Tiger Cub Rebuild

Aircraft Projects Underway or Completed

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Petrodactyl
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Tiger Cub Rebuild

Postby Petrodactyl » Wed Oct 22, 2008 11:45 am

Hi All

A bunch of us from Grahamstown - Larry McG being the main instigator - have purchased the pile of bits that was cluttering up Manfreds spray booth, and plan to get her flying again. This is now practically a vintage microlight, having been introduced at the start of Microlighting in the UK by a guy called Russ Light. Originally it had a 40 hp Robin EC-44-PM engine.

Russ Light went on to develope the Sherwood Ranger - a much prettier and more practical 2 seat biplane.

http://www.rapidagent.co.uk/PlaneNoisy/Sherwood.html

If anyone is interested, the current owners of the company that makes the kits for the Ranger is looking for a South African Agent.

Construction otf the TIger Cub is like for model aircraft - the wings and empennage are foam cores covered in fabric. Being so short, it is reputedly extremely twitchy in pitch and yaw, and with only lower wing ailerons, sluggish in the roll. There is a modification for upper wing ailerons to be added, which is probably what we will do.

I am already in contact with a UK rebuilder. This is his rebuild story:

http://www.bumble-bee.demon.co.uk/Proje ... 0Story.htm

Here are some pics of some
Deutch.jpg
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Deutch.jpg
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Folded.jpg
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Christian Carver

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Petrodactyl
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Re: Tiger Cub Rebuild

Postby Petrodactyl » Wed Oct 22, 2008 12:13 pm

Oops! - sorry about the repeat - wheres my sign?

Heres what ours looks like:
Attachments
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Reg is ZS-VDW
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The blue foam under the fabric
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Cockpit area looks fine despite the Undercart being flattened in a undignified 'arrival'
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Christian Carver

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grostek
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Re: Tiger Cub Rebuild

Postby grostek » Wed Oct 22, 2008 6:06 pm

That is a Blast from the Past vhpy vhpy

All the bits are there except engine, which one are you intending using?

Please keep us posted with updates as the rebuild/overhaul progresses.

Kind regards,

Guner Rostek
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Re: Tiger Cub Rebuild

Postby swiftprop » Wed Oct 22, 2008 10:58 pm

Looks like an interesting project. Good luck with it!
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Re: Tiger Cub Rebuild

Postby Petrodactyl » Thu Oct 23, 2008 8:38 am

I think that this one had a 503 fitted, but speaking to the guys in the UK, they say that this is far too much power! Apparently you have to keep the tail on the ground anyway until flying speed is reached before the rudder bites. We need something light with around 40hp - maybe a Briggs and Stratton :wink: Anybody know anybody with a Robin engine - might be fun to try to keep it original.
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Re: Tiger Cub Rebuild

Postby Tailspin » Thu Oct 23, 2008 8:41 am

Good Luck Guys

Looks like a ## fun Build / Restore. ##

Enjoy.
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Re: Tiger Cub Rebuild

Postby Karamba » Mon Oct 27, 2008 8:41 pm

Ek was nie op universiteit nie maar ken die verskil tussen koek en k@k.
Hierdie is definitief nie koek nie!
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Re: Tiger Cub Rebuild

Postby KFA » Mon Oct 27, 2008 9:08 pm

Good luck with your project, it looks like it is going to be lots of fun. Remember we have a locally produced and time tested covering system at www.saplanes.co.za. a lot cheaper than the imported stuff (^^)
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Petrodactyl
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Re: Tiger Cub Rebuild

Postby Petrodactyl » Thu Nov 06, 2008 8:06 am

Thanks KFA. We will have to run some tests as I have no idea how the covering of Blue Foam works, and whether you can bring solvents close to them. I will definitely contact you when we have got a bit further.
Christian Carver

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Smiley
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Re: Tiger Cub Rebuild

Postby Smiley » Tue Nov 18, 2008 10:44 am

Hello guys

If I may ask, what did you pay for her?

Thanks.
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Re: Tiger Cub Rebuild

Postby T. van Vuuren » Tue Nov 18, 2008 9:45 pm

Hi Christian, what a cool little aerie. "looks" was probarbly not the no 1 on the designer's list, but I think FUN was! vhpy

I have used another local fabric covering system that uses a water based PVA sealer to seal the weave of the fabric.Then you can paint with cheap 2-k and flex agent.

The only "solvent" is the glue, but carefull aplication can solve that.

The price is also quite fair I think.I have just completed a PA-20 with this stuff and um almost done with a PA-22 now, also the same stuff.

Good luck with your project, wish I had one :(

Theuns
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Re: Tiger Cub Rebuild

Postby CalvW » Tue Dec 09, 2008 10:29 pm

I had a good look at it the other day Chris - I thought it would such a fun project. When are you guys planning on getting started on the body work?
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RV4ker (RIP)
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Re: Tiger Cub Rebuild

Postby RV4ker (RIP) » Wed Dec 10, 2008 12:02 am

Looks awesome. looking forward to the build thread...
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Re: Tiger Cub Rebuild

Postby LarryMcG » Wed Dec 10, 2008 4:24 pm

Time has been tight!

Been rebilding an Aquilla as a second training trike, so the cub project will continue during the holiday, or next year.

Smiley - Price paid R4500. :oops:

Will keepposted on any progress!

Lm
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Smiley
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Re: Tiger Cub Rebuild

Postby Smiley » Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:19 am

LarryMcG wrote:Time has been tight!

Been rebilding an Aquilla as a second training trike, so the cub project will continue during the holiday, or next year.

Smiley - Price paid R4500. :oops:

Will keepposted on any progress!

Lm
:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :wink:
Flying tha beast named "Wollie"
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