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N44VY · 18 September 2009, 03:38 AM

The above photos show center section development, and highlight the slightly different path I've chosen. The control stick has been modified so that the wheel controls the ailerons via pulleys and cable. There will be rudder pedals and "de-tuned" Cleveland brakes. The engine is a 400 hour TT C-125-2 with a 6" Saber Mfg. Hub Extension driving an Ed Sterba pusher prop. The radiator will be a clad shell only and will probably house a few circuit breakers and relays, maybe a radio and transponder. (It appears I'll have to add those concessions to satisfy TSA. The Curtiss could possibly be confused as a terrorist weapon, otherwise.) The remainder of the airframe is built to replicate the exact configuration of the Ely-Curtiss Pusher, as flown onto USS Pennsylvania on January 18, 1911. I am using archival US Navy photographs to authenticate the design, along with assistance from the Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport and Vet Thomas' extensive research and experience. The Ely-Curtiss Pusher of 1911 was unique in several ways, which I will initially replicate. If test flying proves design or performance flaws, I'll have to make changes. That's for next year. For now, the front elevator will have the top sail only, a single bamboo rod from the nose wheel fork and tip mounted brace wires. The main wheels will have forked radius rods attached to one of the front wing panel bolts and a second straight rod attached to the other bolt. The engine bay will be as with the "Military Model D", with steel tube X-bracing supplementing the wire rope and turnbuckle bracing. The wings will replicate the Ely-Curtiss and the "Military Model D" with the addition of two 30 inch wing bays between the two 60 inch bays on each side. A glaring omission, though, will be the two well dented floation tanks under the lower center section. I will wear the bicycle inner tubes, of course, but I just cannot hang a single additional ounce on that center section! The Continental weighs less than an OX-5 with all its radiator and plumbing, which helps. Still, I am amazed at the delicacy, to put it mildly, of construction. Since I dream of flying the daylights out of this plane, some original touches, such as the floats, will have to go.

This replication might cause some to cringe. I think it would make Glenn Curtiss proud. After all, his early Pushers were all unique, evolving, flying experiments. If you're wildly incensed, I'll throw you a challenge. Build an absolute exact duplicate, perfect in every respect, and come fly with me!

Note to realists: I have no doubts that this adventure could end in the trees, so to speak. Of that I harbor no illusions. The important thing is to try. If it flies, it will fly - and a lot! What say you? Bob

18 September 2009, 03:38 AM	#11 (permalink)
N44VY Observer Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Shenandoah Valley Posts: 58	Notes on the Build-Out The above photos show center section development, and highlight the slightly different path I've chosen. The control stick has been modified so that the wheel controls the ailerons via pulleys and cable. There will be rudder pedals and "de-tuned" Cleveland brakes. The engine is a 400 hour TT C-125-2 with a 6" Saber Mfg. Hub Extension driving an Ed Sterba pusher prop. The radiator will be a clad shell only and will probably house a few circuit breakers and relays, maybe a radio and transponder. (It appears I'll have to add those concessions to satisfy TSA. The Curtiss could possibly be confused as a terrorist weapon, otherwise.) The remainder of the airframe is built to replicate the exact configuration of the Ely-Curtiss Pusher, as flown onto USS Pennsylvania on January 18, 1911. I am using archival US Navy photographs to authenticate the design, along with assistance from the Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport and Vet Thomas' extensive research and experience. The Ely-Curtiss Pusher of 1911 was unique in several ways, which I will initially replicate. If test flying proves design or performance flaws, I'll have to make changes. That's for next year. For now, the front elevator will have the top sail only, a single bamboo rod from the nose wheel fork and tip mounted brace wires. The main wheels will have forked radius rods attached to one of the front wing panel bolts and a second straight rod attached to the other bolt. The engine bay will be as with the "Military Model D", with steel tube X-bracing supplementing the wire rope and turnbuckle bracing. The wings will replicate the Ely-Curtiss and the "Military Model D" with the addition of two 30 inch wing bays between the two 60 inch bays on each side. A glaring omission, though, will be the two well dented floation tanks under the lower center section. I will wear the bicycle inner tubes, of course, but I just cannot hang a single additional ounce on that center section! The Continental weighs less than an OX-5 with all its radiator and plumbing, which helps. Still, I am amazed at the delicacy, to put it mildly, of construction. Since I dream of flying the daylights out of this plane, some original touches, such as the floats, will have to go. This replication might cause some to cringe. I think it would make Glenn Curtiss proud. After all, his early Pushers were all unique, evolving, flying experiments. If you're wildly incensed, I'll throw you a challenge. Build an absolute exact duplicate, perfect in every respect, and come fly with me! Note to realists: I have no doubts that this adventure could end in the trees, so to speak. Of that I harbor no illusions. The important thing is to try. If it flies, it will fly - and a lot! What say you? Bob