My Bristol Fighter Project

TSJohnson · 15 September 2009, 02:01 PM

Hello fellow Great War Aviation enthusiasts,

Starting a new thread relating to my Bristol F.2b replica project. The first of many such projects I hope! While I greatly admire and respect the work of the replica builders who have elected to use original materials and traditional techniques I designed my aircraft to incorporate modern materials and methods for greater safety, maintainability and relaibility. The best 18 months has been spent creating the design using CAD. The drawing sets are now complete and it's time to build!

I designed my aircraft to utilize the aluminum tube and gusset method of construction employed in similar replica aircraft, but with a couple significant differences. Only aircraft materials and hardware will be used in the construction of my aircraft. She is also full sized, not a scaled down version. My choice of powerplant is a modern FAA certificated engine and prop combination. Why build a two seater? Because with a two seater we can share the wonderful experience of flying one of these great aircraft.

Construction of the prototype is scheduled to commence October 1st. I will post updates here as progress is made.

Chocks Away!

Tom Johnson
Founder, Great War Replica Aircraft
att.net">GWRA@att.net

Chock · 15 September 2009, 02:08 PM

I hope you do post pics of it and your progress, that'd be interesting to see. Good luck with the build.

Al

RobW · 15 September 2009, 04:04 PM

Tom,
Where are you building this plane?

Rob

TSJohnson · 15 September 2009, 04:50 PM

Chocks, RobW,

Cheers for the good wishes. I do indeed intend to post pics as I progress.

My company is located in Eastern Kansas.

Tom

Joe Perkel · 16 September 2009, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSJohnson

Hello fellow Great War Aviation enthusiasts,

Starting a new thread relating to my Bristol F.2b replica project. The first of many such projects I hope! While I greatly admire and respect the work of the replica builders who have elected to use original materials and traditional techniques I designed my aircraft to incorporate modern materials and methods for greater safety, maintainability and relaibility. The best 18 months has been spent creating the design using CAD. The drawing sets are now complete and it's time to build!

I designed my aircraft to utilize the aluminum tube and gusset method of construction employed in similar replica aircraft, but with a couple significant differences. Only aircraft materials and hardware will be used in the construction of my aircraft. She is also full sized, not a scaled down version. My choice of powerplant is a modern FAA certificated engine and prop combination. Why build a two seater? Because with a two seater we can share the wonderful experience of flying one of these great aircraft.

Construction of the prototype is scheduled to commence October 1st. I will post updates here as progress is made.

Chocks Away!

Tom Johnson
Founder, Great War Replica Aircraft
att.net">GWRA@att.net

Hi Tom

The Brisfit is a beauty, one that I considered myself and did have the opportunity to discuss with Ed Storo his replica in 4130 steel tube some years ago. He said it was a dream to fly ("Handled like a Cub") is how he put it. Then of course, he went and sold it to that fellow in New Zealand,..an apparent collector of such things

I ruled it out as not wanting to go through the same Ranger inversion pains as he did.

A couple of questions if I may......

- Where did you locate source drawings?

- Do you plan an original airfoil shape?, With a 39' wingspan, what spar materials and sizes allow for this profile?

- Is there another existing design with a 25' fuselage utilizing Al tube / gusset construction that may serve as a template for your design, or do you intend as you indicated to prototype?

- Have you a target gross weight?

Welcome to the forum, and best of luck on the Brisfit.

TSJohnson · 16 September 2009, 05:08 PM

Hi Joe,

Looks like we travel in similar circles.

I have been corresponding with Ed Storo myself. We talked about his aeroplane, construction materials and methods, airfoils, engines (he suggested a DH Gypsy Queen) and flight characteristics. He used the same phrase to describe it, "Flies just like a Cub". Very nice fellow, he is now working on a Bristol Bulldog. Should be a beautiful aeroplane, the original certainly was.

Source drawings are available through the National Archives in the UK. (Not an inexpensive proposition.) WWI Aero also has some available. I also have copies of original drawings from Ed, Windsock Datafiles of course and a set from W.A. Wylam although that set is full of inaccuracies. A few years back I lived and worked in London and was out at every weekend to the wonderful museums there. Took several hundreds of pictures! That really helped when I got stuck on a drawing, I could refer to a picture of the original and suss it out.

I am using the RAF-16 airfoil. I studied a number of profiles and considered the mod-Clark-Y but went with the RAF-16 in the end. Everything else looked too thick. Spars will be built up of .125" 2024-T3 with 1.5" x 1.5" x .125" aluminum angle riveted along the top and bottom of the web similar to a Piper Cherokee spar on steroids. Overkill? Probably, but if I build a fighter I want to be able to fly her like a fighter. Just in case I get jumped over the fron, mind you.

I've looked at loads of designs as I'm sure you have, and decided to Prototype my own design. Just couldn't find what I wanted. Target maximum gross weight with a crew of two is near 2400 lbs, still about 550 lbs less than the original. Planning to use a Continental IO-360 for power. Ed said his Ranger was of similar power output and she flew very well. I'm an A&P and have overhauled Rangers with advice from Joe Denest. They are only good for 700 hours if you are VERY careful. So I went with the Continental for maintainability and reliability reasons. The engine width will just fit into the cowl and it can swing the same size prop as the Ranger.

Currently searching for a source for wheels. Got a few leads today from some great guys at the EAA. We'll see how that pans out. I need a 19" x 6" wheel. Plan to mount brakes as well. Any ideas on that front?

Thanks for your interest,

Tom

Joe Perkel · 16 September 2009, 05:38 PM

Tom,

Been the UK route for a few drawings myself, yes...ouch! Still, a very good and stable source. Wish I could go myself, perhaps one day I will.

Can't speak to the wheels sorry, much too far off for me, I've seen reference here to sources in the past, look at the source threads at the top of this replica forum.

Quote:

So I went with the Continental for maintainability and reliability reasons.

Power's been giving me acid for awhile now, finally decided to go steel tube with the Skybolt as a template to give me options down the line. I don't have the nerve to go too far out on my own.

Moving away from internal authenticity as you have in favor of modernization. Something Machinebird said some time ago stuck in my craw

Quote:

,.."Once you've decided your replica belongs in the air, that sets the path".

So will do to the Baby what GWFM did with the Strutter, only I want a new engine.

Gathering tools and supplies now, finally have shop access!

Keep in touch.

TSJohnson · 16 September 2009, 06:17 PM

Hi Joe,

Yeah brother! I agonized for a long, long time over the choice to depart from the 100% authentic path. Just looking at the Albatros threads with Herr Mayrhofer and Chris/Sheppo's work is awe inspiring. (Makes me feel like a blasphemer, well almost). I've worked on antiques, vintage, warbirds and was a fighter mechanic turned C-130 Flight Engineer in the USAF. So I guess somewhere along the line the maintenance guy in me took over. I wanted the reliability and safety that can only be had using a modern engine and prop, systems, brakes and a VFR instrument panel that I could sneak a GPS into so I can fly to Oshkosh and Dayton when I am ready. From 10 feet away my bird will look like she just flew in from the Western Front, under the skin she'll be all new.

I've been researching and learning for many, many years. I eventually would like to market my aircraft designs in the experimental aircraft niche so safety and reliabiltiy are huge considerations.

Tom

hector · 17 September 2009, 05:26 AM

I don't blame you for going down the route of non original construction for your F2b, I had an original fuselage & many other parts which have now gone to the states, & I still have a few original bits left to this day. The copies of original drawings that I had were incomplete & I couldn't find much for the early type control fittings or fuselage bracketry "the later ones differed greatly", whilst it didn't matter too much for the fuselage as I had nearly all the original fittings, the controls were a different matter entirely.
I would be very interested to hear what you have managed to acquire in the way of drawings, I know that there were some around for the American built examples but I was never able to find them.
I wish you well with you project & hope that it will fly as good as the originals were supposed to.
Cheer's.
Bob.

TSJohnson · 17 September 2009, 05:58 PM

Thanks Bob. Words of encouragement go a long way. The best selection of drawings is available from the National Archives of the UK. But they don't come cheap 7 pound 50 per drawing and there are about fifty drawings available. If you are interested I can send you a url and a drawing list.