Airdrome Nieuport 17 - Florida Version

[Bookmaker]

Thanks for the info. I had not found that one.

[Dart]

Dawn Patrol tailwheel:

The Dawn Patrol FAQ

They don't speak to the mount, but there's a good picture of it in one of Dick Stark's books (I think it was the second one where he bent it at an airshow).

Plus if you root around on the site there are some pictures where it's pretty visible, both with and without the covering.

[Bookmaker]

Thanks for the link Dart. I am very familiar with the site. Real good info I have one of the books ans DVD set also. I recommend them.

Their tailwheel is purely functional and no where near original looking. I am hoping to marry design aspects of the original AA and Graham Lee hoop mount with other improvements to come up with something "sorta scale", but sturdy.

Regardless of the mount, I am looking at options for the actual wheel assembly. What Glenn linked to looks real nice.

When I get it cooked up, I'll pass it by Robert, then post drawings here.

Dale

[Dart]

LOL, the purely functional look is what appeals to me! Once one crosses the rubicon of a steerable tailwheel on a plane that normally would have a skid might as well take full license, IMHO.

Plus I reckon I'm going to need a tailwheel that is as robust as it can be!

We had a long conversation at our last EAA meeting about the Nieuport, with some cautionary tales gained from here and there, as well as questions on how to train for flying them.

I mollified the group somewhat by being able to speak to some of the tricksie bits, like NOT popping the tail up too soon on takeoff, but in the end had to shrug off the concerns.

The only way to really train to fly a single seat free flying rudder biplane is to fly the darned thing. I reckon that means taking it slow with a lot of taxi practice and having a solid, conservative test flight plan that is very strict in application and weather.

Got the table built for the wings yet? Get popping! We demand pictures!

[Bookmaker]

Pushy, Pushy. I warned you all this was a 3 year project.

Anyway, next build step on my list is the landing gear. But, before I can start those I have to get some parts. Unfortunately, the lower LG plates in my kit were mis-cut. Of the 4, no 2 are the same. Since these are cut on a computer driven plasma cutter, they should be identical, except for very slight differences caused when cleaning up edges. Robert is going to send me a new set. Also, since I am going with a more original tail gear mount/ location, I will be ording some tubing and plating material. Until I send Robert the list of what I want, and it gets here, no landing gear.

One area I may work on a little this weekend is finishing some riveting and cleaning up edges on the stab. Otherwise, this weekend,I plan to work on the landing gear on my 1/3 scale radio control PUP. I really need to finish the repairs in that and get it back in service.

Oh, as for flying the plane, there is a good writeup on the AA site about flying the Eindecker and the full flying rudder.

Dale

[RAF56_Ball]

Free vs fixed vs steerable tailwheels is almost like talking religion, but much less intense than "wheel landing" vs "3-point".

The main decision point should probably weigh heavily on what surfaces are you going to fly (wheel vs no wheel = paved vs unpaved), how much parking room (fixed vs free or steerable), and what is my skill level. Takes a bit more skill IMHO to do ground work with fixed, and that plus better brakes if freewheeling.
Have too much time and $$ in this replica to let pride help me turn it back into loose tubes and cloth. Since I am moderate time with training wheels and low time taildragger, I went with steerable, which is what most if not all instructors would favor.

[Bookmaker]

Good points Glenn. I will definitely have a steerable wheel. I just want it in approximately the location of the original skid. The units made up by AA for the steerable skids on the Flyboys planes are a good starting point for me.

[Dart]

I trust you took a lot of pictures of them!

Hey, super cool that the Flyboys Nieuports are hanging around.

Since I'll be on concrete 99% of the time, I gots to have that tailwheel, and definately need the steerable one for the same reason put above - low (less than 30) flight hours.

[Bookmaker]

You mean photos like these?









Unfortunately, Robert living on a gravel road in an agricultural area generates tons of dust.

This last one shows the sorta original looking tail skid.



My idea is to go with the central hoop, but then build teardrop shroud in the shape of the original. Then cut the leaf shorter and mount a wheel. Finally, box in the spring to look like a 2x4 wood skid.

I have the Rosendaal and Hardesty drawings, so I can get exact dimensions to work with.

Dale

[Dart]

That's a lot of dust on them!

Almost a shame to see them like that, but I got to thinking that a tarp would be a worse solution, as it would trap moisture underneath it.

Btw, kit for my N11 is ordered and we're trying to hammer down a date for me to go up to the HOP. Poor Robert is as busy as a one legged man at a butt kicking contest so I can certainly understand the difficulties in thinking eight weeks ahead when he's up to his rear end in alligators.

So far the list of mods from the plans you're anticipating are thus (by my reckoning):

Tailwheel design (which I think will be an elegant solution)
Rudder bar versus pedals
Brakes
Instruments clustered about rather than on a panel

I can't recall the powerplant you're going for.