noted on the message board. I have a Lycoming E2D including speed cowl with prop spacer
and metal McCauley prop. I did as Murphy suggested and cut the firewall back three
inches. Given the heavy "front end" I beefed up the firewall to cage area by installing
four 0.625 square tubes (the same stuff the door frame is made of) underneath the delrin
bearings supporting the rudder pedals. The square tubes run fore/aft and are riveted to
the bottom .050 pan. I then placed a "false" floor on top of these tubes. Structurally
this prevents any "oil canning" of the engine area as a result of a hard landing and
"ties" the firewall to the cage area. No need for any other modifications vis a vis
corner wraps et al.
I compensated for the forward Cof G by incorporating a laterally mounted "header" tank
located one bulkhead behind the fuselage "crank" and it holds two (Imperial) gallons.
Located battery, ELT, and strobe lite power pack on (beefed up) floor in same location so
with tail cone vinyl cover the whole mess is not visible from cockpit area. Empty weight
C of G is 12.2 inches at 1016 lbs. While the static C of G is almost perfect I was
somewhat apprehensive of the aircraft characteristics from a "dynamic" or landing
perspective. This turned out to be a "non problem" but I must admit to being a rank
amateur in light aircraft despite fumbling around for 5000 hours as a Naval Aviator.
Hope this helps!
Legeorgen@cs.com wrote:
*-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------*Thanks Rick for the comments. I expect to have the same configuration (0320
E2D, light starter, alternator and warp drive) but without the firewall mod.
I most likely would have cut the firewall back but the kit was purchased
second hand and the fuselage was complete without this mod. I didn't want to
remodel it. My plan was to offset the C of G with tail mounted battery and
ELT. I'm aware of the inertia of momentum thing, but don't think it will be a
big problem (cross my fingers). I may have to play around with the C of G,
but I like to fly around with a lot of stuff so It most likely will not be a
big deal.
I had a conversation with Daryl and Brian at MAM about this, a few months
ago, and it was their position that most of us fly solo and lightly loaded
90% of the time. And they have a good point. But they did admit, when the
plane is loaded up it made little difference were the firewall was.
Understandably so, as everything you put in the plane, including fuel, is aft
loading the C of G. I would be interesting to fly each others Rebel after
we're up, to compare, seeing how we will have identical crafts with exception
to the firewall mod... Ps. I did rig my elevator with 35 deg. up.
What warp drive did you use? Taper tip or square? what was the blade length?
Bruce G 357R
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