do-it-yourself construction ? What is a fabric covering ( i am not able to translate this word ) ? As i see, that the plane is for sale, i guess you will come back with a trailer and a pocket full of money MIK
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Post by pompiere on Nov 2, 2009 12:57:31 GMT -5
It may have built to comply with FAA ultralight rules in order to bypass the need for a pilot license. There are limits on overall weight, maximum speed, maximum stall speed, etc. My friend's dad built a plane like that about 20 years ago. It was a replica of a Piper Cub. To keep the weight down, it was only about half the size of the real airplane. The plane would fit in a 2 car garage without taking the wings off. His engine was a VW Beetle engine sawed in half to make it 2 cylinders. The fabric covering is cloth, like cotton or muslin sheeting. After the airplane is covered, the cloth is painted to make the fabric more durable and air tight. Back in the early days, all airplanes were built that way.
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Post by nikonbob on Nov 2, 2009 16:10:33 GMT -5
Some guys have all the luck. I have never run across anything this interesting on our local back roads. I did a quick google of 2cylinder parasol aircraft and did not spot any that looked like your find. If you ever discover what it is let us know.
Bob
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2009 18:41:43 GMT -5
Looks like a home-built IMO
Wayne
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Post by olroy2044 on Nov 2, 2009 19:03:39 GMT -5
Thank you all for looking. I believe that it is a partially completed homebuild, but I think it is to big and heavy to qualify as an ultralight. The engine looks very similar to a Rotax, but the markings and nomenclature are German. The aircraft not much smaller than a fullsized Cub. It has 3-axis controls, or what is left of them. Stick and rudder pedals are missing, as is the instrument panel. The fabric is rotten and loose. The framework that is visible is splintery (is that a word? and badly weather-beaten. I think it may be an attempt to replicate a WWI fighter. I seem to recall reading about a parasol-winged French aeroplane used very early in that conflict. Mik, I think I will pass on this one! ;D Roy
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Post by nikonbob on Nov 2, 2009 19:40:05 GMT -5
Roy
I think you are right that it was an attempt to home build a replica WW I fighter. Take a look at the tail and then check out Fokker EV on google and tell us what you think.
Bob
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Post by olroy2044 on Nov 2, 2009 20:16:19 GMT -5
Bob, I think you got it. I first saw the aircraft in my rear view mirror as I overshot a road where I wanted to turn. The trademark Fokker "comma" tail is what caught my eye first. The Fokker EV looks very similar. Maybe that explains the German engine, eh? Roy
PS Bob, is the shape of the rudder an early attempt at aerodynamic balancing?
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Post by nikonbob on Nov 2, 2009 21:18:21 GMT -5
PS Bob, is the shape of the rudder an early attempt at aerodynamic balancing? Now that is a question my grade 9 educated brain, even straining mightily, could not even begin to answer. I always thought aerodynamic balancing was something my ex did to my bank account. Bob
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scott
Senior Member
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Post by scott on Nov 2, 2009 23:38:57 GMT -5
Looks like it might have been made using those mail-order plans that used to be advertised in the back of magazines like Popular Mechanics. There were always ads for plans to build hovercraft, jet-engine go-carts, sailboats, etc. I always wondered if anybody really built any of those things.
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Post by drako on Nov 6, 2009 16:00:23 GMT -5
Here's the VW Ron referred to. This thing is in a wash in my area of Arizona. It is pummeled with rock from the rare times the wash has water moving in it. As in most areas of rural America, it is obvious people around here enjoy their guns.
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photax
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Post by photax on Nov 7, 2009 12:31:39 GMT -5
Drako, what a picture !, my son is currently desperately searching for a beetle bodywork, i think this one is for free Here is a picture (taken with a Rolleiflex 6x6) from the austrian rural area: Some funny guy tried to bury his beetle ( don`t know why ). And another weird austrian fellow forgott his Silver Shadow with open side windows and consequential moss-covered seats in the field. He should rename his car " Rust Shadow". MIK
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Nov 7, 2009 14:10:19 GMT -5
"Some funny guy tried to bury his beetle ( don`t know why )."
Dung Beetles burrow into ----- stuff ----- and make a ball out of it. How is that VW doing?
Mickey
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Post by drako on Nov 11, 2009 13:43:22 GMT -5
Wow, a rusting Rolls! Now that is true art - a real statement.
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Post by olroy2044 on May 16, 2012 19:53:36 GMT -5
Remember this post from quite a while back? I never got around to stopping for more pix. Now the entire bunch of stuff, a home and several other buildings have been destroyed in a massive fire with several explosions. YIKES! Sometimes one should not procrastinate. I'm glad I at least got the one pic. Roy
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