Microlighters

Hi Willie,

Herewith the pics requested. Best I could find describing my comment for now:

Please note: We did not have internet or websites back then. So the the pics were few an far in between. These might not be the best pics and the aircraft was still very rough on the outside as I was busy with finishing touches whilst also doing some testing at the airfield.

But they do show the carburator scoop and belly brake. The belly brake was fabricated by building a square section with 5/8 X 5/8 stringers (same as the side longerons) and boxing on both sides with ply.

I made very, very strong hinges from aircraft aluminium and attached thoroughly behind rear face of forward main spar. The handle is a thick wall aircraft aliminium tube bolted straight to the brake - no flimsy linkages in between. This meant that you could apply any amount of desired brake at any given time.

The load on the handle at 85mph was low enough to handle with ease & I was totally satisfied with the whole concept.

The idea for the shape of my KRII came from Peter Eich's version, which, even to this day, was the nicest shaped KRII I've ever seen - in fact it did not look like a KRII anymore despite the minor changes only!

More pics:

Henni, great pictures, what happened to this KR?

I have some photo's of Peter's KR. Also have some recent photo's of Sakkie Halgreen's KR2 (ZS-UKU). Sakkie's KR is still airworthy and based in Springs. Would be nice to see this KR fly again. Will post photo's shortly

Hi FlyKR,

I'm into Project Engineering in the Control & Instrumentation side - that meant every so often re-locating to where a new project would be. God only knows how many times I've had to re-locate, with all of my house. It's scrary when I mention how many times I've moved & when building aircraft for a hobby, one's garage is filled with all kinds of machinery and partially completed projects which makes moving even more difficult.

Well, in this case I had to re-locate to Ngodwana, close to Nelspruit. I was presented with a prefab house with no garage which meant no more building. Sappi's hangar was purely an open roof only structure, so no hangers close by to finish up my project.

Under those circumstances I advertised my project for swop for a microlight and swopped it for this microlight, including instruments and ballistic chute.

For me that was a great deal as I've logged 340 hours on this aircraft whilst located there. I flew, and this was all I really wanted when building the KR.

One of the two guys that took over my project was a Nick from Roodepoort - the rest of the detail I cannot remember any more.

Up to this day I don't know where the aircraft is. Sakkie was not at all impressed with my modifications (bigger ailerons, rudder, elevator, dorsal fin, belly brake, luggage compartment where tank used to be, full span wing fuel tanks etc. and might have convinced the new owners to change it & hence I would not recognize it today, even if I see it. I can no longer remember the registration number which adds to the confusion.

Here's the microlight that took it's place:

Hi FlyKR,

Would you be able to scan & send/post some nice photos of Peter's KRII? I have only a few and quality not too good.

If you prefer to send, then to: hennie.vanrooyen@exxaro.com please.

Regards,

Henni

Henni,
I think this is a photo of your KR when it was completed. I believe it did fly but was quite heavy so the owner began rebuilding the wings (removing the tanks). As far as I know the mod's were never completed and she never flew again. Funny thing is I purchased some KR bits and pieces that included some wings with large holes cut in them. The reg number was incomplete but the first two letters where the same as this reg number, I'm using the spars for the KR1 I'm busy rebuilding.

Hi Flykr,

Yes, that's her, the reg no. is now absolutely familiar. But she looks completely different. Can definitely recognize her by the shape of the canopy, only thing that's still the same.

I am very, very tempted to purchase the partially completed KRII being advertised her. However, we just bought a new house and my wife might be too keen on the idea.

I must say, that value for money and time required & cost to built (if built strictly to plans), very few aeries would beat the KRII.

Thank you for the update - pity she did not take to the sky. I would definitely have flown her regularly if I had the opportunity to complete her.

Regards,

Henni

Some photo's of Peter Eick's KR2. Used to hang from the roof in his factory but he has since relocated it to Orient. Notice the tailwheel and some of the rear fuselage is missing…. I believe they hooked a fence with the tail wheel.

Hi FLYKR,

Thanx for the pix. Some more pics of how UXV was meant to look like:

That's really a nice looking KR, such a pity it's no longer flying.

Thanks :D
I am going to collect my new starter now and maybe I'll get the rebult Limbach started again.
Regards

Willie, this photo look familiar

Henni I like the camo couler sceme of your first pic it totally blends with the lawn.

Have a look at http://www.krnet.org/

Howzit Bennie,

I hope your weather site is accurate as I'd really like some serious flying this weekend.

But looking at your pics, you're not going to fly for a long, long time to come mate! Dunno if I would have the guts for that.

Enjoy your weekend - I'll only be back on this forumn on Monday - so everyone will have some peace & quiet for a change!

Henni