Original Posted By: "Billy McCaskill"
Hi folks,I just joined this list (although I've lurked around and read various topics fora while.) I'm here to learn more about the Model A conversions. I'm not buildinga Piet, my interest is in WWI fighter aircraft replicas, much like theGraham Lee Nieuport replicas.I and some others with similar interests have been looking for a long time foran appropriate engine to use in reduced scale replicas with inline engines. Wekeep coming back to the proven Model A conversions.I'd appreciate any and all information on specifics. In particular, engine weight,prop selection, approximate real-world operating numbers such as thrust,operating RPM ranges, speed range on the Piet (because while the project we'reworking on is only single-place and empty weight is similar, gross will be lessbut drag a bit higher due to all the wires- even though wingspan is a bit lessit is a biplane) what modifications are good and what to avoid, and sourcesfor parts. I've already found a lot of good information on here, but I think since it is aPiet-specific online community here there are some presumptions that folks already"just know" some of the things that I have questions about.So, here are a few specific questions that I hope someone with actual experiencewith the A/B conversions can help with.What is the real, observed cruise and max speed of a model A equipped Piet? Atwhat RPM and with what prop? What modifications to the engine to get thosenumbers? What I've found so far was mention of 76x42 to 76x46 prop (and the one with the"monster" modded one with at 76x56???) turning just under 2000 RPM for the firsttwo in static tests... what do those unload to in the air? (RPM that is)What is the normal "cruise" RPM? RPM on full throttle climbout? WHICH prop?(What company makes it?) Insert or babbitt? Pressure oiling or dip? Single mag, dual mags, point ignition,or electronic? (I need to avoid the last 2... I'm under the umbrella ofDFW so I want to avoid an engine driven electrical system and hence the transponder.)I've found a virtually unlimited supply of cores (Model T Haven in Iola, KS, whichhappens to be about a 15 minute drive from my dad's home... easy "side trip"on a visit for me.) I've been there... they have PILES of cores. The aircraft we're working on should have about the same operating speed rangeas I believe the Piet does... 90-ish mph top speed, probably 850# gross weight,a bit more wing area and wire drag though. Information on what folks are doingon the Piet with the A or B should give us a good tool to make a S.W.A.G.at the prop selection and mods to make to have this work in our project. The guy doing the actual design is a real, honest-to-goodness rocket scientist...a safety engineer on the shuttle program who has retired from NASA and nowconsults, so I'm comfortable with whatever he decides. He's asking me for "realworld" numbers on the engine to be sure it meets the needs of this project.Thanks in advance for any help! Brad--------First rule of ground school: This is the ground... don't hit it going fast.Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Nice project for the right person...