May 16, 2007

Special Dispatch -- NOOTSAK RANCH, Washinton, May 15 -- Construction on the Nootsak Superflitzer began officially at approximately 7:30 pm Pacific Standard Time. (Or is it Daylight Savings Time? This reporter always forgets and is too damned lazy to look it up. Screw you ED.)

When asked for a comment, Ranch Foreman and Superflitzer Builder and Enthusiast Jim Danner cried: "Release the Snargashers!" When asked for clarification, he added: "They'll not be restrained!" Then he chased this reporter off his Ranch with a large club.

Release the Snargashers indeed.

May 16, 2007

Lynn,

Does this look right? I added the 7/8" doubler on the upper longeron, as shown on the Z-1 Type R sheet (drg. # Z123-R) Then filled in with Doug. Fir blocks. (I didn't think that long tapered corner block on the upper longeron ( shown on the 1:8 scale Z-3 sheet) was necessary with the extra doubler. But can easily add it, if it is.--this is all only rough cut and nothing is glued.) Could you explain more about the undercarriage block?

Jim

That's fine, Jim. The undercarriage block is the 60 degree triangulation block which is really a left-over from the Z-21 which has thru' firewall bolt mountings and carries the load into the firewall. You have plenty of material there, top and bottom, given that there are now double shear fittings. The firewall is really overbuilt on the Z-3 because the front end was adapted originally from the same type of firewall bulkhead-bolted engine mounting as on the Z-21, hence the corner blocks in the firewall, but OK, it's a small price maybe to pay for a rock-solid front end.

Cheers,

Lynn

Thanks. I thought that's what you were talking about but wanted to make absolutely certain. (Thought just maybe it could be blocks projecting downward from the lower longerons to reinforce the landing gear but hadn't been drawn yet...)

I'm determined to work on it a bare minimum of one hour each night (even after a long day like yesterday) in an effort to beat Baldamus's depressing projection of 2010!

Jim

May 19, 2007 - The Gift

Found this small wooden biplane and accompanying note in my shop this evening. (Note reads: "Got mine done!")

Oh! The Cruelty!