Last Pathfinder, thread number 2

The original thread has gotten pretty long, so I thought it best to start a new one with these pictures from this past weekends sessions.

It's been slightly over a week since VSC, what a great time that was. I came back all pumped up, and ready to get back to this project, but it seems I picked up a cold or something and was a few days getting over it.

Gordan is progressing well, and should be ready to start covering soon. Me, I'm at the stage where there is a lot of little detail things that need attention.

Saturday was spent making a new set of flaps to replace the overweight, but very stiff, 3.6 oz originals. The new ones are a whopping 2 oz's lighter, and stiff enough.

Leather fillets were installed at the wing-fuse joint. Epoxy and micro balloons are used at the stab.

The canopy was cut from a 16 inch Sig canopy, so it looks like we won't have to pull our own this time.

Here are som pictures of Gordan's when it was all assembled for weighing.



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Here it is back on the stand for some final details. Notice the louvers on the hot air exhaust.




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This is mine before the main gear were made.



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Here it's sitting on the gear. The rear had to be blocked up as the engine is not installed.




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Here's a close up of the nose. It gives a good view of the cowl and canopy.




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How close are you guys to releasing plans?
Any update on possible kits?

Allan Perret

>How close are you guys to releasing plans?
>Any update on possible kits?
>
>Allan Perret

Allen, I answered tthis on the other post, but what the heck, I'll answer it here as well.

I've just finished the latest changes Gordy wanted from the building experience. He now needs to see and OK these changes. If there're no other changes needed, it could be soon. I've still a bunch of work to do on the laser cut files. I didn't want to do anything on them until the plans were in their final iteration.

It probably won't be letting the cat out of the bag too much to reveal that Gordan has given someone the OK to kit this plane. I'm not at liberty to divulge who at this time, but you now know that there will be a kit produced.

I can hardly wait to start flying and trimming mine out.

Hey John,

You aren't building that one on Gordan's drafting table by any chance, are you?

>Hey John,
>
>You aren't building that one on Gordan's drafting table by any
>chance, are you?

Oh, you heard about that, did you?

The planes are looking great. Anxious to see final product. Did I send you a copy of the photo I took?
DOC Holliday

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>The planes are looking great. Anxious to see final product.
>Did I send you a copy of the photo I took?
>DOC Holliday
>
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>

####, who is that old codger?

Allen,

The answer to your question about the plans being release. NO Plans will be released until all the test flights are done. I`m surprised that so many people want to build a plane that has never been flown. Very interesting,don`t you think?

Gordy.

Gordan,

Yea, but you're GORDAN DELANEY (cue the music). Of course it will fly brilliantly.




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Some days it seems like a coin toss between George Orwell and Monty Python...

>Gordan,
>
>Yea, but you're GORDAN DELANEY (cue the music). Of course it
>will fly brilliantly.


Yeah, but Gordy's a little nervous about it because it only has one engine.

The way Gordy can fly, one's enough.

mk

For the last two weekends, we've been wrapping up the construction of the Pathfinders proir to starting the covering and finish work.

They are both now covered with Polyspan and have several coats of clear applied.

At this time, mine weighs in at 34.6oz's without the engine package, or wheels, but does include the tank.

Gordan's wheighs about an ounce + less, but his engine package is heavier, so I estimate that they should be close to the same weight. Our design weight is 55 ounces, and should be met without too much difficulty.

This first picture shows the cockpit detail on mine, from the rear.


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Here's the side view before installing the canopy.




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Here's Gordan's on the paint stand. He's applying the silkspan to the fuse in this view.



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This is a graphic showing the color and trim scheme I'm considering for mine. The colors are Yellow, Green, Red, a little white, and black. The black will be where it shows white in the graphic.


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We're hoping to have them ready for the Northwest Regionals at the end of May.

Those waiting for release of the plans shouuld be able to get them by then. Thanks for your patience, and interest.

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Had to go see how heavy mine was getting. 31.2 oz. With covering on and two coats of dope.

Gordy

Hi John....wonderful build and very cool cockpit. How did you do the graphics on the pilots helmet. They actually look very crisp and nice

Thanks for the compliment, though it's undeserved, sadly. I was able to aquire the pilot, already finished in the package. I wish I could do that kind of work though