Roland's SE5a

16 October 2006, 11:05 AM

Hi Roland,
I live in Fort Worth, Texas and I've been looking for a WW1 replica I could build and possibly stand a chance of flying (no Fokker Triplanes!). Your plane is probably the best design I've seen for what I want

. I'm an A&P and have built several homebuilts now but nothing to challenge my welding and woodworking skills. Do you know anyone who has the plans for your SE-5? the steel tube fuselage and more modern airfoil are definately the way to go. Do you ever get down here to Texas? Robert

Roland Gilliam · 16 October 2006, 05:03 PM

Hello Robert,

I have been asked that question numerous times and at this time, I don't know of any. I think I can find a set but it will take me a week or so to find out for sure. Watch the forum and I will post the results of what I can find as soon as I can.
I don't get out there very often but I may have to bring a R 985 Pratt for my Stearman somewhere in your area for rebuild within the next year. Know anyone ?? I bought the Stearman outside of Lubbock.

Regards.

Roland

Major Larabee · 16 October 2006, 11:38 PM

hi Rolland
I have been i contact with Parks Air College regards the drawings for your A/C, they were very helpfull but say they have no drawings. They suggested contacting Don Hickman. They gave me an address for him but i havent contacted him as yet, if you find out more i would be interested

Roland Gilliam · 17 October 2006, 02:36 AM

Hello again,

I just found out last night that the plans were destroyed.

I'm getting some pictures of the construction stages. Will post when I get them. I would think that you could take a set of replicraft plans, these pictures, and maybe a few measurements off mine , and come up with a set of working drawings. I did find that the airfoil is a Clarke 4412. This airfoil was wind tunnel tested a Parks College.

Regards,

Roland

17 October 2006, 07:23 AM

Hello Roland,
Thanks for the info on the plans, I'll check with Replicraft, I may end up speaking with the Aeronautical Engineering School at UT Arlington to see if any of the students would be interested in helping me with a project of this magnitude, I've been a Mechanical Designer for 15 years at least the design and drafting end of it would'nt be any problem. I am still stumped about what to use for power though. I don't know of anyone doing radial rebuilds that I would trust except you might ask Air Repair in Mississippi, they restore Stearmans as a full-time business, they advertise in trade-a-plane.
Regards, Robert

Major Larabee · 17 October 2006, 11:25 AM

Hi Rolland
Thats a real shame, i have the Replicraft Drawings so may well go down that route. Have you tried Covington Engines for your 985?

Roland Gilliam · 17 October 2006, 02:18 PM

Covington is who rebuilt it about 850 hrs ago, also about 26 years ago. I'm fighting with myself as to fly as is or at least have someone tear it down and look at it . Covington is on my list of companies. Sometimes there are guys out there that are real pros but you have to "sniff" them out. Thats the reason I asked the question.

Thanks for the reply,

Roland

Brad · 18 October 2006, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VK Triplane 101

Hi Roland,
I live in Fort Worth, Texas and I've been looking for a WW1 replica I could build and possibly stand a chance of flying (no Fokker Triplanes!). Your plane is probably the best design I've seen for what I want

. I'm an A&P and have built several homebuilts now but nothing to challenge my welding and woodworking skills. Do you know anyone who has the plans for your SE-5? the steel tube fuselage and more modern airfoil are definately the way to go. Do you ever get down here to Texas? Robert

Have you considered any of the aluminum tube and fabric types (Airdrome or Circa) that can be built easily, quickly, and are pretty convincing replicas... even the reduced scale birds?

I'm building a Graham Lee (Circa Reproductions) 7/8 scale Siemens Schuckert DI, and I'm in Ft. Worth near Keller.

Brad

Roland Gilliam · 7 December 2006, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VK Triplane 101

Hi Roland,
I live in Fort Worth, Texas and I've been looking for a WW1 replica I could build and possibly stand a chance of flying (no Fokker Triplanes!). Your plane is probably the best design I've seen for what I want

. I'm an A&P and have built several homebuilts now but nothing to challenge my welding and woodworking skills. Do you know anyone who has the plans for your SE-5? the steel tube fuselage and more modern airfoil are definately the way to go. Do you ever get down here to Texas? Robert

Robert,

I'm sure you saw that the plans were destroyed. There is a fuselage in Kansas City that is just like mine. If you want , I can get a phone number for him. Let me know.

Roland