Hangar 9 PT-19 and EVO 36 engine

Assembled the kit with just a few challenges. The instructions indicate that the inboard wing panel is longer than the outboard. It appears that my wing has equal panels (at least that's how I installed it!). They have now taken the time to make the 'flats' on the landing gear to secure the set screws. Nice touch. Getting the control rod into the middle bellcrank hole was a bit difficult. The supplied rod was bent opposite to the illustration. With a bit of force on the bellrcank it finally popped into place. All line terminations were crimped just as a precaution. The covering job was excellent with no wrinkles. Wing was dead straight. I used longer 1/8" aluminum pads on both sides of the motor mounts due to personal preference. After the first flight nose weight was added, muffler pressure hooked up, leadouts were moved further back and the supplied handle was exchanged for one with closer spacing. The result was a very nice flying plane with excellent line tension even in the overhead eights. Squares are actually fun to fly. The EVO engine didn't want to start at first. A K&B 1L plug was installed and it started on the second flip. One tank was run on the ground and then we flew it. We put in seven flights today with five different pilots. We all liked it. Prop was a Zinger 11-5 and launched at 8,600 rpm. There is still some sorting out to do (different props, CG and fuel) but so far the PT-19 and EVO 36 combo gets our approval. Hangar 9 is to be congratulated for doing a fine job on the plane and engine. As a side note, the EVO 36 in my Primary Force has more time on it and is a one-flip starting engine.

Just finished a PT-19. What a pain in the butt installing the pushrod! Had to bend an angle into the bellcrank end wire to get it to not bind up on the bellcrank mount. This I did AFTER getting the rod into the bellcrank, a story in itself. Once in, no way to get it out without some major surgery. Rod would have gone in easily from the exposed side, but then wouldn't have matched the cutout in the sheeting and would have interferred with bellcrank movement.

The only flaw in an otherwise rapid assembly.

Now that it's together, time to get out and fly it! Looking forward to it.

don Burke
Menifee, CA
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, WOO HOO, What a Ride!