Building the new Bushbaby SAFARI

[Boet]

Are those the final format LG legs? Mmmmm. Jaaaa, working with epoxy can be a messy job. We work with it all the time!!

[Oupa-G]

This is the 12mm leg I'll do all the testing on it the 14mm is in the pipeline but I first want to taxi an feel the final wheel position at the moment the axle is 50mm behind the leading edge as per the Loeriesfontein Guru. Luckily the undercarraidge is just bolted on with 4 bolts and the two wheels with 8 boutjies. So I'm pushing for the deadline which I now have set end April. Otto is putting his mind around the wiring.

Cheers lekker slaap almal Oupa-G

[Oupa-G]

All the measuring and Cleco fitting is finished and all the Camloc fasteners the female side were riveted to the stainless backing and then the backing plate is now glued onto the cowling with Epidermix 372 again I ended with more glue in my hair beard nostrils but it does not seem to go where I want it . I admire people that build composite airplanes. Also a photo of the roll of wiring that will be used on the Bosvark it is Teflon covered wire twisted pair and screened . We try and keep electrical interference as low as possible more on this detail later when we are doing the actual wiring loom. I'm of to bed hope that by tomorrow I will get the Cleco's out without to much trouble. The best time is in 4hours but that interferes with sleeping.

Cheers Oupa-G

[GateKeeper]

Hi Oupa-G,

How are you going stop the potential rattle of the cooling shroud, on the engine fins?

Are you going to put a rubber/silicon molding on the edge?

Post some more, I need my fix!

Jonathan

[Boet]

The rear parts will get little stainless brackets and springs to pull them snug around the cylinders. All the small gaps around the engine block gets sealed with silicon sealer. The baffles fit so nice around the engine, it is not neccesary to be bolted or screwed on anywhere.

[Oupa-G]

Hi Gatekeeper as Boet was saying the baffles fit very well . I have some model airplane fuel tubing silicone that is quite thick walled and the spring tension will keep the baffles an integral part of the engine luckily the engine is a very smooth runner but once we have the engine running for a 100hrs we will be in a better position to judge we are planning to give a running update so that the experience can be shared with fellow aviators. At this stage the biggest problem is transferring the exact size of the baffles to the computer so that the baffles can be precisely laser cut.

Cheers Oupa-G

[Oupa-G]

Today spent every single spare minute preparing and riveting the Camloc fasteners. In my opinion they are the finest in the industry. Bit of PT to drill debur and squeeze the solid rivets. What however is nice that they pull tight against a spring and it stabilizes the whole cowling. They make for a fitting that does not rattle or work loose. If you want to see them in real life just next time look at a C210 cowling. One of the nicest cowling in the store bought aircraft market. Enclosed some pictures of the various components and also the special tool I made for drilling the holes.
Enjoy the photo's

Cheers Oupa-G

[Oupa-G]

Some more detail photo's

Cheers Oupa-G

[Boet]

For the time being I will leave Oupa to entertain you guys, self and softness wil be leaving for the big smoke in 10 minutes time. Petoorsdorp this eve, and Komatipoort tomorrow. Hope for a safe trip. Planning to be back on Wednesday next week. See ya!!

[kloot piloot]

Boet's last post: "3:52 AM" !

Burning that midnight oil, hey ?

[KFA]

On his way to the mamparalanga province. Will see Boet tomorrow and have lots of braaivleis this weekend.

[Oupa-G]

All the fittings are in place on the cowling and the measuring and moving and riveting is done so from now on all bolts that are put in place are the permanent bolts all 8.8 grade. Spent this afternoon at my friendly bolt store TopFast in Paardeneiland and spent a quick R2500 on a bag full of bolts. Those long 300mmx12mm bolts that hold the engine on to the sub frame are not cheap. From now on no more temporary bolts everything I assemble from now on is the real McCoy. This part of the assembly is the fun part installing injectors fuel lines second pickup's etc etc. I will do a constant photo documentation. If it gets boring scream and I will stop.

Cheers Oupa-G

[Oupa-G]

Just back from a night flight to Beaufort West. The N1 has its fair share of accidents. worked all afternoon making spacers and positioning the second sensor for the Eboxi system. This pickup of the separate signal makes the second system 100% independent. Now that the cowling is finished the nice work is starting . Still hesitant to give a completion date but I can feel it coming closer. I'm also showing the 60-2 ring that triggers the sensor. The sensor comes from the camshaft sensor which is now obsolete using the double Eboxi system. Enjoy the photo's sometimes not easy to orientate.

Cheers Oupa-G

[Oupa-G]

Some more photo's on the same topic. Today the # of hits passed the 17000 mark. I will try not to disappoint from now on there will be a lot of detail information.

Cheers Oupa-G

[Oupa-G]

Replaced the 100hp motor with a 110hp engine which will be the permanent engine in the Bosvark. The 100hp engine is going to my trike and the trike engine on which the original R&D was done is going into Boet's Explorer. I supplied this engine to Boet on condition that he will do as many hrs as possible. We are now interested in high time engine hrs. The second Safari from Anton is getting a120hp engine. It will be interesting to see the difference in performance. So far we have limited the take off rpm to 7000rpm which gives 74kw The gearbox ratio is 3.2 to 1 The limitation on the Woodcomp prop is 2600 rpm that means the take-off rpm can be at least 7500rpm on the 120hp engine the factory red line is 8500rpm. I must say that the engines purr at 7000rpm without any signs of distress or vibration. We cruise them at 5500 rpm and then it feels if you can sit there all day all year. The oil temps on the trike's run around 100C and the other day when we had 35C air temps my trike was at 107C. The thermostat only fully opens at 115C. Getting my oil cooler for the Bosvark next week as well as the exhaust and that will give some nice pictures. Happy reading.

Ps. Note the higher powered engines have black casings the 1200GS is silver.

Cheers Oupa-G