Latest from R Baslee

Brown Baron · 3 April 2005, 10:13 AM

On the net and found this photo and note. Simply amazing.

http://www.airdromeaeroplanes.com/im...7s-073-600.JPG

Lufbery · 3 April 2005, 03:04 PM

That's increadible!

Were they his own design, or the Graham Lee design, I wonder.

Thanks for the heads up.

Regards,

jumpinjan · 3 April 2005, 04:19 PM

Probably a derivative of the N24 kit
http://www.airdromeaeroplanes.com/images/n-24-5.JPG
A friend here near me, purchase a N24 kit and just spent a weekend at Baslee's workshop and trailered home to Ohio with a finished fuselage.

Lufbery · 4 April 2005, 07:42 AM

Hi Jan,

Needless to say, building four aircraft that look that good in that amount of time is a major accomplishment. I expect that they were all inspected and certified as airworthy, or maybe that will need to happen in England.

It's exciting to read that a movie about the Lafayette Escadrille is being made.

Regards,

Brad · 4 April 2005, 11:05 AM

Robert wouldn't build something that didn't look good. I don't think he knows how. Even the hidden bits are as good as the outside. He's like a violin builder, but he works in aluminum tube and cloth.

WarrenD · 4 April 2005, 02:44 PM

These are really beautiful a/c, I have always loved the lines of the Nieuport V-Strutters. I do have a question: While I realize that using a VW engine is economical, is there no way to economically fit a radial in one of these things? Of course I realize a radial is an anachronism, it at least looks like a "round engine".

Pardon My Ignorance,

Warren

jumpinjan · 4 April 2005, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarrenD

is there no way to economically fit a radial

No, there's no way (if I understand your question). A Rotec radial $14,000 is about the most economical & reliable way to go.

R Pope · 4 April 2005, 05:27 PM

Beautiful job! Even the thicker wings don't look too bad. Modern engine and airfoil are logical, sensible updates for a more practical flying machine that retains the old-timey flavour.

WarrenD · 5 April 2005, 07:28 AM

Thanks Jan, that answers my question. Now, knowing that a basic radial would cost me $14,000, what would the airframe, built up as these are, cost a feller? I do wonder, I mean, if I did win the Lotto, I would have to do something fun with the money, right?

Warren

Brad · 5 April 2005, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarrenD

Thanks Jan, that answers my question. Now, knowing that a basic radial would cost me $14,000, what would the airframe, built up as these are, cost a feller? I do wonder, I mean, if I did win the Lotto, I would have to do something fun with the money, right?

Warren

http://www.airdromeaeroplanes.com/nieuport24.htm

"Complete Airframe kit - $9495
All aluminum tubing to complete fuselage, wings, landing gear, cabines, lift struts, and formers. All aluminum sheet metal to construct gussets, cowling, & seat. All machined parts for control systems, lift struts, axles, and wings. All AN hardware to build aircraft, eye bolts, locknuts, thimbles, nico press swedges , aircraft cable (rudder cables, drag/anti/drag braces). Ball bearing rod ends for control system. Stainless steel pop rivets. Main wheels, tail wheel, spun aluminum nose bowl, plans and builders video. All covering supplies through silver."

"Deluxe Airframe Kit - $9995.00
(All welded components finished welded)
Deluxe kit consists of basic airframe kit plus engine mount and 10 gallon tank. Also available are optional 14 gallon tank and spun aluminum wheel covers."

Then you still have to build it. Note that these are for a Nieuport 24, but could built as other Nieuport versions... would cost a little extra to do something like a Nieuport 27 (material for formers and stringers, etc.)

Robert is really good about working with customers to get exactly what they want.

Brad