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  #21  
Old 01-26-2010, 08:55 AM
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pierre smith pierre smith is offline
 
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Default Cubic dollars...

..are the rest of the equation.

The few years I helped with my boss's -51 showed me early on that it was the really deep pockets/sponsorships that made the most speed, as in motorports. If you have a waaaaay larger than average money source, go for it, otherwise it could be nothing more than an idea....and there are many of those out there that failed.

Best,
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  #22  
Old 01-26-2010, 09:17 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael White View Post
Bill,
The Legend was originally designed around a liquid cooled V8, hence the radiator scoop. IIRC, there were problems with the V8...don't remember exactly if they were cooling issues or reliability issues...that led to the installation of the turbine. Most Legend builders have either reduced the size of the scoop, faired it over or removed it entirely as it is no longer needed.

Best,
At the time the legend was designed and kit production started the cost of the V8/PSRU skyrocketed well beyond projections. At the same time the Walter Turbines were plentiful and cheap by comparison.

The molds were already made and several kits produced when the decision was made which is why the scoop stayed.
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  #23  
Old 01-26-2010, 09:21 AM
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Default Sport class

Yes, cubic dollars availability is a factor, but it is a much smaller factor when you participate in the Sport Class venue. The years I raced, I flew there, raced, and flew home with no worries. Heck, I'd bet at least 75% of the Sport class racers do this, or at least expect to. The course is at 5000'MSL, so without forced induction, you can't even get to 100% power. As I recall, I saw 26"MP while turning 2600RPM, ~21GPH, and the ASI showed ~195KIAS; this was good enough for 4th in the Bronze race. Temps/pressures stayed in the green the whole time, so I wasn't worried about the engine. In fact, Doug R is still flying that engine, and I don't think it's had more than oil & plug changes since then.

So, Sport class racing can be done without spending your $$$ by the shoebox full. SARL racing, done at generally lower altitudes, is probably more stress on the normally aspirated engines than Reno, tho we have seen no racing related engine problems to date.

I expect that for the Super Sport participants, the cubic dollar factor is a few steps higher, tho the scale could be logarithmic, kinda like the earthquake scale. I don't think I will ever get far enough into the program to find that answer!

Unlimited? Not in my future, or my wallet, but they sure are a kick to watch, as are the other classes.

Carry on!
Mark
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  #24  
Old 01-26-2010, 10:04 AM
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Bill Wightman Bill Wightman is offline
 
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Default The Legend...

What I see in your drawing looks alot like the "Legend". The Legend used to be powered by a 572ci Rodeck big block, about 580 crank HP if I remember right. It was clean as an ice pick, and SUPER nice to fly. I was a bit saddened to see the Rodeck get replaced by the Walter M601 turbine, even though the Walter is more powerful, etc its just not the same as flying behind that huge V8.



If you can get your hands on one of these, it can be flown with the Walter or you could probably refit it with the V8. I think the plane was designed to take 1000HP in the nose. Lots and lots of carbon in that airframe. www.turbinelegend.com
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  #25  
Old 01-26-2010, 10:51 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GeeBeeFan View Post
... My ideas are pretty far out there and the deeper I get into this the clearer it is becoming that I need to totally redesign the entire aircraft...

Stop in here and poke around... http://www.homebuiltairplanes.com/forums/

Lots of good info!
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  #26  
Old 01-26-2010, 11:44 AM
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Default Bugatti Veyron W16

I'm surprised someone hasn't mentioned the Bugatti Veyron W16 engine. With 1000 hp and four turbochargers, who cares how much it costs or how much it weighs? It'd definitely turn heads at the run-up pad!
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  #27  
Old 01-26-2010, 02:17 PM
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I don't care too much for the sound of the Veyron, so I'll take it's little brother, the W12. Even made a post about it HERE
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  #28  
Old 01-26-2010, 07:12 PM
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Default Its all about: Kerosene!

I just passed 1000 reliable hours in my Rocket with a standard aircraft engine with plenty of power producing stellar performance. If you're going to bolt a non-standard engine in a Rocket why not go with modern technology: JET power! A turboprop generates 4 times more HP per pound than a piston engine and is far superior in reliability.

Having spent alot of time over very cold water and bad guy land on one engine I can tell you what I would go with...

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Last edited by smokyray : 01-26-2010 at 07:14 PM.
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  #29  
Old 01-27-2010, 11:34 AM
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Default

'Cause reno doesn't like turboprops. I understand where this is coming from, but from someone else that's done Reno (and probably will be 're'building something in the next 5 years to race...) it's WAY more than one guy can tackle. To do it right you need an airframe (easy part), money (sponsors? don't count on it, unless you can find a private one), and a crew that is as knowledgeable about the airplane as the builder.

And an engine guy

And money

Oh yeah, and two weeks of vacation in September for the whole crew...
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Last edited by osxuser : 01-27-2010 at 11:35 AM. Reason: English>me
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  #30  
Old 01-27-2010, 04:41 PM
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GBF:

The artist's concept sure looks great...it'll be purty, that's for sure!

I saw Tom's recommendation to look at Mark's newest F1 design, and was thinking the same thing. If Mark feels it could handle the V8, then it may be worth considering...very sleek and strong airframe starting point! And I don't think the ever-humble Boss mentioned in this thread that it may have an option for retractable gear...so that might catch your eye as well.

Fitting the engine might be a hurdle, as you alluded to in the first post. Mark's thought that it's not as far a leap as putting a 540 in an 8 (or in my case in a 6 [bought flying with the big motor]), is encouraging. I have a buddy in Vegas that is building a Thorp, redesigned to be a single seater for racing. His initial plan was to go with the LS1, but due to physical size limitations, he's opting for a souped-up V6. Don't have more specifics, but he's talking pretty big HP...short of an LS1, but pretty impressive. The Thorp is an interesting starting point for the project in terms of clean racing lines, but he built and flies a T-18 and likes the airframe. I think starting with a Rocket will put you out in front from the git go!

I like Smokey's TP idea too...if you could make it fit, a PT-6 or Walter-powered F1 would purr like a kitten and eat up sky like a lion! But as Steve said, it puts you out of the standard RARA classes.

Of course there's always the Thunder Mustang with it's Falconer 12-banger. John Parker down the street at American Air Racing has a stocker for sale for just $675 large! Cool, but yikes!

Good luck, it'll be fun to watch your racer's development!

Cheers,
Bob
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