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February 19, 2007

Many are waiting with bated breath for the next newsletter from the Connecticut Flitzer Werke. Truth be told, we have been too busy building to get the news together, let alone file snippets online. But the arrival of the superb set of brakes from Ian Wasey was a milestone one cannot let pass. Within seconds the brake pedals were mounted to the rudder pedals and the whole kit trial fitted as you can see in the attached photo. The pic also shows the standard seat lowered by at least one inch, and the WWI Le Rhone throttle quadrant to be fitted to the Morrisov machine.

Much more before very long.....there has been a lot of progress. As Ernst Kessler would say, March every day or die.

The Connecticut Flitzer Werke makes progress every day, sometimes large, often small. But every day.

The next Morrisov missive is planned for early March. Brace yourselves!!

March 8, 2007

This week marks the sixth month of fuselage construction of the Morrisov machine; now the primary structure is complete the details are taking more and more time. Progress just appears to have slowed; in reality the smaller parts are coming along quite fast. Attached: the latest newsletter, to mark the six month milestone.

April 4, 2007

This picture of the museum quality Connecticut Z-21 looks like it belongs in the Smithsonian, uncovered for all to admire. It shows the different stages at which builders choose finally to skin the fuselage, Ivan keeping his options open for installing equipment until the last possible moment.

Ever conscious of how this thing should look, Ivan has raised the firewall bow slighty to offset the effect of shortening the forward fuselage for the AeroVee. This will allow the more rounded 'bull nose' of the prototype to be maintained, rather than a slimmer nose prevail, which would be the result of keeping that frame the standard height at the more aft position. Nothing escapes Ivan.

July 10, 2007 - Tailbay

Here's a series of pictures sent by Ivan (John Morris) of the Connecticut Flitzerwerke, showing the tailbay details, skeg, rudder cable guides, etc.

The second picture shows the balsa tail-end to the decking wrap. This is one of the few Flitzers that's actually been built this way, ie. technically as drawn. Note the string laser to align the frames.

The Z-1S in Germany and Dudley's Z-1R are both upholding the exceptional workmanship standards as displayed here by John, and indeed by many others that we've seen via emails from around the world.

It makes me proud to have designed an aeroplane which seems to inspire such enthusiasm and bring out such skills, but it's also humbling to consider the degree of faith placed in the range of Flitzer development types which have gained recent popularity. It has been my aim to ensure that these, sometimes more advanced variants like the Stummels and Z-2, plus the lightweight simplified types such as the Goblin and Meteor Speedwing, meet or exceed the performance and handling achieved by the Z-1 prototype and Z-21 'series' models. This too will be reflected in the quality of the drawings, which should provide greater clarity and require fewer updates that those added to the Z-21 over time. The Z-21 of course has been a story of increasing sophistication with the addition of brakes and motors incorporating self-starters, increased endurance, the potential addition of active trimming systems and eventually, it is hoped, a co-axial PSRU. The supply of plywood, timbers, pre-cut timber and metal kits, steel tube stock from the USA, drum brakes, and even a source of (Hoosier) treadless tyres for the standard Honda C90 wheel rims have all come about in the years since the Flitzer first appeared and offered as a plans-built only design.

I am about to get the first detail drawings of the advanced F.2 Tiger printed. Let's hope the next decade brings about even greater things.

Best regards,

July 30, 2007 - Chassis

A nice picture of Ivan's landing gear fitted with Wasey brakes and Hoosier tyres.

July 30, 2007 - Cabane Jigging

Here's an excellent method of Z-21 cabane jiggery from Ivan and the welded cabane.

July 30, 2007 - Pressing Issue

Innovative emergency clamping pressure applied at the Connecticut Flitzerwerke.

August 5, 2007 - Decking Attachment

Here's the latest from John Morris in Connecticut. Some good tips here.

October 5, 2007 - 53 liter fuel tank

Hi Guys -

Today I picked up the Morrisov machine (Z-21) gas tank from the welder. This tank is narrower (front to back) than usual as my firewall is moved back 2.5 inches to accommodate the AeroVee. But by modifying the firewall-longeron gussets (with Lynn's approval) and adding a "box" to the back of the tank between the mounting straps I have managed to add enough fuel capacity to cope with the thirstier engine (though total AUW is, of course, a consideration). Photos atached - zip folder.

Why not a bigger box at the back of the tank? You need full forward stick!

And lastly, while a tiny cockpit cutout looks racy, one must still get the tank in through that hole.

This tank holds exactly 14 U.S. gallons (53 liters, 11.66 UK gallons).

Needless to say, with this potential range the Baron will now have to add a stout piece of string to his personal preflight checklist!

April 29, 2008 - Celebration!

The Connecticut Flitzer Werke today celebrated the pre-cover inspection by my EAA Technical Counsellor, paving the way for the next chapter in resurrecting the Morrisov machine.

Prost! - Baron Morrisov

June 16, 2008 - Baron Morrisov's fabric work

Group,

Here's a picture of the neat fabric work around the Connecticut Flitzerwerke Z-21 cockpit.

More of Ivan's fabric work.

Last one of the Connecticut Flitzerwerke fabric work pictures for now.

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All looking nice. Is that ceconite? I assume that's why it has the green/blue tinge. Cheers, Mark

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Hi Mark - yes, it is ceconite. But the reason it is that color is because of the glue. I am using the Stewart System (now STC'd) which uses water-based adhesive and filler and water-borne paints. There are many advantages, including clean-up with water, and a glue that one doesn't have to race. http://www.stewartsystems.aero/ No more sniffing the dope! Cheers - John

June 24, 2008 - Ready for Spraying

Group,

Here's Baron Ivan Morrisov's immaculate Connecticut Flitzer fuselage covered and ready for spraying.

Can't wait to see it in its Bavarian lozenges!

July 4, 2008 - Morrisov Z-21A fuselage primed

Group,

Here's the latest picture from Baron Morrisov in Connecticut showing the primed fuselage ready for the blue/white Bavarian lozenge scheme. It looks so perfect it's almost a shame to break it up with coloured shapes. The dark 5-lozenge camouflage wing fabric will contrast beautifully with this however as will the white tailgroup and black crossed-bones of the Imperial Death or Glory Escadrille as borne by Kazakov's machine. (Kazakov used to tear enemy aircraft apart in WW1 by towing a marine anchor beneath his Morane.)

Super Ivan. It's going to be a stunning aeroplane.

August 8, 2008 - Progress methinks

Hi Peter - attached are a couple of pics of the upper wing root ends after cutting and filing to allow the cabane to fit.

However, I should point out that if the cabane diagonals are lowered where they join the truss at the top rear, and if they are welded to the inside of the truss at the top cluster instead of straight onto the downtubes, there should not be a clearance issue in the first place.

Prost! - Morrisov

Connecticut Flitzer Werke

Left Side

Left Side

Right Side

August 13, 2008 - Morrisov Z-21A fuselage primed

Wednesday was a nice day for an outing (and to clean out the Flitzer Werke).

The grey is the Stewart Systems UV blocker/fabric sealer.

What a shame to cover up the woodwork, the Baroness said, but I want to fly it so there's no choice. I told her I would build another Flitzer to leave uncovered as a work of art for the living room. There is, she says, some practicality in putting on fabric and we really don't need one for static display.

Prost! - Morrisov

Connecticut Flitzer Werke

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