model 1 info

[lakertreetopflyer]

I have decided that the kit I found is a model 1.
I realize they are kind of small but is there anything really dangerous about them?Structural issues?etc..........


Brian

[akflyerbob]

Brian
I fly a mod 1 KF and its a little rocket.
I know of no dangerious things about the mod 1.
They are small as you say, but I don't take passingers.
Once your in there is more room than my buddies Avid.
I have the Avid wide landing gear on mine and don't land
on pavement which makes ground handling much easier.
Has the plane been built or still a kit?
Bob

[SkySteve]

Below is a link to my model 1. My flying buddy is 250 lbs. I am 210 lbs. We have flown together in my plane several times. I have bubble doors which add 6 inches to the cabin width. Best mod ever.

[lakertreetopflyer]

Bob,
This is kind of a barn find............atleast 22 year old barely started kit.Engine ,inst,etc.
Covering chemicals would prob haave to be replaced,but other wise all there.
Steve,i read about your bubble doors and sounds like a good plan.If I end up with this I will do some bubble doors.

Do either of you have any ideas of mods you would do when building that you didnt think of till the planes were done??

Brian

[akflyerbob]

Brian
I found mine stripped for rebuild.
There are a couple things I would modify.
If you weld, I would change the doors to the mod 111 and add
the Murle Williams wide body type kit. These are simple to do
and can be made your self. I herd of these after I covered.
The kit will probably have mechanical brakes, change to hydralic, Matco.
If it has a 582, put a battery box in the tail.
I added the Avid wide landing gear, wider, taller. Only addes@ 5 lbs.
I also added the plastic leading edge from Kitfox. looks better, adds
a little speed.
Bob

Steve..Do you know where the bubble doors came from?

[lakertreetopflyer]

I do weld.........What is this wide body kit?

Brian

[Av8r3400]

Bubble doors & molded windshields are from LP Aeroplastics (http://www.lpaero.com/).

Wide body Kits come from Murle Williams Aviation (http://www.sonoragraphics.com/williamsaviation/widebody.html).

[DesertFox4]

The wide body kit was invented by Phil Laker first in fiberglass back in the late 90's. Murle then developed it in chromoly steel. I have one (first one I think) on my model 4 Classic. It makes the fuselage wider at the shoulders by quite a bit. Actually 5/8" wider than the model 5-7's when the 5-7's use stock doors. Makes flying with two people much more comfortable. The door angle parts must be welded to the door frames before any covering is done on the fuselage.

You also have to do some tweaking of the door frames to make them fit properly but it's a very nice mod. for the model 4's.
A side benefit is it makes for one slick fabric job on the sides of the fuselage. Less tapes showing.

[lakertreetopflyer]

What a great place for info this is!!!!!!!!!!! I Called Murle and he said he would make the set for the 1 if I provided measurements.Having that makes me want this 1 even more.
Now ..............what does it take to up the gross weight ,go faster ,and install a kitchen sink!!

Thanks so much for the info guys,if I make the deal on this model 1 I will definatly order this wide body kit.

brian

[Newkid]

One area where the model 1 does lack is in the verticle tail. Ours would sometimes run out of rudder on landing. Flying with the small tail is fine though. If you can make the verticle/rudder taller I would suggest doing that. Otherwise they are an extremely fun little airplane. Does it have the 503 or 532?

[lakertreetopflyer]

It has a 532.