Short story. My Skybolt had belly flopped into a field. Repairs had been done. Then I bought it.
I have decided to assemble most of the airframe to check things and figure out what repairs are necessary, and parts needed. When I assembled the elevator circuit, I found I could only get 20 deg nose up, and with the sticks vertical it was full nose down elevator as seen in the photo!
I also noted the aileron control rods are going to have an approx 10 deg angle when viewed from above. I will mount the lower wing to confirm, but I think I am going to have interference issues, not to mention the circuit is not designed for a side load. The torque tube is Jeckyl and Hyde welding. The unit is beautifully done, but welded to the frame like a Sherman tank done by the apprenctice. Strong, but ugly, and near impossible to remove.
The torque tube is too far back. Wether through carelessness, or they thought they could move the sticks back without affecting the geometry, I will never know. If I try move the collars, I will likely wreck the tube. If I try to remove the torque tube mounts, I will damage the frame.
None of the circuit matches the plans as well, having been modified to accommodate bearings. I think it worked fine on it's original build, but was miss-located on the rebuild. Many hours of fun to follow.
I have decided to assemble most of the airframe to check things and figure out what repairs are necessary, and parts needed. When I assembled the elevator circuit, I found I could only get 20 deg nose up, and with the sticks vertical it was full nose down elevator as seen in the photo!
I also noted the aileron control rods are going to have an approx 10 deg angle when viewed from above. I will mount the lower wing to confirm, but I think I am going to have interference issues, not to mention the circuit is not designed for a side load. The torque tube is Jeckyl and Hyde welding. The unit is beautifully done, but welded to the frame like a Sherman tank done by the apprenctice. Strong, but ugly, and near impossible to remove.
The torque tube is too far back. Wether through carelessness, or they thought they could move the sticks back without affecting the geometry, I will never know. If I try move the collars, I will likely wreck the tube. If I try to remove the torque tube mounts, I will damage the frame.
None of the circuit matches the plans as well, having been modified to accommodate bearings. I think it worked fine on it's original build, but was miss-located on the rebuild. Many hours of fun to follow.
