The Murphy Builders Site

I am pleased to announce that N454RW will be taking it's first flight within the next couple of days. This has been a monumental project, as we all have experienced, but am very pleased with the results which has produced an outstanding aircraft. Local sentiments are that this is "One bad ass airplane"! I would concur. It is powered by a Rodec Aluminum block (Chevy 350) of 450 hp, swinging an 82 inch Hartzell hydraulic prop, with a Firewall Forward Cam 500 PSRU. I hand built the custom fiberglass cowling ( a year in the works!) to provide a more streamlined profile for better performance and appearance. Engine cooling is provided by a belly scoop and an updraft airflow exiting the gills on the trailing edge of the cowl. Gills provide about 150% exit flow as compared to intake. The prop has a 3" hub extension contributing to the long nose and turbinesque look. A talented friend contributed to the building of four into one headers (ceramic coated in and out) for both performance and appearance as well, that sound great and somewhat surprisingly are not all that loud. I am thinking that I should put any number of "NO JET A" placards on it given the very turbine look!

Anyway, wanted to share with all of you and will certainly report performance numbers with this unique powerplant and prop configuration. I recently purchased a set of amphibs as well...since I will shortly be moving back to the Pacific Northwest and it seemed criminal to not join the rest of you who have inspired me with all of your water flying adventures.

Ray Watson

WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Looks FABULOUS Ray !!! :thumbup:


I trust it'll fly as GOOD as it looks too !


Keep us all posted on your trails ....


Rick in Orrrstraylya

PS : Ray ..... MY initials are R J W ............. H
( Richard John William Harper )

( or Dick, Jack, Bill as some call me )

SaaaaahhhhhWEEEEETTTTTT!!!! Dang, that is one very nice looking plane!! Congrats!

Thanks guys...kind of excited with how it has come together, and trust that it will perform as well!

Ray

It looks great -- love the non-standard paint color. I'm jealous, just now mounting my wings. Let us know how it flies.
Best,
Jerry

Wow, a beautiful airplane. Something to be proud of. I hope you can post a video once you're flying; I would love to hear how it sounds.

Thank you Tim. I am proud of how it has turned out and look forward to it being a great performer. Sound is like a V8 Harley...throaty and powerful. Hope to get some videos later this summer once the first test hours are completed.

Ray

Thank you Jerry. I used a recent Jeep color...Mango Tango Pearl. It really pops in the light and is highly visible for the back country. I guess that makes this a Mango Tango Moose! Will give some reports as I get some time in it over the next few weeks.

Ray

Man, that's a great looking plane! Can't wait for the videos! Craig

Thanks Craig! Looking forward to getting in the air and many adventures...videos to follow!

Ray

Beautiful, I hope to see this sometime!

Great looking plane, may you have many hours of great flying!!!!

Wow Ray
That looks great
I'm in the Bellingham area
Look me up if you come close to there