Hempel 46% Pawnee?

[LRFitch]

Are there any of Bill's 46% Pawnees being used in the USA--to your knowledge? I've seen some build threads on the big Pawnee, but as I recall they were all by tuggers in Australia. Any way to contact some US fliers about their experiences?

Larry Fitch

[lenb]

The only one I know of is the one Rossco has in Australia

[LRFitch]

Len, Thanks
I think I've read two Australian build threads on other forums, but I've not seen any from US-based flyers.

Larry

[LRFitch]

Just to complete the topic, I did get a nice reply from Bill about the big Pawnee. He is currently out of stock, but they are still available. He has sold several, but mostly to customers overseas in Australia and Europe. He did say that a few have been sold in the USA, so maybe we will see one now and then. Not really sure why I even asked this line of questioning. My real glider goal in ownership is one of his 50% Ka6s, and obviously, what better to tow it with than a big Pawnee. Just saying---

[Rossco]

There a great model to fly, just not a great airframe unless your prepared to rework it.

[Rossco]

with a fair bit of modification the model will be a winner. this not only offers longevity for a hard life but also allows the airframe to cope with the extra power from the 3W 342.

[LRFitch]

Rossco, Thanks for the reply. Very good to know. Have you done one of your wonderful "build threads" somewhere on the "how/what to change"? I haven't seen it yet, and would love to look at what's needed to make a tougher airframe. I see you have used a huge 3W-342 in yours. I wouldn't go quite that strong, but I'll bet there isn't much you can't tow to altitude-- and quickly.

Larry Fitch

[Rossco]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n5496[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n5497[/ATTACH] some of the changes include sheeting the forward fuse in 1mm ply sides sheeting the bottom in 1.5mm ply glueing the front to the rear of the fuse, new undercarriage made from aircraft grade chrome olley tubing with stainless hinge mounts, a new redesigned tow release, cast alloy tail wheel assembly with custom leafe spring and mount. the rear fuse has 9.5x9.5mm balsa sriffeners added to tgw sides of the fuse behind the pky diagonals with diagonal trussing accross the fuse to stiffen the rear fuse. The turtle decks have all been fibre glassed in 3oz S glass to stabilise the turtle decks (crappy foam) then there is the redesigned and new 1" thick ply carbon laminated firewall with 1" diameter dowls between the new and old.and the 3mm ply doublers over the engi e box which is glued and dowled through the structure to tie things together upfront. loads of work but easy stuff, just time consuming.

[Rossco]

Here you go Larry. I've opened up the first wing for refinishing and have now glassed the sheeted areas and overlapped the cap strip joints. from what I can tell Bill has done a pretty good job with the wings and have nice timber spars in the wings. for longevity Ive fibreglassed the wings and will be fabric covering the open bays in fabric. my choice is Polyfibre lite applied with shrinking dope.

[LRFitch]

Rossco, Thanks for all the details and photos. It all helps.

Larry

[Rossco]

Hi Larry at some point I had the build up in rcat forum but it hasn't come across to the new one.
If it helps though I have taken photis of all the changes I've made. we also have jigs and patterns for the chrome olley undercarriage and cast alloy tailwheel assemblies. Ill be making patterns and molds for the wing strut covers and will be reworking thw jurry struts so that they fold flat for better storage with the struts, Should make life a lot easier.

[Rossco]

Apologies Elliot I just reread an old thread on scale soaring Uk this should give you some rework pointers / ideas.....

http://scalesoaring.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=269

[Rossco]

Started covering the first wing of the Pawnee today. began with the lower wing tip followed buy the top.using my favourite fabric, Polyfibre lite and glueing it down with good old Model Engines dope. ovce dried I then set about shringing and doping the fabric. then came covering the main wing panel starting at the trailing edge and the end rib and working my way along the leading edge. once stuck down this too was shrunk and dope applied to the ribs to glue the fabric down after first shrinking. the fabric was then lapped around the leading edge in 1 piece all the way back to just past the trailing edge. This eliminates the seam on the leading edge making for a much stronger wing and tidier covering. I have to say I love the fact that the roll is 1400mm wide. makes covering a 46% wing way easier!

[Rossco]

thats the trimming and pinks all done. onto fibreglassing the flaps and ailerons.