HI from Australia

bootlegger · 26 July 2007, 05:58 AM

Hi my name is Dave Pagano. Im 40 years old and located in Sydney Australia. I literally stumbled onto this board. Ever since I was a Kid I have been addicted to aircraft. I have a small business restoring old cars and antique speedboats and have been an aeromodellor practically all my life. I recently restored for myself a Rolls Merlin powered Hydroplane and am keen to start a new project. A customer commissioned me to build a replica 1929 Heath Baby bullet Pylon racer but sadly the job was cancelled when he got Cancer. I was hoping to build a Weddell Williams or Mystery ship Pylon racer from the 30's but havent been able to get any plans ( does anyone out there know of any?). Recently I was looking around an Old guys workshop when I discovered a full set of plans for a Full sized 1916 Roland VI biplane. Suddenly I became keen to build a WWI Fighter particularly since the fuselage is built like a boat. I would love to find an original powerplant for the project but realise there is almost no chance. I have available 2 Gypsy Queen 6 cylinder air cooled motors which I thought I could run with the cooling fins up (upside down). I even thought I might be able to make water cooled cylinders and in some way give it an authentic look. Although I know I have the practical skills to do this Im still keen to get some feedback about such a daunting project. I have never built a full sized flying aircraft before. Any advice would be appreciated. Dave

Jurgen Fliegler · 26 July 2007, 06:07 AM

Hello Dave and welcome to the Aerodrome. I believe that you can find a lot of info in here, but add your post to a sector of the forum that is more related to your research - aircraft, replicas or so. That will get you faster answers, by people that are more experienced in such matters.

Regards and welcome again!

Der Grüne Flieger · 26 July 2007, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bootlegger

Hi my name is Dave Pagano. Im 40 years old and located in Sydney Australia. I literally stumbled onto this board. Ever since I was a Kid I have been addicted to aircraft. I have a small business restoring old cars and antique speedboats and have been an aeromodellor practically all my life. I recently restored for myself a Rolls Merlin powered Hydroplane and am keen to start a new project. A customer commissioned me to build a replica 1929 Heath Baby bullet Pylon racer but sadly the job was cancelled when he got Cancer. I was hoping to build a Weddell Williams or Mystery ship Pylon racer from the 30's but havent been able to get any plans ( does anyone out there know of any?). Recently I was looking around an Old guys workshop when I discovered a full set of plans for a Full sized 1916 Roland VI biplane. Suddenly I became keen to build a WWI Fighter particularly since the fuselage is built like a boat. I would love to find an original powerplant for the project but realise there is almost no chance. I have available 2 Gypsy Queen 6 cylinder air cooled motors which I thought I could run with the cooling fins up (upside down). I even thought I might be able to make water cooled cylinders and in some way give it an authentic look. Although I know I have the practical skills to do this Im still keen to get some feedback about such a daunting project. I have never built a full sized flying aircraft before. Any advice would be appreciated. Dave

Hi Dave,

Welcome to the site. You will find there are a lot of guys in Australia and NZ that are building replicas.

For plans and info. on something other than the Roland, you want to go to World War 1 Aero (AEROPLANES - MASTER MATERIALS LIST.) Leo Opdycke is the editor and the postal address is World War 1 Aeroplanes, Inc., Dept. MML, 15 Crescent Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. You will have to write or call him if you need more info than what is on the site.

I am interested in one of those Gypsy Queens, as I am building an Albatros D series fighter. I've sent you an EM on the subject.

Regards,
Phil

Roadhog · 27 July 2007, 10:46 PM

Welcome Dave, I think that you'll find all of the help you are looking for here in the Forum, especially the replica aircraft section. My father was a Marine in WW II and was wounded five times. Once he was sent to recover in Australia. Dad came home and said that you Diggers were the kindest, most friendly people he had ever met in his life.

Until the day he died in 1972, he had a soft spot in his heart for your countrymen. Thank you. VR Scott Price, a.k.a. Roadhog

tcrean7828 · 27 July 2007, 10:51 PM

Mate,

welcome abord.

cul

tcrean7828

tom

Sreiko · 28 July 2007, 12:04 AM

Hi Dave and be sure that you are joined to the very nice place

bootlegger · 28 July 2007, 06:10 AM

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. Regarding the Aussies looking after the Yanks. Ive been to the states a few times and have been looked after really well litterally by absolute strangers. So well that they have become lifelong friends. When I get more into my project Ill be seeking heaps of advice. Thanks again. Dave

Kilian · 28 July 2007, 02:11 PM

Hello bootlegger welcome to the forums