Group,

Some more inspirational pictures for those embarking on Flitzer builds.

This is David Ashley's fuselage for the Flitzer Z-21A which has rapidly been taking shape in a secret Flitzerbunker in London, shades of underground manufacture of fighters in the darkest days of the war in Europe. Note the longerons are Douglas Fir.

David tells me that he will definitely be fitting the Belgian UL260i motor. Same weight as a basic 60 hp. VW but with 95 hp. and starter and generator included! It will loop from cruising speed with that installation!

Group,

Here's David Ashley's Z-21A first 'roll out' of fuselage - started 9 months ago today.

He's been meticulous, even pedantic in his following of the plans and punctilious in asking questions if anomalies appeared. The result is evident in his workmanship. I think he is now relaxing and ejoying it more and more. :0)

Cheers,
Lynn

Hi Group

A few days ago I received the first three sets of water jet cut fuselage profiles, destined for Colin Cheese, David Ashley and Laurie Woodage.

As you can see in the attached photo, each profile is retained in the parent sheet by a small tang, rather like an Airfix kit. Unlike the laser cut profiles I've used in the past, unlike laser cutting there is no edge hardening, so when the profiles are 'snapped' out of the sheet, the small pip left on them is easily removed with a few stroked of a file.

The finish is first rate, with hardly any burrs on the edges. I've found a quick lick on the wire brushing machine is all that's required to clean them up. The holes have been left a fraction undersize and unlike laser cut profiles, they can be easily reamed to size.

The sharp eyed among you will notice that the carry throughs have been duplicated, so the set will cater for both fuselage widths, also the forward undercarriage mounting brackets are duplicated to cope with both fuselage lengths...

David has asked me supply his profiles already bent and I intend to keep a photo record of the bending process, that I'll post in due course.

Regards,

Ian Wasey
mob 07885 257134

Dear Lynn,

It is cold in my workshop because I have been in London for the last few days. I am one for a warm worshop, and I do not work until it gets to 60 degrees!

This week my project is one year old.

I am now at the stage where I have the bare bones of a fuselage,the tail complete and all the wing components pretty much done. The choice of engine is not finalised. In the absense of a radial engine that turns at 1400 rpm and weighs 160 lbs, I have two options,

a) Wait to see Ruperts experiments with his geared drive.

b)Visit Devon in the Spring and see the only flying UL260i in the UK... It is on a renagade which should be flying by then.

The powerplant of choice is the one that gives the greatest cruise speed, with the least fuel burn. Climb rate will be exceptional with either powerplant. This firewall forward decision has a knock on effect for the rest of the aircraft, so I am leaving my options open.

My flitzer is at he stage where there are a hundred little things to be done. so when I enter my workshop there is no longer one thing greeting me, but lots. I have decided on a colour. From the Latecoere -Late 28 French airliner of the mid twenties. A muted green with a pearl white tail. I will send a sketch soon.

Best Regards David

Greetings from snow bound Wales.

My Flitzer will have an aerovee. I have the same dilemna as yourself not really knowing where the c of g is going to be, so I have made a provision for an installation of my battery behind the seat. The Aero Vee makes the Flitzer nose heavy, and even though I have moved station zero back, I still think that I will have a rear C of G; Rupert does and he has a 5 lb weight in his tail.

The other reason why I want to place the battery here is that it is impossible to hand start an Aero Vee without a mod. (One of the mods. Rupert is about to do). I will have a receptacle for a 12v ground power unit on the hinged acces door to the Battery compartment. How annoying is it to have a blue sky day, a dead battery, and no way to start the engine! If the C of G is too far forward to use the compartment, which I very much doubt as I am not that heavy, then no problem as I can use it to store important items such as a yellow reflective jacket, a sleeping bag/tent, or an elt unit. Sorry the photo is dark, I have not installed lights in my new workshop yet...

David Ashley.

Here is a photo of my workshop last month.

David Ashley.