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for <murphy-rebel@dcsol.com>; Mon, 29 Mar 1999 10:17:13 +1200 (NZST)
Message-Id: <199903282217.KAA04780@callisto.net.voyager.co.nz>
From: "Alister Yeoman" <yeoman@voyager.co.nz>
To: "Murphy Rebel" <murphy-rebel@dcsol.com>
Subject: Re: Swing up doors & exhausts
Date: Mon, 29 Mar 1999 10:16:53 +1200
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Hi Bob,
Thanks for the info on that, you're right, the Rebel is just the neatest as
it is! I should know I did 16 hrs just last week!! that was Fun!!!
I thought I might just mention a problem I've found with the cross over
exhaust system supplied with the streamlined cowl, it would be interesting
to see if any one else has had the same problem.
A couple of weeks ago I blew an exhaust gasket on no. 2 cylinder, I didn't
think too much of it, I just replaced it and made a mental note to keep an
eye on it thinking the surface on the cylinder may not be perfect.
About 10hrs later I blew another on the same cylinder ( you can hear them
popping when they go), this time both studs had been pulled out of the
cylinder.
This was a puzzle to me, but luck was with me as I was on the airstrip of a
friend that I used to compete against at aerobatics, he reckoned he had the
same problem with his Pitts.
He had a cross over exhaust of the same type of design, he had a lot of
trouble for about 12 months with pulled studs and cracked welds on the pipe
etc.
He came to the conclusion that the slip joint under the motor where it
cosses to the cylinder on the other side was jamming. To rectify this he
polished both the mating surfaces and covered the surfaces with coppercoat
lubricant. He felt the coppercoat would eventually disappear but it would
assist the two surfaces to bed in. He had no problems after that.
We did the same fix to my aircraft and so far it has been OK, but it is
still early days.
I do wonder as my exhaust is made out of mild steel rather than stainless,
is it going to be more susceptible to this problem because of rusting.
Is there anyone out there that has seen this or can help with this problem
in any way?
Alister
----------
effort.From: Bob Patterson <bob.patterson@canrem.com>
To: Murphy Rebel <murphy-rebel@dcsol.com>
Subject: Re: Swing up doors
Date: Sunday, March 28, 1999 5:30 AM
Hi Alister !
Have seen at least 4 different variations on swing-up doors. Most have
gas struts, which means you can't latch them to the bottom of the wing.
Don't know of anyone who has flown with them open without being latched.
One consideration is making the windows hinge upward, as well, as
this makes them easier to manage - if the window is open, & latched to
the wing, you can then just swing the door up, as well....
Most folks have had to carve out about a 4" chunk at the bottom front
of the door, to clear the strut, although others have just raised the
whole door sill.
Swing-up doors do make it a little easier for seaplane use, but NONE
of the guys here on floats or amphibs have swing up doors ! I haven't
really had any problem with mine, either way, and it IS a LOT of work
to change the doors, as well as adding weight.
I don't want to take anything away from some of the excellent work
that has gone into some of the door mechanisms, or other improvements
that have been done, but they DO involve a LOT of extra planning &
!!My suggestion is to go with the standard doors, get it flying (!!) -
then change it later, IF it needs it !!
Too many builders get caught up in "improving" the Rebel for imagined
reasons, then complain that it's taking too long to build and weighs too
much !! Things like electric flaps are neat, and I have seen several very
nice installations - I have also seen some that were downright dangerous
especiallyIf you LIKE to tinker, and don't care how long it takes to build your
Rebel, by all means, indulge yourself - that's the advantage of a
home-built, but please, be careful !!
The standard flaps work fine IF you change the handle to a more-ergonomic
"L" shape, and add an extra hole for negative, if you have a large enough
engine ! (If it ain't broke, don't fix it !)
Hopefully, as builders get more feedback from flying Rebels,
maintenancefolks like you who are really USING the airplane, they will realize that
most of their fears were unnecessary - it really IS ok, the basic
engineering IS sound, and the Rebel flies great !!
There ARE things that we have learned (recently) that DO help
and durability, and these are relatively easy to do while building - just
ask the other builders - folks like yourself !! Some other things I see
people doing to correct imagined problems are actually going to CAUSE
real problems later !
Every 'little' "improvement" usually results in several more changes
being needed down the road - more weight, more complications, more time,
and possibly much more difficult to repair later, as standard parts will
no longer fit . These things can also effect resale value, insurance
costs, and cause difficulties in checking other people out to fly your
Rebel....
Sorry - better get off my soap box !! It's just that the Rebel is
SUCH a good flying airplane, right out-of-the-box !!!! (Of course,
ANYTHING can be made BETTER ....) :-)
.....bobp
--------------------------------orig.----------------------------------
At 10:21 AM 3/27/99 +1200, you wrote:Hi there,
I have been asked by another Rebel builder to enquire about the swing up
doors that appear to be around.
Are they any good? are they easier to operate? can they be opened in
flight? any feedback on this would be appreciated.
thanks
Alister
email: yeoman@voyager.co.nz
