Building the new Bushbaby SAFARI

[Oupa-G]

As die winterweer ophou sal ek vir julle presies sê

Cheers Oupa-G

[Oupa-G]

The rain has subsided and I had planned to go to the Olifants-river mouth but the toddlers spoilt my weekend by falling of Jungle Jim's and instead I spent Friday evening in theatre fixing up toddler faces.

I did have a quick chance to put the Bosvark on jacks to start changing the gear. In the photo I parked the newgear in front of the old gear which is now suspended because the jacks are carrying the weight. One can see the subtle changes as well as less acute bends with a much more favourable radius to prevent stress points. It will be put in tomorrow.

Cheers Oupa-G

[KFA]

Hoe lyk dit met die foto's van die AOA asb Oupa?

[Oupa-G]

Stefan I enclose the AoA the top is the pitot tube the middle is the static line the front is closed and the holes are on the side this gives a neutral static line. The bottom pipe is the other part of the AoA. I today installed the new gear I taxied and I think I got it right , the Bosvark is full of fuel and the position of the gear is superb the gear is absorbing all the slightest bumps. The wind was strong Westerly and 90 degrees on the runway and I felt that it would not be so clever to fly. Enjoy the pics


Oupa-G

[Oupa-G]

The wind is keeping me on the ground. Finished the gear and some construction details. The shape was changed as well as the angles all this was only possible having a prototype on which you can see how the steel behaves. It is a balance between soft enough and not to soft or to hard. On the new gear we only cut the blade from the back shifting the axle centre 25mm forward which I personally like. It is always a compromise but if you are going to land on rough and soft surfaces then having more weight on the tail has its advantage. If the angle of attack is 12 degrees or more as soon as the aircraft attains flying speed and the weight and balance is correct then the wing will support the weight and the plane will fly, it may lengthen the take-off but she will also not tip on her nose. If however you want to compete in short take-off and landing competitions then having the gear further back is more beneficial. I enclose a photo of the brake line support I used the arrows from the bow and arrow sport luckily they also ruin arrows and the shaft diameter is 7mm with an inner diameter of 5mm so the 4mm nylon brake line slides through without binding. It was stuck on the back with epidermix. I was a bit worried if the heat of the epoxy coating oven would ruin the epidermix but the glue held and was not really affected. Luckily it is not a load bearing joint and the end result is functional and pleasing to the eye. On the new gear all bends were done with a greater radius which should be better against fatigue fractures. This was just some more little detail I see that the visits have now exceeded 65000.


Cheers Oupa-G

[Mogas]

That gear looks nice Oupa-G.

[ben]

Oupa-G. Keep this site going. You are doing this with absolute professionalism. I have been following this site for a long time, almost from the beginning. Just a question or two: do they ever use spats on the BB? Will it look good or does it not suit a BB? When will be ready with some specs? I am/we are very curious.

As my skippie vasmeer gaan ek jou baie pla met baie vrae.

Ben

ZU-AJN

[Oupa-G]

Dear Ben

I have holes in the leaf spring to attach wheel spats but I have designed more for functionality then beauty. Maybe I will put spats on around the patch but if I go on a long trip with field of varying surfaces then I will leave the spats at home . This is not e Reno Racer but a Bosvarkie.


Cheers Oupa-G

[Morph]

Just a question or two: do they ever use spats on the BB? Will it look good or does it not suit a BB?

Here is a tailie with spats, in front of one without

[ben]

Thanks Morph. It really looks good but as Oupa-G says it might not survive funny runway surfaces, ja, and the BB is also not a racer. It still looks good though.

Ben
ZU-AJN

[Oupa-G]

You guys are persistent I'll ask Boet to make me a set . The other thing is when you are on a trip the wheel has another function and the one cheek must fit and you do not want unwanted stripes on the beautifully white painted spats.
But Boet can still make me a set and then on Saturdays when I do the Boland run I will put them on. When there is an urge then we will make another plan.


Cheers Oupa-G

[Ranger]

when you are on a trip the wheel has another function and the one cheek must fit

That's the main reason i took my trike spats off on my trip to the Okavango. Miles and miles of countryside with not a brick outhouse in sight. Oh! but the view.

[Boet]

Ok, so I will make you a Spat with a pop-up seat on it.......so both "cheeks" can rest.......

[Low Level]

................and register a patent - calling it a..........splat.

[Oupa-G]

On the topic of spats or splats, my friend Charl flew this weekend and a graspol hit the wheel on the co-pilots side and the spat/splat came half of and then rotated underneath the wheel and his comment was "dis sommer 'n dubbel K middel A ding. Dit lyk net mooi. That is just a practical view talking with experience.

Cheers Oupa-G