The Murphy Builders Site

20151225_104807_resized_1.jpg I can't resist the urge to show off these awesome gifts from my wife and daughter. Rocky Narrows Aviation is more of an idea than an actual entity. It is named after the spot we built our log house and now park our Rebel, in the summer any way. My daughter drew and dig...

Hello All, The other day I finally got around to addressing a significant leak in the second from the front float compartment on the passenger side. I gently pressurized the compartment with the shop-vac, then ran the seams and rivets and pretty much eveyything else with soapy water, looking for bub...

IMG_0549.JPG I have been hunting through some old photos looking for some guidance on improving the cooling with my "speed cowl". I found this one that gives a pretty good look at Walter's outlet and why it works so well.... its huge. So I guess I'll be back at the fiberglass soon. Pretty nice phot...

Hello again. I've been away from the list for a few days. Thanks for the comments on my extruded bracing wire idea. When time allows I'll hunt for them on hang glider sources. I hadn't thought of the flutter issue. If I find any I'll try them on my car/ roof-rack first. Now back to cleaning up the m...

Great topic. Now brace yourselves for topic creep. Seems there is some plastic expertise on this thread.... so maybe someone could answer a question I've wondered about for a long time. Why has no one made and sold a plastic extrusion, airfoil shaped, that could slip over the bracing wires on floats...

My set-up is similar to Walter's. The EI is on its own circuit with a pullable breaker so I can turn it on and off independent of the ignition switch. Seems to work well.
John

Don't want to rain on Biggus' parade, but I'd suggest you hold out for an O-320. Prince props are great, so are electronic ignitions, but they'll only give an incremental improvement. An O-320 will be a quantum leap. If you were flying at sea level, whole different story, but if I remember correctly...

Oh, and...

In my mind, the only reason not to go straight to VGs is so you can see the very significant improvement in handling and performance when you do add them. Profound improvement in slow speed handling and the plane no longer really stalls,it just mushes down.

John

My Rebel on Murphy 1800 amphibs had great off the water performance with an O-320/160 hp and a Borer 81x42 (down from 82x42). Cruise was slow...2400 rpm giving about 85-90 mph. Walter Klatt is a strong proponent of the Sensenich 74x 54, which he has done head to head comparisons with various popular...

Has any one had dealings with Saber Manufacturing for prop bolts? Much cheaper than conventional, but are they any good?

John

PS Looking for Sensenich 2.5" spacer and 1/2" bolts to go with it, if any of you are cleaning out the hangar.