"Down Under" Rebel

Rick Harper · Post by **Rick Harper** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 5:39 pm

Dear fellow Rebel builders ;

G'day from the land of OZ (Australia)

Firstly ,..let me explain that I have only JUST realised that there was ANOTHER discussion group
regarding Rebel aircraft....this one ! (Murphy-Rebel@dcsol.com)

I am NO computer guru....I use it really only use it for e-mailing friends and fellow Rebel builders...
I don't as a rule, spend hours "surfing" and looking into every nook and cranny of web sites.....
(I don't have a lot of spare time between working long hours on a boat (my job) , working
a small business at home and building the plane).... but I just did , and found HEAPS of
information that I never knew existed !
I WISH I had been aware about the amount of information on tap a l...o...n....g time ago !
............(which is fool me for not exploring some sites fully at an earlier date).
I just scoured the Murphy home page (which has grown immensely since I last took a good look
at it), and found things like Wray Thompson's web site (which is excellent also) and found hundreds
of discussion papers on various Rebel problems, modifications and fixes.

(I have yet to find anything regarding a second skin / tailwrap reinforcement at the tailwheel
mount area though).

I recently wrote an article for the "Flying-Rebels" group outlining a "Main gear strut failure" on
Earl Leamans Rebel (which I had just read in the Rebel Rouser magazine , and my annoyance
that we, (the builders) , have to hear about "this kind of thing via the grapevine".....to which came
a VERY quick reply (which always makes me suspicious) from MAM through Grant McDaniel / Technical Support Department / Murphy Aircraft Manufacturing.

I've not conversed with Grant before.....G'day Grant !.....(I'm sure you'll read this letter as soon
as I post it to the group).....but let me state here and now for all to understand, that I'm a
"I wear my heart on my sleeve" kind of person.
If it needs to be said , I'll say it ! (hopefully I'll "say it" with as much of the facts in hand as I can ascertain before I open my mouth.....but some times that isn't always possible due to a lack of
"up front" information that some of us perceive existing.

I make no bones about the fact that I'm less than 100% happy with MAM's support of our building
project "way down here in the back of beyond" ....as are a number of fellow builders we have
spoken to. (I'd like to say thanks to Bob Patterson at this point for jumping in and being the
excellent help that he is to so many builders). Most staffers at MAM have been very helpful
(G'day Elaine), some have been fairly helpful most of the time and some have been "about
as useful as tits on a bull"...but they still have a LOT to learn if they are going to present to
the public a face that is 100% effective and "as good as it can be".....(assuming here that MAM actually HAS a Public Relations section).

I'm not going to get on a high horse in this column about my own personal disappointments
regarding MAM, but if anyone wants to write to me and discuss them....thats up to you.

My wife and I are still very happy with our choice of aircraft , the Rebel IS an excellent aircraft
and even Richard Van Grunsven (the designer of the RV series aircraft), has stated to our friend
Jon Johanson (remember the ozzie who flew around the world twice in a homebuilt RV4 a few years back), that "outside of an RV, the Rebel is the next best value for money on the market".....
Not bad praise from a guy who's designs have sold reportedly 7000 aircraft kits & plans !

I appreciate where Grant states that many of Alister Yeoman's problems stem from what most
would call unique and severe operating conditions....but we are not uneducated fools incapable
of discerning WHAT modifications are relevant to us in our particular application. All builders
should be made aware of modifications and WHY they were introduced....and be your own judge
as to their relevance in YOUR instance.

Such is the beauty of forums like this one and the internet....there are no secrets these days, so
why not be up front with everything. I'm sure most, if not all, would have greater respect for MAM
if this were the case.

I am STILL trying to find some way of contacting Earl Leaman so I can find out more details
regarding his main gear failure......anyone out there got an e-mail or snailmail (post) address
for Earl ??? or even a phone number !
Can anyone send me a diagram of WHAT and WHERE things let go !?
(And yes, I AM aware that his failure was due to a "hard" landing).

I also found a reply to my letter "Rebel Problems" from Ken Lehman....thanks Ken !
Ken states that MAM mailed him a "floatfix reinforcement" sheet which covered some
of the modifications I mentioned.......I'd like to state here that I, (and probably non of the other
Rebel builders here in Australia), received the same advice letter.
I also didn't receive any advice from MAM that the corner wraps from the door frame to the firewall
needed to be replaced with thicker ones (though in all fairness this modification might have been
standard practice by the time our kit (541R) was sent out !)....anyone out there know ?!?

I REALLY like Ken's idea or a "Checklist" printed and updated for all to see regarding
"fixes" and "updates" for the Rebel, so we can all be aware of possible improvements.

We tend to get very "left out in the rain" down here in Australia.....which may be in part due
to our last Rebel agent .....who has now sold out to a new agent Ted Seymour.
Ted has already chased up and rung every builder in Australia to ask where we were all up to in
construction and how he could possibly help......Now THERE'S a man with some business acumen !

On a different note : A few months ago, I posted a redesigned Flap Handle on the
"Flying Rebels" page....pictures and plan drawings.
I redesigned the handle to be a "pull down to get down" (flaps) TEE BAR arrangement ....
very comfortable and a more "natural" hand position. I don't think it made it to this forum.
Can anyone tell me if I can send picture attachments to "Murphy Rebels" forum for others to
peruse and comment on my modification ?

In closing .....I would like as many builders as possible to read this letter....BUT....I honestly
don't think it is in the true vein of the intention of the "Forum" and as such would like to see it removed from the list in say a month or so...
I don't know who does such things, but I trust someone will be able to oblige.

Thanks for your time

Rick & Wendy Harper
16 Tor rd, Dee Why,
N.S.W. 2099
Australia
rjwh@ozemail.com.au (rjwh@ozemail.com.au)
rjwh56@hotmail.com (rjwh56@hotmail.com)
Ph : 02 9971 7889
Mbl : 0416 041 007
Fax : 02 9938 1480
O'seas Ph : 612 9971 7889
O'seas Fax : 612 9938 1480

Rick Harper · Post by **Rick Harper** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 5:39 pm

G;day Tim !

-----Original Message-----
From: Tim Carter <tlcarter@email.msn.com>
To: 'Murphy Rebel Builders List' <murphy-rebel@dcsol.com>
Date: Saturday, 8 January 2000 17:18
Subject: RE: "Down Under" Rebel

HI gang:

I want to defend MAM here.

I agree that they could be more proactive. I agree that the manuals could
be better.

And so they should be !!!.......

However, a phone call is worth a lot.

Tim,....ever thought of the costs involved ,...phoning 8,000 miles everytime
you need to ask a question or clarify something.?
It might be "peachy keen" for you, but it's out of the question for anyone
who lives
back of beyond.

As a point of interest...I've had 7 replies to that letter I recently
mailed..and yours
was the only one who dissagreed !
One guy lives "an hours drive from the factory" and he's not impressed
either.
Others who live in Canada itself are unimpressed also.....
Where there's smoke, there's usually fire !

Every time I have called, or e-mailed Grant in tech support, or talked to
Elaine in shipping, or Colleen in sales, or Daryl himself at Oshkosh, I

have

had their undivided attentions for as long as I needed it.

Every time I have needed to exchange a part due to bad production quality,

I

was able to do so, even without sending the old one back.

THIS has definitely NOT been MY experience !!!

Every time. Just my .02 (USD of course)

Tim
#438R

-----Original Message-----
From: Doug Martin [mailto:greyghost@powernet.net]
Sent: Saturday, January 08, 2000 5:00 AM
To: Murphy Rebel Builders List
Subject: Re: "Down Under" Rebel

Thanks for the letter you hit it on the head about the lack of support for
MAM. I am still waiting for them to confirm the canclelling of my tailwheel
order from our phone call to them in early November. And I am still waiting
for them to identify some part numbers the I sent in when I inventoried my
kit in september. The One good thing that I can pat them on the back for is

that when I have a damaged part from them, they send me a new one at no
charge the next day after I call.
Please stay with us awhile, Thanks again.
Doug in Reno, Nevada U.S.of A.

At 11:15 AM 1/2/00 +1100, you wrote:
Dear fellow Rebel builders ;
G'day from the land of OZ (Australia) Firstly ,..let me explain that I
have only JUST realised that there was ANOTHER discussion group regarding
Rebel aircraft....this one ! (Murphy-Rebel@dcsol.com) I am NO computer
guru....I use it really only use it for e-mailing friends and fellow

Rebel

builders... "" and looking into every nook and cranny of web sites.....

(I

don't have a lot of spare time between working long hours on a boat (my
job) , working a small business at home and building the plane).... but

I

just did , and found HEAPS of information that I never knew existed !
time ago ! ............(which is fool me for not exploring some sites
fully at an earlier date). I just scoured the Murphy home page (which

has

grown immensely since I last took a good look Wray Thompson's web site
(which is excellent also) and found hundreds of discussion papers on
various Rebel problems, modifications and fixes. (I have yet to find
anything regarding a second skin / tailwrap reinforcement at the

tailwheel

mount area though). """" on Earl Leamans Rebel (which I had just read
in the Rebel Rouser magazine , and my annoyance "this kind ".....to
which came a VERY quick reply (which always makes me Department

/

Murphy Aircraft Manufacturing. I've not conversed with Grant
before.....G'day Grant !.....(I'm sure you'll read this letter as soon as
I post it to the group).....but let me state here and now for all to
understand, that I'm a "I wear my " "" with as much of the facts in

hand

as I can ascertain before I open my mouth.....but some times that isn't
always possible due to a lack of "" information that some of us perceive
existing. I make no bones about the fact that I'm less than 100% happy
with MAM's support of our building "" are a number of fellow builders we
have (I'd like to say thanks to Bob Patterson at this point for jumping
in and being the Most staffers at MAM have been very helpful "about
"...but they still have a LOT to learn if they are going to present to
the public a face that is 100% effective " " actually HAS a Public
Relations section). I'm not going to get on a high horse in this column
about my own personal disappointments regarding MAM, but if anyone wants
to write to me and discuss them....thats up to you. My wife and I are
still very happy with our choice of aircraft , the Rebel IS an excellent
aircraft and even Richard Van Grunsven (the designer of the RV series
aircraft), has stated to our friend Jon Johanson (remember the "outside
of "..... & plans ! I appreciate where Grant states that many of Alister
Yeoman's problems stem from what most would call unique and severe
operating conditions....but we are not uneducated fools incapable All
builders should be made aware of modifications and WHY they were
introduced....and be your own judge as to their relevance in YOUR

instance.

Such is the beauty of forums like this one and the internet....there

are

no secrets these days, so with everything. I'm sure most, if not all,
would have greater respect for MAM if this were the case. I am STILL
trying to find some way of contacting Earl Leaman so I can find out more
details regarding his main gear failure......anyone out there got an
e-mail or snailmail (post) address or even a phone number ! WHAT and
WHERE things let go !? "" landing). "" from Ken Lehman....thanks Ken !
"" sheet which covered some of the modifications I mentioned.......I'd
like to state here that I, (and probably non of the other Rebel builders
here in Australia), received the same advice letter. I also didn't
receive any advice from MAM that the corner wraps from the door frame to
the firewall needed to be replaced with thicker ones (though in all
fairness this modification might have been standard practice by the time
our kit (541R) was sent out !)....anyone out there know ?!? "" printed
and updated for all to see regarding """" for the Rebel, so we can all be
aware of possible improvements. "" down here in Australia.....which

may

be in part due to our last Rebel agent .....who has now sold out to a new
agent Ted Seymour. Ted has already chased up and rung every builder in
Australia to ask where we were all up to in construction and how he

could

possibly help......Now THERE'S a man with some business acumen ! a
redesigned Flap Handle on the "" "" (flaps) TEE BAR arrangement .... ""
I don't think it made it to this forum. "" forum for others to and
comment on my modification ? In closing .....I would like as many
builders as possible to read this letter....BUT....I honestly "" and as
such would like to see it removed from the list in say a month or so... I
don't know who does such things, but I trust someone will be able to
oblige. Thanks for your time & Wendy Harper
16 Tor rd, Dee Why,
N.S.W. 2099
Australia
rjwh@ozemail.com.au
rjwh56@hotmail.com
Ph : 02 9971 7889
Mbl : 0416 041 007
Fax : 02 9938 1480
O'seas Ph : 612 9971 7889
O'seas Fax : 612 9938 1480
Doug Martin
greyghost@powernet.net
*----------------------------------------------------*
The Murphy Rebel Builders List is for the discussion
between builders and owners of Murphy Rebel aircraft.
Archives located at:
http://www.dcsol.com/murphy-rebel/lists/default.htm
*----------------------------------------------------*

*----------------------------------------------------*
The Murphy Rebel Builders List is for the discussion
between builders and owners of Murphy Rebel aircraft.
Archives located at:
http://www.dcsol.com/murphy-rebel/lists/default.htm
*----------------------------------------------------*

*----------------------------------------------------*
The Murphy Rebel Builders List is for the discussion
between builders and owners of Murphy Rebel aircraft.
Archives located at:
http://www.dcsol.com/murphy-rebel/lists/default.htm
*----------------------------------------------------*

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Doug Martin · Post by **Doug Martin** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 5:39 pm

Thanks for the letter you hit it on the head about the lack of support for
MAM. I am still waiting for them to confirm the canclelling of my tailwheel
order from our phone call to them in early November. And I am still waiting
for them to identify some part numbers the I sent in when I inventoried my
kit in september. The One good thing that I can pat them on the back for is
that when I have a damaged part from them, they send me a new one at no
charge the next day after I call.
Please stay with us awhile, Thanks again.
Doug in Reno, Nevada U.S.of A.

At 11:15 AM 1/2/00 +1100, you wrote:

Dear fellow Rebel builders ;
G'day from the land of OZ (Australia) Firstly ,..let me explain that I
have only JUST realised that there was ANOTHER discussion group regarding
Rebel aircraft....this one ! (Murphy-Rebel@dcsol.com) I am NO computer
guru....I use it really only use it for e-mailing friends and fellow Rebel
builders... "" and looking into every nook and cranny of web sites..... (I
don't have a lot of spare time between working long hours on a boat (my
job) , working a small business at home and building the plane).... but I
just did , and found HEAPS of information that I never knew existed !
time ago ! ............(which is fool me for not exploring some sites
fully at an earlier date). I just scoured the Murphy home page (which has
grown immensely since I last took a good look Wray Thompson's web site
(which is excellent also) and found hundreds of discussion papers on
various Rebel problems, modifications and fixes. (I have yet to find
anything regarding a second skin / tailwrap reinforcement at the tailwheel
mount area though). """" on Earl Leamans Rebel (which I had just read
in the Rebel Rouser magazine , and my annoyance "this kind ".....to
which came a VERY quick reply (which always makes me Department /
Murphy Aircraft Manufacturing. I've not conversed with Grant
before.....G'day Grant !.....(I'm sure you'll read this letter as soon as
I post it to the group).....but let me state here and now for all to
understand, that I'm a "I wear my " "" with as much of the facts in hand
as I can ascertain before I open my mouth.....but some times that isn't
always possible due to a lack of "" information that some of us perceive
existing. I make no bones about the fact that I'm less than 100% happy
with MAM's support of our building "" are a number of fellow builders we
have (I'd like to say thanks to Bob Patterson at this point for jumping
in and being the Most staffers at MAM have been very helpful "about
"...but they still have a LOT to learn if they are going to present to
the public a face that is 100% effective " " actually HAS a Public
Relations section). I'm not going to get on a high horse in this column
about my own personal disappointments regarding MAM, but if anyone wants
to write to me and discuss them....thats up to you. My wife and I are
still very happy with our choice of aircraft , the Rebel IS an excellent
aircraft and even Richard Van Grunsven (the designer of the RV series
aircraft), has stated to our friend Jon Johanson (remember the "outside
of "..... & plans ! I appreciate where Grant states that many of Alister
Yeoman's problems stem from what most would call unique and severe
operating conditions....but we are not uneducated fools incapable All
builders should be made aware of modifications and WHY they were
introduced....and be your own judge as to their relevance in YOUR instance.
Such is the beauty of forums like this one and the internet....there are
no secrets these days, so with everything. I'm sure most, if not all,
would have greater respect for MAM if this were the case. I am STILL
trying to find some way of contacting Earl Leaman so I can find out more
details regarding his main gear failure......anyone out there got an
e-mail or snailmail (post) address or even a phone number ! WHAT and
WHERE things let go !? "" landing). "" from Ken Lehman....thanks Ken !
"" sheet which covered some of the modifications I mentioned.......I'd
like to state here that I, (and probably non of the other Rebel builders
here in Australia), received the same advice letter. I also didn't
receive any advice from MAM that the corner wraps from the door frame to
the firewall needed to be replaced with thicker ones (though in all
fairness this modification might have been standard practice by the time
our kit (541R) was sent out !)....anyone out there know ?!? "" printed
and updated for all to see regarding """" for the Rebel, so we can all be
aware of possible improvements. "" down here in Australia.....which may
be in part due to our last Rebel agent .....who has now sold out to a new
agent Ted Seymour. Ted has already chased up and rung every builder in
Australia to ask where we were all up to in construction and how he could
possibly help......Now THERE'S a man with some business acumen ! a
redesigned Flap Handle on the "" "" (flaps) TEE BAR arrangement .... ""
I don't think it made it to this forum. "" forum for others to and
comment on my modification ? In closing .....I would like as many
builders as possible to read this letter....BUT....I honestly "" and as
such would like to see it removed from the list in say a month or so... I
don't know who does such things, but I trust someone will be able to
oblige. Thanks for your time & Wendy Harper
16 Tor rd, Dee Why,
N.S.W. 2099
Australia
rjwh@ozemail.com.au
rjwh56@hotmail.com
Ph : 02 9971 7889
Mbl : 0416 041 007
Fax : 02 9938 1480
O'seas Ph : 612 9971 7889
O'seas Fax : 612 9938 1480

Doug Martin
greyghost@powernet.net
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between builders and owners of Murphy Rebel aircraft.
Archives located at:
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LisaFly99 · Post by **LisaFly99** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 5:39 pm

Rick&Wendy
I'm pretty new to this list also, Wish I had known about it 3 or 4 years ago.
Between Bob Patterson and Wayne O' Shea and a few others (that have been
there done that) I'm sure there would have been something's that I would have
done different. Listening to some of their answer to questions posted makes
me wonder why I didn't do that seems like good sense now ,In hind sight. Well
live and learn, The hard way some times. Keep in touch with you're progress.
Phil&Lisa Smith #460 N414D
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Bob Patterson · Post by **Bob Patterson** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 5:39 pm

Welcome to this list, Rick !

I'm really sorry - I thought you were already ON it ! I am on both
lists, and had seen letters from you, and assumed you got both - SORRY !!
Would have said something sooner if I'd realized.

Your front corner wraps very likely ARE the heavier ones - the originals
wer only .020 (and there are still plenty of those flying without problems).
They WERE sensitive to denting, which then developed into cracks. They were
increased to .025 to avoid this, then, when the Rebel Elite was developed,
it used .032, to support the larger engines. The factory decided to simplify
inventory, and standardized on the .032 for ALL Rebels. Not sure of the
latest part numbers - the originals were FUS-10, then FUS-70, and the latest
are something like FUS 532 ??? (can somebody please fill in this blank ??)

The extra wrap on the lower tail section of the fuselage is a mod. that
we do here (like several others that are mentioned in the archives) - the
"Canadian" mods :-) The reason was that they don't get a lot of heavy
snow in Chilliwack, so didn't appreciate the heavy side-loads you can get
on skis (or in deep mud !) - so we stiffened up the lower skin by doubling
it from just in front of the tail spring attach bolt, right back to the
rudder post, and up to the stabilizer. The easiest way to do this is just
order another FUS-30, trim it a bit, slather on lots of epoxy chromate,
so it bonds securely, and rivet it right over the original. (means removing
any rivets already in). We also add a few extra rivets to secure it.
This prevents buckling of the FUS-30 near the rudder post when it gets
severe side loads ...

The firewall channel between the top engine mounts is now part of
the factory 'floatfix' directive, which I'm sure they will send you a
copy of. It is also on their web site, with others. These mods are ALL
definitely 'A Good Idea' (tm) :-)

I'm sure you'll find a lot more useful information, now that you're
tuned in here !! I think the factory assumes that most builders now get
their first-line support HERE, - correctly, I think :-) , and are very
glad that this list exists !!!

.....bobp

PS
RE: the gear failure on Earl's Rebel - from what I can see, it looks
like the main gear leg broke about 8 inches above the axle. There obviously
was a very heavy impact, on one wheel only. The gear leg MAY have been
weakened by holes drilled into it to rivet on fairings - something the
factory has warned AGAINST doing !

-------------------------------orig.----------------------------------------
At 11:15 AM 1/2/00 +1100, you wrote:

Dear fellow Rebel builders ;

G'day from the land of OZ (Australia)

Firstly ,..let me explain that I have only JUST realised that there was

ANOTHER discussion group

regarding Rebel aircraft....this one ! (Murphy-Rebel@dcsol.com)

I am NO computer guru....I use it really only use it for e-mailing friends

and fellow Rebel builders...

I don't as a rule, spend hours "surfing" and looking into every nook and

cranny of web sites.....

(I don't have a lot of spare time between working long hours on a boat (my

job) , working

a small business at home and building the plane).... but I just did , and

found HEAPS of

information that I never knew existed !
I WISH I had been aware about the amount of information on tap a

l...o...n....g time ago !

............(which is fool me for not exploring some sites fully at an

earlier date).

I just scoured the Murphy home page (which has grown immensely since I last

took a good look

at it), and found things like Wray Thompson's web site (which is excellent

also) and found hundreds

of discussion papers on various Rebel problems, modifications and fixes.

(I have yet to find anything regarding a second skin / tailwrap

reinforcement at the tailwheel

mount area though).

I recently wrote an article for the "Flying-Rebels" group outlining a "Main

gear strut failure" on

Earl Leamans Rebel (which I had just read in the Rebel Rouser magazine ,

and my annoyance

that we, (the builders) , have to hear about "this kind of thing via the

grapevine".....to which came

a VERY quick reply (which always makes me suspicious) from MAM through

Grant McDaniel / Technical Support Department / Murphy Aircraft Manufacturing.

I've not conversed with Grant before.....G'day Grant !.....(I'm sure you'll

read this letter as soon

as I post it to the group).....but let me state here and now for all to

understand, that I'm a

"I wear my heart on my sleeve" kind of person.
If it needs to be said , I'll say it ! (hopefully I'll "say it" with as

much of the facts in hand as I can ascertain before I open my mouth.....but
some times that isn't always possible due to a lack of

"up front" information that some of us perceive existing.

I make no bones about the fact that I'm less than 100% happy with MAM's

support of our building

project "way down here in the back of beyond" ....as are a number of

fellow builders we have

spoken to. (I'd like to say thanks to Bob Patterson at this point for

jumping in and being the

excellent help that he is to so many builders). Most staffers at MAM have

been very helpful

(G'day Elaine), some have been fairly helpful most of the time and some

have been "about

as useful as tits on a bull"...but they still have a LOT to learn if they

are going to present to

the public a face that is 100% effective and "as good as it can

be".....(assuming here that MAM actually HAS a Public Relations section).

I'm not going to get on a high horse in this column about my own personal

disappointments

regarding MAM, but if anyone wants to write to me and discuss them....thats

up to you.

My wife and I are still very happy with our choice of aircraft , the Rebel

IS an excellent aircraft

and even Richard Van Grunsven (the designer of the RV series aircraft), has

stated to our friend

Jon Johanson (remember the ozzie who flew around the world twice in a

homebuilt RV4 a few years back), that "outside of an RV, the Rebel is the
next best value for money on the market".....

Not bad praise from a guy who's designs have sold reportedly 7000 aircraft

kits & plans !

I appreciate where Grant states that many of Alister Yeoman's problems stem

from what most

would call unique and severe operating conditions....but we are not

uneducated fools incapable

of discerning WHAT modifications are relevant to us in our particular

application. All builders

should be made aware of modifications and WHY they were introduced....and

be your own judge

as to their relevance in YOUR instance.

Such is the beauty of forums like this one and the internet....there are no

secrets these days, so

why not be up front with everything. I'm sure most, if not all, would have

greater respect for MAM

if this were the case.

I am STILL trying to find some way of contacting Earl Leaman so I can find

out more details

regarding his main gear failure......anyone out there got an e-mail or

snailmail (post) address

for Earl ??? or even a phone number !
Can anyone send me a diagram of WHAT and WHERE things let go !?
(And yes, I AM aware that his failure was due to a "hard" landing).

I also found a reply to my letter "Rebel Problems" from Ken

Lehman....thanks Ken !

Ken states that MAM mailed him a "floatfix reinforcement" sheet which

covered some

of the modifications I mentioned.......I'd like to state here that I, (and

probably non of the other

Rebel builders here in Australia), received the same advice letter.
I also didn't receive any advice from MAM that the corner wraps from the

door frame to the firewall

needed to be replaced with thicker ones (though in all fairness this

modification might have been

standard practice by the time our kit (541R) was sent out !)....anyone out

there know ?!?

I REALLY like Ken's idea or a "Checklist" printed and updated for all to

see regarding

"fixes" and "updates" for the Rebel, so we can all be aware of possible

improvements.

We tend to get very "left out in the rain" down here in Australia.....which

may be in part due

to our last Rebel agent .....who has now sold out to a new agent Ted Seymour.
Ted has already chased up and rung every builder in Australia to ask where

we were all up to in

construction and how he could possibly help......Now THERE'S a man with

some business acumen !

On a different note : A few months ago, I posted a redesigned Flap Handle

on the

"Flying Rebels" page....pictures and plan drawings.
I redesigned the handle to be a "pull down to get down" (flaps) TEE BAR

arrangement ....

very comfortable and a more "natural" hand position. I don't think it

made it to this forum.

Can anyone tell me if I can send picture attachments to "Murphy Rebels"

forum for others to

peruse and comment on my modification ?

In closing .....I would like as many builders as possible to read this

letter....BUT....I honestly

don't think it is in the true vein of the intention of the "Forum" and as

such would like to see it removed from the list in say a month or so...

I don't know who does such things, but I trust someone will be able to oblige.

Thanks for your time

Rick & Wendy Harper
16 Tor rd, Dee Why,
N.S.W. 2099
Australia
rjwh@ozemail.com.au
rjwh56@hotmail.com
Ph : 02 9971 7889
Mbl : 0416 041 007
Fax : 02 9938 1480
O'seas Ph : 612 9971 7889
O'seas Fax : 612 9938 1480
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<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2>Dear fellow Rebel builders
;</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000
size=2>           &n

bsp;            
           

G'day from the land of OZ (Australia)</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2>Firstly ,..let me explain that I have only
JUST realised that there was ANOTHER discussion group</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2>regarding Rebel aircraft....this one !
(Murphy-Rebel@dcsol.com)</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2>I am NO computer guru....I use it really
only use it for e-mailing friends and fellow Rebel

builders...</FONT></EM></DIV>

<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2>I don't as a rule, spend hours
"surfing" and looking into every nook and cranny of web
sites.....</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>(I don't

have a

lot of spare time between working long hours on a boat (my job) ,
working</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>a small business at home

and

building the plane).... </FONT></EM><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2>but I just
did , and found HEAPS of </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2>information that I never knew existed
!</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>I WISH I had  been aware about the amount of
information on tap a   l...o...n....g   time ago
!</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT color=#000000
size=2>............(which is fool me for not exploring some sites fully at an
earlier date).</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>I just

scoured

the Murphy home page (which has grown immensely since I last took a good
look</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>at it), and found things like </FONT></EM><EM><FONT
size=2> Wray Thompson's web site (which is excellent also) and found
hundreds</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>of discussion papers on various Rebel problems,
modifications and fixes.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2>(I have yet to find anything regarding a
second skin / tailwrap reinforcement at the tailwheel</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>mount area
though).</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>I recently wrote an article for the
"Flying-Rebels" group outlining a "Main gear strut

failure"

on</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>Earl Leamans Rebel (which I had just read in the Rebel
Rouser magazine , and my annoyance </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>that we, (the builders) , have to hear about "this
kind </FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>of thing via the grapevine".....to

which

came </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>a VERY quick reply (which always makes me
</FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>suspicious) from MAM through 
</FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>Grant McDaniel  / Technical Support 
Department / Murphy </FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>Aircraft
Manufacturing.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>I've not conversed with Grant before.....G'day Grant
!.....(I'm sure you'll read this letter as soon</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>as I post it to the group).....but let me state here and
now for all to understand, that I'm a</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>"I wear my </FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>heart on my
sleeve" kind of person.  </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>If it needs to be said , I'll say it !  (hopefully
I'll "say it" with as much of the facts in hand as I can ascertain
before I open my mouth.....but some times that isn't always possible due to a
lack of</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>"up front"
information that some of us perceive existing.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>I make no bones about the fact that I'm less than 100%
happy with MAM's support of our building</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>project "way down here in the back of beyond"
....as  are a number of fellow builders we have</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>spoken to.  (I'd like to say thanks to Bob

Patterson

at this point for jumping in and being the </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>excellent help that he is to so many builders). 

Most

staffers at MAM have been very helpful </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>(G'day Elaine), some have
been  </FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>fairly helpful most of the time and

some

have been "about </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>as useful as tits on a bull"...but they
</FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>still have a LOT to </FONT></EM><EM><FONT
size=2>learn if they are going to present to </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>the public a face that is 100% effective
</FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>and "as good as it 

</FONT></EM><EM><FONT

size=2>can be".....(assuming here that MAM  </FONT></EM><EM><FONT
size=2>actually HAS a Public Relations section).</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>I'm not going to get on a high horse in this column

about

my own personal disappointments </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>regarding MAM, but if anyone wants to write to me and
discuss them....thats up to you.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>My wife and I are still very happy with our choice of
aircraft , the Rebel IS an excellent aircraft</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>and even Richard Van Grunsven (the designer of the RV
series aircraft), </FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>has stated to our friend
</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>Jon Johanson (remember the </FONT></EM><EM><FONT
size=2>ozzie who flew around the world twice in a homebuilt RV4 a few years
back), that "outside of </FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>an RV, the Rebel is
the next best value for money on the market".....</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>Not bad praise from a guy who's designs have sold
reportedly 7000 aircraft kits & plans !</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>I appreciate where Grant states that many of Alister
Yeoman's problems stem from what most</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>would call unique and severe operating conditions....but
we are not uneducated fools incapable</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>of discerning WHAT modifications are relevant to us

in our

particular application.  All builders</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>should be made aware of modifications and WHY they were
introduced....and be your own judge</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>as to their relevance in YOUR instance.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>Such is the beauty of forums like this one and the
internet....there are no secrets these days, so </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>why not be up front  with everything. I'm sure

most,

if not all, would have greater respect for MAM</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>if this were the case.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>I am STILL trying to find some way of contacting Earl
Leaman so I can find out more details </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>regarding his main gear failure......anyone out there

got

an e-mail or snailmail (post) address</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>for Earl ???   or even a phone number
!</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>Can anyone send me a diagram of  WHAT and WHERE
things let go !?</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>(And yes, I AM aware that his failure was due to a
"hard" landing).</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2>I also found a reply to my letter
"Rebel Problems" from Ken Lehman....thanks Ken !</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>Ken states

that

MAM mailed him a "floatfix reinforcement" sheet which covered
some</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>of the modifications I
mentioned.......I'd like to state here that I, (and probably non of the other
</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>Rebel builders here in
Australia), received the same advice letter. </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>I also didn't receive any
advice from MAM that the corner wraps from the door frame to the
firewall</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>needed to be replaced with
thicker ones (though in all fairness this modification might have
been</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>standard practice by the

time

our kit (541R) was sent out !)....anyone out there know ?!?</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>I REALLY like Ken's idea or a "Checklist"
printed and updated for all to see regarding</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>"fixes" and
"updates" for the Rebel, so we can all be aware of possible
improvements.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>We tend to get very "left out in the rain"

down

here in Australia.....which may be in part due</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>to our last Rebel agent
.....who has now sold out to a new agent Ted Seymour.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>Ted has already chased

up and

rung every builder in Australia to ask where we were all up to in
</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>construction and how he

could

possibly help......Now THERE'S a man with some business acumen
!</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>On a different note : A few months ago, I posted  a
redesigned Flap Handle on the </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>"Flying Rebels" </FONT></EM><EM><FONT
size=2>page....pictures and plan drawings. </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>I redesigned the handle to be a "pull down to get
down" (flaps) TEE BAR arrangement ....</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>very comfortable and a more "natural" hand
position.   I don't think it made it to this forum.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>Can anyone tell me if I can send picture attachments to
"Murphy Rebels" forum for others to</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>peruse  and comment on my modification
?</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>In closing .....I would like as many builders as

possible

to read this letter....BUT....I honestly</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>don't think it is in the true vein of the intention

of the

"Forum" and as such would like to see it removed from the list in

say

a month or so...</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>I don't know who does such things, but I trust someone
will be able to oblige.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>Thanks for your time </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2>Rick & Wendy Harper<BR>16 Tor rd, Dee
Why, <BR>N.S.W. 2099<BR>Australia<BR><A
href="mailto:rjwh@ozemail.com.au">rjwh@ozemail.com.au</A><BR><A
href="mailto:rjwh56@hotmail.com">rjwh56@hotmail.com</A><BR>Ph : 02 9971 7889
<BR>Mbl : 0416 041 007<BR>Fax : 02 9938 1480<BR>O'seas Ph : 612 9971
7889<BR>O'seas Fax : 612 9938 1480</FONT></EM></DIV></BODY></HTML>

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Tim Carter · Post by **Tim Carter** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 5:39 pm

HI gang:

I want to defend MAM here.

I agree that they could be more proactive. I agree that the manuals could
be better. However, a phone call is worth a lot.

Every time I have called, or e-mailed Grant in tech support, or talked to
Elaine in shipping, or Colleen in sales, or Daryl himself at Oshkosh, I have
had their undivided attentions for as long as I needed it.

Every time I have needed to exchange a part due to bad production quality, I
was able to do so, even without sending the old one back.

Every time. Just my .02 (USD of course)

Tim
#438R

-----Original Message-----
From: Doug Martin [mailto:greyghost@powernet.net]
Sent: Saturday, January 08, 2000 5:00 AM
To: Murphy Rebel Builders List
Subject: Re: "Down Under" Rebel

Thanks for the letter you hit it on the head about the lack of support for
MAM. I am still waiting for them to confirm the canclelling of my tailwheel
order from our phone call to them in early November. And I am still waiting
for them to identify some part numbers the I sent in when I inventoried my
kit in september. The One good thing that I can pat them on the back for is
that when I have a damaged part from them, they send me a new one at no
charge the next day after I call.
Please stay with us awhile, Thanks again.
Doug in Reno, Nevada U.S.of A.

At 11:15 AM 1/2/00 +1100, you wrote:

Dear fellow Rebel builders ;
G'day from the land of OZ (Australia) Firstly ,..let me explain that I
have only JUST realised that there was ANOTHER discussion group regarding
Rebel aircraft....this one ! (Murphy-Rebel@dcsol.com) I am NO computer
guru....I use it really only use it for e-mailing friends and fellow Rebel
builders... "" and looking into every nook and cranny of web sites..... (I
don't have a lot of spare time between working long hours on a boat (my
job) , working a small business at home and building the plane).... but I
just did , and found HEAPS of information that I never knew existed !
time ago ! ............(which is fool me for not exploring some sites
fully at an earlier date). I just scoured the Murphy home page (which has
grown immensely since I last took a good look Wray Thompson's web site
(which is excellent also) and found hundreds of discussion papers on
various Rebel problems, modifications and fixes. (I have yet to find
anything regarding a second skin / tailwrap reinforcement at the tailwheel
mount area though). """" on Earl Leamans Rebel (which I had just read
in the Rebel Rouser magazine , and my annoyance "this kind ".....to
which came a VERY quick reply (which always makes me Department /
Murphy Aircraft Manufacturing. I've not conversed with Grant
before.....G'day Grant !.....(I'm sure you'll read this letter as soon as
I post it to the group).....but let me state here and now for all to
understand, that I'm a "I wear my " "" with as much of the facts in hand
as I can ascertain before I open my mouth.....but some times that isn't
always possible due to a lack of "" information that some of us perceive
existing. I make no bones about the fact that I'm less than 100% happy
with MAM's support of our building "" are a number of fellow builders we
have (I'd like to say thanks to Bob Patterson at this point for jumping
in and being the Most staffers at MAM have been very helpful "about
"...but they still have a LOT to learn if they are going to present to
the public a face that is 100% effective " " actually HAS a Public
Relations section). I'm not going to get on a high horse in this column
about my own personal disappointments regarding MAM, but if anyone wants
to write to me and discuss them....thats up to you. My wife and I are
still very happy with our choice of aircraft , the Rebel IS an excellent
aircraft and even Richard Van Grunsven (the designer of the RV series
aircraft), has stated to our friend Jon Johanson (remember the "outside
of "..... & plans ! I appreciate where Grant states that many of Alister
Yeoman's problems stem from what most would call unique and severe
operating conditions....but we are not uneducated fools incapable All
builders should be made aware of modifications and WHY they were
introduced....and be your own judge as to their relevance in YOUR instance.
Such is the beauty of forums like this one and the internet....there are
no secrets these days, so with everything. I'm sure most, if not all,
would have greater respect for MAM if this were the case. I am STILL
trying to find some way of contacting Earl Leaman so I can find out more
details regarding his main gear failure......anyone out there got an
e-mail or snailmail (post) address or even a phone number ! WHAT and
WHERE things let go !? "" landing). "" from Ken Lehman....thanks Ken !
"" sheet which covered some of the modifications I mentioned.......I'd
like to state here that I, (and probably non of the other Rebel builders
here in Australia), received the same advice letter. I also didn't
receive any advice from MAM that the corner wraps from the door frame to
the firewall needed to be replaced with thicker ones (though in all
fairness this modification might have been standard practice by the time
our kit (541R) was sent out !)....anyone out there know ?!? "" printed
and updated for all to see regarding """" for the Rebel, so we can all be
aware of possible improvements. "" down here in Australia.....which may
be in part due to our last Rebel agent .....who has now sold out to a new
agent Ted Seymour. Ted has already chased up and rung every builder in
Australia to ask where we were all up to in construction and how he could
possibly help......Now THERE'S a man with some business acumen ! a
redesigned Flap Handle on the "" "" (flaps) TEE BAR arrangement .... ""
I don't think it made it to this forum. "" forum for others to and
comment on my modification ? In closing .....I would like as many
builders as possible to read this letter....BUT....I honestly "" and as
such would like to see it removed from the list in say a month or so... I
don't know who does such things, but I trust someone will be able to
oblige. Thanks for your time & Wendy Harper
16 Tor rd, Dee Why,
N.S.W. 2099
Australia
rjwh@ozemail.com.au
rjwh56@hotmail.com
Ph : 02 9971 7889
Mbl : 0416 041 007
Fax : 02 9938 1480
O'seas Ph : 612 9971 7889
O'seas Fax : 612 9938 1480

Doug Martin
greyghost@powernet.net
*----------------------------------------------------*
The Murphy Rebel Builders List is for the discussion
between builders and owners of Murphy Rebel aircraft.
Archives located at:
http://www.dcsol.com/murphy-rebel/lists/default.htm
*----------------------------------------------------*

*----------------------------------------------------*
The Murphy Rebel Builders List is for the discussion
between builders and owners of Murphy Rebel aircraft.
Archives located at:
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Dave Klimas · Post by **Dave Klimas** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 5:39 pm

Hi Bob,

Bob, of all the folks on this list you are one of the most
knowledgeable on the development history of the Rebel. Your
descriptions of the mods -- and why they are relevant -- are
extremely helpful in my building.

Your reply to Rick leads me to ask more questions, though. The
"doubled skin." What was/is the thickness of the original skin? What
was/is the thickness of the doubler? I know Murphy has beefed up the
tail section since the original design. Kit #472 tail wrap skin is
.032. Not that we get much of a snow load in Southern California! ;-)

Dave & Bert Klimas
Rebel #472
Ramona, CA

Welcome to this list, Rick !

I'm really sorry - I thought you were already ON it ! I am on both
lists, and had seen letters from you, and assumed you got both - SORRY !!
Would have said something sooner if I'd realized.

Your front corner wraps very likely ARE the heavier ones - the originals
wer only .020 (and there are still plenty of those flying without problems).
They WERE sensitive to denting, which then developed into cracks. They were
increased to .025 to avoid this, then, when the Rebel Elite was developed,
it used .032, to support the larger engines. The factory decided to simplify
inventory, and standardized on the .032 for ALL Rebels. Not sure of the
latest part numbers - the originals were FUS-10, then FUS-70, and the latest
are something like FUS 532 ??? (can somebody please fill in this blank ??)

The extra wrap on the lower tail section of the fuselage is a mod. that
we do here (like several others that are mentioned in the archives) - the
"Canadian" mods :-) The reason was that they don't get a lot of heavy
snow in Chilliwack, so didn't appreciate the heavy side-loads you can get
on skis (or in deep mud !) - so we stiffened up the lower skin by doubling
it from just in front of the tail spring attach bolt, right back to the
rudder post, and up to the stabilizer. The easiest way to do this is just
order another FUS-30, trim it a bit, slather on lots of epoxy chromate,
so it bonds securely, and rivet it right over the original. (means removing
any rivets already in). We also add a few extra rivets to secure it.
This prevents buckling of the FUS-30 near the rudder post when it gets
severe side loads ...

The firewall channel between the top engine mounts is now part of
the factory 'floatfix' directive, which I'm sure they will send you a
copy of. It is also on their web site, with others. These mods are ALL
definitely 'A Good Idea' (tm) :-)

I'm sure you'll find a lot more useful information, now that you're
tuned in here !! I think the factory assumes that most builders now get
their first-line support HERE, - correctly, I think :-) , and are very
glad that this list exists !!!

.....bobp

PS
RE: the gear failure on Earl's Rebel - from what I can see, it looks
like the main gear leg broke about 8 inches above the axle. There obviously
was a very heavy impact, on one wheel only. The gear leg MAY have been
weakened by holes drilled into it to rivet on fairings - something the
factory has warned AGAINST doing !

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Bob Patterson · Post by **Bob Patterson** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 5:39 pm

Welcome to this list, Rick !

I'm really sorry - I thought you were already ON it ! I am on both
lists, and had seen letters from you, and assumed you got both - SORRY !!
Would have said something sooner if I'd realized.

Your front corner wraps very likely ARE the heavier ones - the originals
wer only .020 (and there are still plenty of those flying without problems).
They WERE sensitive to denting, which then developed into cracks. They were
increased to .025 to avoid this, then, when the Rebel Elite was developed,
it used .032, to support the larger engines. The factory decided to simplify
inventory, and standardized on the .032 for ALL Rebels. Not sure of the
latest part numbers - the originals were FUS-10, then FUS-70, and the latest
are something like FUS 532 ??? (can somebody please fill in this blank ??)

The extra wrap on the lower tail section of the fuselage is a mod. that
we do here (like several others that are mentioned in the archives) - the
"Canadian" mods :-) The reason was that they don't get a lot of heavy
snow in Chilliwack, so didn't appreciate the heavy side-loads you can get
on skis (or in deep mud !) - so we stiffened up the lower skin by doubling
it from just in front of the tail spring attach bolt, right back to the
rudder post, and up to the stabilizer. The easiest way to do this is just
order another FUS-30, trim it a bit, slather on lots of epoxy chromate,
so it bonds securely, and rivet it right over the original. (means removing
any rivets already in). We also add a few extra rivets to secure it.
This prevents buckling of the FUS-30 near the rudder post when it gets
severe side loads ...

The firewall channel between the top engine mounts is now part of
the factory 'floatfix' directive, which I'm sure they will send you a
copy of. It is also on their web site, with others. These mods are ALL
definitely 'A Good Idea' (tm) :-)

I'm sure you'll find a lot more useful information, now that you're
tuned in here !! I think the factory assumes that most builders now get
their first-line support HERE, - correctly, I think :-) , and are very
glad that this list exists !!!

.....bobp

PS
RE: the gear failure on Earl's Rebel - from what I can see, it looks
like the main gear leg broke about 8 inches above the axle. There obviously
was a very heavy impact, on one wheel only. The gear leg MAY have been
weakened by holes drilled into it to rivet on fairings - something the
factory has warned AGAINST doing !

-------------------------------orig.----------------------------------------
At 11:15 AM 1/2/00 +1100, you wrote:
Dear fellow Rebel builders ;

G'day from the land of OZ (Australia)

Firstly ,..let me explain that I have only JUST realised that there was
ANOTHER discussion group
regarding Rebel aircraft....this one ! (Murphy-Rebel@dcsol.com)

I am NO computer guru....I use it really only use it for e-mailing friends
and fellow Rebel builders...
I don't as a rule, spend hours "surfing" and looking into every nook and
cranny of web sites.....
(I don't have a lot of spare time between working long hours on a boat (my
job) , working
a small business at home and building the plane).... but I just did , and
found HEAPS of
information that I never knew existed !
I WISH I had been aware about the amount of information on tap a
l...o...n....g time ago !
............(which is fool me for not exploring some sites fully at an
earlier date).
I just scoured the Murphy home page (which has grown immensely since I last
took a good look
at it), and found things like Wray Thompson's web site (which is excellent
also) and found hundreds
of discussion papers on various Rebel problems, modifications and fixes.

(I have yet to find anything regarding a second skin / tailwrap
reinforcement at the tailwheel
mount area though).

I recently wrote an article for the "Flying-Rebels" group outlining a "Main
gear strut failure" on
Earl Leamans Rebel (which I had just read in the Rebel Rouser magazine ,
and my annoyance
that we, (the builders) , have to hear about "this kind of thing via the
grapevine".....to which came
a VERY quick reply (which always makes me suspicious) from MAM through
Grant McDaniel / Technical Support Department / Murphy Aircraft

Manufacturing.

I've not conversed with Grant before.....G'day Grant !.....(I'm sure you'll
read this letter as soon
as I post it to the group).....but let me state here and now for all to
understand, that I'm a
"I wear my heart on my sleeve" kind of person.
If it needs to be said , I'll say it ! (hopefully I'll "say it" with as
much of the facts in hand as I can ascertain before I open my mouth.....but
some times that isn't always possible due to a lack of
"up front" information that some of us perceive existing.

I make no bones about the fact that I'm less than 100% happy with MAM's
support of our building
project "way down here in the back of beyond" ....as are a number of
fellow builders we have
spoken to. (I'd like to say thanks to Bob Patterson at this point for
jumping in and being the
excellent help that he is to so many builders). Most staffers at MAM have
been very helpful
(G'day Elaine), some have been fairly helpful most of the time and some
have been "about
as useful as tits on a bull"...but they still have a LOT to learn if they
are going to present to
the public a face that is 100% effective and "as good as it can
be".....(assuming here that MAM actually HAS a Public Relations section).
I'm not going to get on a high horse in this column about my own personal
disappointments
regarding MAM, but if anyone wants to write to me and discuss them....thats
up to you.
My wife and I are still very happy with our choice of aircraft , the Rebel
IS an excellent aircraft
and even Richard Van Grunsven (the designer of the RV series aircraft), has
stated to our friend
Jon Johanson (remember the ozzie who flew around the world twice in a
homebuilt RV4 a few years back), that "outside of an RV, the Rebel is the
next best value for money on the market".....
Not bad praise from a guy who's designs have sold reportedly 7000 aircraft
kits & plans !
I appreciate where Grant states that many of Alister Yeoman's problems stem
from what most
would call unique and severe operating conditions....but we are not
uneducated fools incapable
of discerning WHAT modifications are relevant to us in our particular
application. All builders
should be made aware of modifications and WHY they were introduced....and
be your own judge
as to their relevance in YOUR instance.

Such is the beauty of forums like this one and the internet....there are no
secrets these days, so
why not be up front with everything. I'm sure most, if not all, would have
greater respect for MAM
if this were the case.

I am STILL trying to find some way of contacting Earl Leaman so I can find
out more details
regarding his main gear failure......anyone out there got an e-mail or
snailmail (post) address
for Earl ??? or even a phone number !
Can anyone send me a diagram of WHAT and WHERE things let go !?
(And yes, I AM aware that his failure was due to a "hard" landing).

I also found a reply to my letter "Rebel Problems" from Ken
Lehman....thanks Ken !
Ken states that MAM mailed him a "floatfix reinforcement" sheet which
covered some
of the modifications I mentioned.......I'd like to state here that I, (and
probably non of the other
Rebel builders here in Australia), received the same advice letter.
I also didn't receive any advice from MAM that the corner wraps from the
door frame to the firewall
needed to be replaced with thicker ones (though in all fairness this
modification might have been
standard practice by the time our kit (541R) was sent out !)....anyone out
there know ?!?
I REALLY like Ken's idea or a "Checklist" printed and updated for all to
see regarding
"fixes" and "updates" for the Rebel, so we can all be aware of possible
improvements.
We tend to get very "left out in the rain" down here in Australia.....which
may be in part due
to our last Rebel agent .....who has now sold out to a new agent Ted Seymour.
Ted has already chased up and rung every builder in Australia to ask where
we were all up to in
construction and how he could possibly help......Now THERE'S a man with
some business acumen !
On a different note : A few months ago, I posted a redesigned Flap Handle
on the
"Flying Rebels" page....pictures and plan drawings.
I redesigned the handle to be a "pull down to get down" (flaps) TEE BAR
arrangement ....
very comfortable and a more "natural" hand position. I don't think it
made it to this forum.
Can anyone tell me if I can send picture attachments to "Murphy Rebels"
forum for others to
peruse and comment on my modification ?

In closing .....I would like as many builders as possible to read this
letter....BUT....I honestly
don't think it is in the true vein of the intention of the "Forum" and as
such would like to see it removed from the list in say a month or so...
I don't know who does such things, but I trust someone will be able to oblige.

Thanks for your time

Rick & Wendy Harper
16 Tor rd, Dee Why,
N.S.W. 2099
Australia
rjwh@ozemail.com.au
rjwh56@hotmail.com
Ph : 02 9971 7889
Mbl : 0416 041 007
Fax : 02 9938 1480
O'seas Ph : 612 9971 7889
O'seas Fax : 612 9938 1480
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<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2>Dear fellow Rebel builders
;</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000
size=2>           &n
bsp;            
           
G'day from the land of OZ (Australia)</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2>Firstly ,..let me explain that I have

only

JUST realised that there was ANOTHER discussion group</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2>regarding Rebel aircraft....this one !
(Murphy-Rebel@dcsol.com)</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2>I am NO computer guru....I use it really
only use it for e-mailing friends and fellow Rebel
builders...</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2>I don't as a rule, spend hours
"surfing" and looking into every nook and cranny of web
sites.....</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>(I don't
have a
lot of spare time between working long hours on a boat (my job) ,
working</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>a small business at home
and
building the plane).... </FONT></EM><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2>but I just
did , and found HEAPS of </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2>information that I never knew existed
!</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>I WISH I had  been aware about the amount of
information on tap a   l...o...n....g   time ago
!</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT color=#000000
size=2>............(which is fool me for not exploring some sites fully at an
earlier date).</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>I just
scoured
the Murphy home page (which has grown immensely since I last took a good
look</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>at it), and found things

like </FONT></EM><EM><FONT

size=2> Wray Thompson's web site (which is excellent also) and found
hundreds</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>of discussion papers on various Rebel problems,
modifications and fixes.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2>(I have yet to find anything regarding a
second skin / tailwrap reinforcement at the tailwheel</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>mount area
though).</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>I recently wrote an article for the
"Flying-Rebels" group outlining a "Main gear strut
failure"
on</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>Earl Leamans Rebel (which I had just read in the Rebel
Rouser magazine , and my annoyance </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>that we, (the builders) , have to hear about "this
kind </FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>of thing via the grapevine".....to
which
came </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>a VERY quick reply (which always makes me
</FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>suspicious) from MAM through 
</FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>Grant McDaniel  / Technical Support 
Department / Murphy </FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>Aircraft
Manufacturing.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>I've not conversed with Grant before.....G'day Grant
!.....(I'm sure you'll read this letter as soon</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>as I post it to the group).....but let me state here

and

now for all to understand, that I'm a</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>"I wear my </FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>heart

on my

sleeve" kind of person.  </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>If it needs to be said , I'll say it !  (hopefully
I'll "say it" with as much of the facts in hand as I can ascertain
before I open my mouth.....but some times that isn't always possible due to a
lack of</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>"up front"
information that some of us perceive existing.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>I make no bones about the fact that I'm less than 100%
happy with MAM's support of our building</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>project "way down here in the back of beyond"
....as  are a number of fellow builders we have</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>spoken to.  (I'd like to say thanks to Bob
Patterson
at this point for jumping in and being the </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>excellent help that he is to so many builders). 
Most
staffers at MAM have been very helpful </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>(G'day Elaine), some have
been  </FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>fairly helpful most of the time and
some
have been "about </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>as useful as tits on a bull"...but they
</FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>still have a LOT to </FONT></EM><EM><FONT
size=2>learn if they are going to present to </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>the public a face that is 100% effective
</FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>and "as good as it 
</FONT></EM><EM><FONT
size=2>can be".....(assuming here that MAM  </FONT></EM><EM><FONT
size=2>actually HAS a Public Relations section).</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>I'm not going to get on a high horse in this column
about
my own personal disappointments </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>regarding MAM, but if anyone wants to write to me and
discuss them....thats up to you.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>My wife and I are still very happy with our choice of
aircraft , the Rebel IS an excellent aircraft</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>and even Richard Van Grunsven (the designer of the RV
series aircraft), </FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>has stated to our friend
</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>Jon Johanson (remember the </FONT></EM><EM><FONT
size=2>ozzie who flew around the world twice in a homebuilt RV4 a few years
back), that "outside of </FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>an RV, the Rebel is
the next best value for money on the market".....</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>Not bad praise from a guy who's designs have sold
reportedly 7000 aircraft kits & plans !</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>I appreciate where Grant states that many of Alister
Yeoman's problems stem from what most</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>would call unique and severe operating

conditions....but

we are not uneducated fools incapable</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>of discerning WHAT modifications are relevant to us
in our
particular application.  All builders</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>should be made aware of modifications and WHY they were
introduced....and be your own judge</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>as to their relevance in YOUR

instance.</FONT></EM></DIV>

<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>Such is the beauty of forums like this one and the
internet....there are no secrets these days, so </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>why not be up front  with everything. I'm sure
most,
if not all, would have greater respect for MAM</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>if this were the case.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>I am STILL trying to find some way of contacting Earl
Leaman so I can find out more details </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>regarding his main gear failure......anyone out there
got
an e-mail or snailmail (post) address</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>for Earl ???   or even a phone number
!</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>Can anyone send me a diagram of  WHAT and WHERE
things let go !?</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>(And yes, I AM aware that his failure was due to a
"hard" landing).</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2>I also found a reply to my letter
"Rebel Problems" from Ken Lehman....thanks Ken !</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>Ken states
that
MAM mailed him a "floatfix reinforcement" sheet which covered
some</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>of the modifications I
mentioned.......I'd like to state here that I, (and probably non of the other
</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>Rebel builders here in
Australia), received the same advice letter. </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>I also didn't receive any
advice from MAM that the corner wraps from the door frame to the
firewall</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>needed to be replaced with
thicker ones (though in all fairness this modification might have
been</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>standard practice by the
time
our kit (541R) was sent out !)....anyone out there know ?!?</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>I REALLY like Ken's idea or a "Checklist"
printed and updated for all to see regarding</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>"fixes" and
"updates" for the Rebel, so we can all be aware of possible
improvements.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>We tend to get very "left out in the rain"
down
here in Australia.....which may be in part due</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>to our last Rebel agent
.....who has now sold out to a new agent Ted Seymour.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>Ted has already chased
up and
rung every builder in Australia to ask where we were all up to in
</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=2>construction and how he
could
possibly help......Now THERE'S a man with some business acumen
!</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>On a different note : A few months ago, I

posted  a

redesigned Flap Handle on the </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>"Flying Rebels" </FONT></EM><EM><FONT
size=2>page....pictures and plan drawings. </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>I redesigned the handle to be a "pull down to get
down" (flaps) TEE BAR arrangement ....</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>very comfortable and a more "natural" hand
position.   I don't think it made it to this

forum.</FONT></EM></DIV>

<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>Can anyone tell me if I can send picture attachments to
"Murphy Rebels" forum for others to</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>peruse  and comment on my modification
?</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>In closing .....I would like as many builders as
possible
to read this letter....BUT....I honestly</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>don't think it is in the true vein of the intention
of the
"Forum" and as such would like to see it removed from the list in
say
a month or so...</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>I don't know who does such things, but I trust someone
will be able to oblige.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>Thanks for your time </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT color=#000000 size=2>Rick & Wendy Harper<BR>16 Tor rd, Dee
Why, <BR>N.S.W. 2099<BR>Australia<BR><A
href="mailto:rjwh@ozemail.com.au">rjwh@ozemail.com.au</A><BR><A
href="mailto:rjwh56@hotmail.com">rjwh56@hotmail.com</A><BR>Ph : 02 9971 7889
<BR>Mbl : 0416 041 007<BR>Fax : 02 9938 1480<BR>O'seas Ph : 612 9971
7889<BR>O'seas Fax : 612 9938 1480</FONT></EM></DIV></BODY></HTML>

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Bob Patterson · Post by **Bob Patterson** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 5:39 pm

Thanks for the kind words, Dave ! (Blush, blush :-) )

I have a good reason for the history - we ordered the FIRST Rebel,
before it was even built ! And we have been flying Number 001 since
1990 - now about 980 hours .... But, really, most of the good ideas
are NOT mine - they come from the members of the Rebel Builders of
Ontario (now over 100 !). All Anna & I do is hold meetings & builder
visits, and do newsletters (occasionally .. :-( ) - to help share the
knowledge & experience. We also pick up ideas at Sun 'n Fun, Oshkosh,
and on the Rebel Ramble Fly 'n Camp Trips around the country.

I didn't know that FUS-30 had been thickened - that is
'A Good Thing'(tm) :-) , BUT the doubler is likely STILL a 'Good Idea' ! :-)
The addition of the "kick-out" tailwheel helped considerably with
the original problem - the early ones were NON-swivelling, which could
really load the tail when pushed sideways or backwards !

The original bottom tail wrap was .020. The early partial doublers
were .032. Lately, folks have just been adding a second FUS-30, trimmed
a bit to reduce weight, over top of the original, with a few extra rivets.
The idea is to strengthen, in a triangular shape, the area from the
front tailwheel bolt back to the rudder post, all the way up to the
stabilizer, picking up the top bulkhead, as well. I have seen a few
early Rebels with dents or creases parallel to the rudder post, an inch
or so in front of it. As we all well know, ANY dent or crease WILL turn
into a crack someday, so the section must be repaired.

There are still Rebels flying with the .020 lower FRONT wraps, and
they are OK, as long as they don't get dented. You don't have to replace
them until you have a problem - just keep an eye on 'em ! I would not worry
much at all, if you have the .025 wraps - they're quite adequate...

There have been other factory mods to the tail area - one of the
more important ones being the triangular channels extending back into
the tailcone on the sides. They are now standard, but are a worthwhile,
but somewhat difficult to install, addition for ALL Rebels. Sorry I
don't have the part number (still haven't got my manual back ! :-( )

.......bobp

-------------------------------orig.--------------------------------------
At 10:07 AM 1/8/00 -0800, you wrote:

Hi Bob,

Bob, of all the folks on this list you are one of the most
knowledgeable on the development history of the Rebel. Your
descriptions of the mods -- and why they are relevant -- are
extremely helpful in my building.

Your reply to Rick leads me to ask more questions, though. The
"doubled skin." What was/is the thickness of the original skin? What
was/is the thickness of the doubler? I know Murphy has beefed up the
tail section since the original design. Kit #472 tail wrap skin is
.032. Not that we get much of a snow load in Southern California! ;-)

Dave & Bert Klimas
Rebel #472
Ramona, CA

Welcome to this list, Rick !

I'm really sorry - I thought you were already ON it ! I am on both
lists, and had seen letters from you, and assumed you got both - SORRY !!
Would have said something sooner if I'd realized.

Your front corner wraps very likely ARE the heavier ones - the originals
wer only .020 (and there are still plenty of those flying without problems).
They WERE sensitive to denting, which then developed into cracks. They were
increased to .025 to avoid this, then, when the Rebel Elite was developed,
it used .032, to support the larger engines. The factory decided to simplify
inventory, and standardized on the .032 for ALL Rebels. Not sure of the
latest part numbers - the originals were FUS-10, then FUS-70, and the latest
are something like FUS 532 ??? (can somebody please fill in this blank ??)

The extra wrap on the lower tail section of the fuselage is a mod. that
we do here (like several others that are mentioned in the archives) - the
"Canadian" mods :-) The reason was that they don't get a lot of heavy
snow in Chilliwack, so didn't appreciate the heavy side-loads you can get
on skis (or in deep mud !) - so we stiffened up the lower skin by doubling
it from just in front of the tail spring attach bolt, right back to the
rudder post, and up to the stabilizer. The easiest way to do this is just
order another FUS-30, trim it a bit, slather on lots of epoxy chromate,
so it bonds securely, and rivet it right over the original. (means removing
any rivets already in). We also add a few extra rivets to secure it.
This prevents buckling of the FUS-30 near the rudder post when it gets
severe side loads ...

The firewall channel between the top engine mounts is now part of
the factory 'floatfix' directive, which I'm sure they will send you a
copy of. It is also on their web site, with others. These mods are ALL
definitely 'A Good Idea' (tm) :-)

I'm sure you'll find a lot more useful information, now that you're
tuned in here !! I think the factory assumes that most builders now get
their first-line support HERE, - correctly, I think :-) , and are very
glad that this list exists !!!

.....bobp

PS
RE: the gear failure on Earl's Rebel - from what I can see, it looks
like the main gear leg broke about 8 inches above the axle. There obviously
was a very heavy impact, on one wheel only. The gear leg MAY have been
weakened by holes drilled into it to rivet on fairings - something the
factory has warned AGAINST doing !

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