Ok - give a little - we gotta know more about that engine. What's under that cowling?
Is that the box the engine was shipped in ?????
I think it's great. He's sure to learn a lot, and may teach the VAF community a few things as well.
Is that the box the engine was shipped in ?????
Agreed ? without guys like this trying new ideas most of us would be flying C172s or Cherokees or nothing at all. It?s great to be part of it!
Quick...somebody state what new idea is being proven here.
I'm sorry fellows but I don't share the same enthusiasm. I know it's called experimental aviation but come on. This looks terrible, why ruin a great design in the RV-4. This is only my opinion.
Wish you the best of luck with Phase 1.
Wow, not a lot of love for the experimenter here. Remind me if I come up with something out of the ordinary to just keep it to myself.
I'm a firm believer in making something WORK first, then once it's working making it pretty. The cowling may not be the most streamlined and pretty looking thing, but it still beats a Pietenpol for aerodynamics. If the guy can get a water cooled auto conversion to work in that application, my hat's off to him and maybe some day we'll see a sleeker cowl. I'm not going to criticize the cosmetic aspects of someone's approach to a problem I wouldn't even consider tackling though.
Skip the philosophy lesson. (1) I've been known to experiment, and (2) I may be the only person here with a Gold Lindy for an auto conversion.
It's a straight, literal question. What new idea is being proven here?
Whether or not this particular auto conversion design can be made to work.Skip the philosophy lesson. (1) I've been known to experiment, and (2) I may be the only person here with a Gold Lindy for an auto conversion.
It's a straight, literal question. What new idea is being proven here?
Skip the philosophy lesson. (1) I've been known to experiment, and (2) I may be the only person here with a Gold Lindy for an auto conversion.
It's a straight, literal question. What new idea is being proven here?
Agree with DaleB! It may not be pretty, and it is certainly a deviation from the plans but that is what this is all about.
For all you Nay Sayers out there:
Where would we be right now if the Wright brothers stuck to bicycles?
...if no one ever tried fuel injection?
...if no one ever tried to build an airplane out of fiberglass?
...and yes, if Van himself stuck to that original Stits Playboy?
I'm guessing you probably wouldn't be criticizing others while sitting in YOUR RV-XX, you know, the one that is the product of MANY modifications throughout it's design history...
Agree with DaleB! It may not be pretty, and it is certainly a deviation from the plans but that is what this is all about.
For all you Nay Sayers out there:
Where would we be right now if the Wright brothers stuck to bicycles?
...if no one ever tried fuel injection?
...if no one ever tried to build an airplane out of fiberglass?
...and yes, if Van himself stuck to that original Stits Playboy?
I'm guessing you probably wouldn't be criticizing others while sitting in YOUR RV-XX, you know, the one that is the product of MANY modifications throughout it's design history...
I guess I am just too old. To me, this is what it is all about, experimenting with any engine available. I cannot understand and am ashamed of all the negative comments when we should be applauding his efforts.
So, let's say the builders wife happened to be in the background of the picture and she is a beautiful woman except for one thing...she has a giant nose. Would the people making fun of the cowling think it is acceptable to make fun of her nose?
What's not beautiful about a big nose? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This could quickly get worse than primer wars.
Bevan
I agree. I would guess this builder's goal is not to build a rock solid cross country machine, but to see if he can explore what an inexpensive auto conversion can do. He paid for his kit just like the next guy, I'm not going to tell him what he can or can't do with it. It's not like the guy defaced Mt. Rushmore (which itself really irritated a lot of people, I'm sure).It is all fun and games until the prop stops in flight. I finally saw the light and have 381 hours on my Lycoming IO-360. I learned if you are not an automobile engineer with lot's of time to fiddle, and want a machine that you can take out of town, it is best to go with a proven product.
As long as the post is civil and not libel, what's wrong with saying it's ugly? Are we only allowed to post if we agree with one group's position?
I guess I am just too old. To me, this is what it is all about, experimenting with any engine available. I cannot understand and am ashamed of all the negative comments when we should be applauding his efforts.
Perhaps the builder simply wanted to adapt that engine to that airframe. Nothing wrong with that, it's every bit as valid a goal as hanging a Lycoming on it.
Personally, I'm very glad we have the freedom to do this.
I keep looking at the photos and I keep thinking a cowling somewhat like the P-40 might work on this installation.
Functional isn't necessarily ugly.
Ugly isn't necessarily functional.