Milestone...

[Av8r3400]

The Mangy Fox finally stands on her own legs...

[68niou1]

Nice work!!!! Congrats!!!

[Norm]

Congrats. The paint looks good. It is similar to a scheme I have planned for mine. I plan a yellow top with black lower and a similar tail treatment.
Looks good. Keep posting the motivational photos
Norm

[Av8r3400]

Her sad "before" picture...

http://www.teamkitfox.com/Forums/album.php?albumid=116&pictureid=1475

[Kahle76]

Looks great! Keep the photos coming to help some of us following in your footsteps.

[Paul Z]

Looking good. I would imagine that gives you a lot of motivation, are the wings complete? What engine are you planning on using?

[Av8r3400]

We just moved the second wing into the shop to start rebuilding, today.

The plane has a 912UL for power. I'm planning a 105 hp zipper kit in it. My 78" Prince prop should be arriving any day...

[Paul Z]

Ooh 105 zipper, looks like you want to get off the ground quick.

Have you looked or thought about the possibility of a Rotax Turbo from the Canada Rotax? They have a really good price on the rebuilt Preditor Drone engines. I wonder how bad the Canadian Sales Taxes would be, along with import taxes. It may not be worth it, once you attach Uncle Sam & Canadian Government cost to the engine cost.

[Av8r3400]

I already have the 80. Making it into a 105 will cost me a fraction of what the heavier and far more complex turbo engine would be. Not to mention the hassle you touched on getting an engine imported.

Besides I rarely get into the altitudes that the turbo would benefit from.

[av8rps]

Hey Larry, your old and sad looking Mangy Fox is looking GREAT!

(I saw it before Larry started taking it apart - most would have passed on it, but Larry saw its potential).

That is going to be one sweet machine. I especially like the taller gear, something I've always felt our Kitfoxes need. Your paint scheme looks cool too.

Tell us more about what mods you are doing to it.

[War Eagle]

Ooh 105 zipper, looks like you want to get off the ground quick.

Have you looked or thought about the possibility of a Rotax Turbo from the Canada Rotax? They have a really good price on the rebuilt Preditor Drone engines. I wonder how bad the Canadian Sales Taxes would be, along with import taxes. It may not be worth it, once you attach Uncle Sam & Canadian Government cost to the engine cost.

Air plane parts are a free trade item so you won't pay any Canadian taxes and if you were to pick up the engine yourself there would be no import duties either.

If you have it shipped there would be broker fees associated with the purchase.

At least that was how it worked when I got my engine from Canada. http://www.teamkitfox.com/Forums/images/icons/icon7.gif

[Paul Z]

War Eagle that is good info for the entire group. Hell with not taxes, the Taxes could help pay for a nice vacation to Canada. Thanks for the feedback.

[Av8r3400]

A little teaser update bump on the Mangy Fox project...

[jrevens]

Man, that thing looks serious, Larry! Beautiful!

[HighWing]

Larry,
I really like the color scheme and the design. I like the contrasting colors as it will make your Kitfox more visible in the air. I mention this because one of the guys we routinely flew with in our flights of six had a silver airplane with a blue sunburst design. It was almost impossible to see in the loose formation we flew in. We would routinely hear someone on the radio saying, "Rich, turn on your blinkers."

10165

Lots of interesting stories could be told about this stealthy airplane, but another day.

[jrthomas]

I'll bet he gets good traction with those tires! Maybe keeps him from getting stuck on those soft fields. :D James Thomas

[Jono]

I'll bet he gets good traction with those tires! Yeah! I don't think I'd like to land those tires on grass unless I was 100% straight down the runway!...hahahaha

[HighWing]

The story about the tires - Back in the day the factory tires with the ground off tread were for a time unavailable. This was one solution. He selected a tire that had wide spacing between tread segments to help minimize stone throwing. I spend a day grinding off the tread of a set for my own use, but never again. We are living in luxury today with all the tire options available. Remember to give thanks to the pioneers.

A sneak Peek at the resultant tread.

[Dave S]

Larry,

With all that ground clearance....looks like a pretty good off-road vehicle to me!:cool:

Curious.......it looks like you have the squared off rudder like the newer Kitfoxes......did you weld that up?

Dave S
KD7 Trigear
912ULS Warp drive

St Paul, MN

[Av8r3400]

Yes, the rudder and elevator (not shown) are extensively modified. I'll do a more in depth write up on the whole plane when it's finished.

…stay tuned. :p

[av8rps]

Larry,

That old Fox is looking mighty sweet these days. I really like the paint scheme the more I see of it. You're going to have one cool airplane when you're done with it.

And 105 hp with a big prop? You'd better be ready to hang on as it's gonna be kickass...

Are those the new Desser tires, or is it that your tall gear just makes it look incredibly tall? You're gonna need a ladder to get in it. Hey, maybe have a rope ladder you can let down from inside the cabin you can use to get in and out. :D

[Av8r3400]

Okay. Here's some stats as of today:

105 hp Zipper 912.
78 x 48 Prince Prop
Custom Grove Spring (3" taller & 2" wider)
Matco 8" pneumatic tailwheel
21x800-6 Desser tires
Modified tail surfaces with elevator trim tab
Large baggage area behind the seat to the elevator bearing
Panel - Dynon D180, Icom A210, Garmin GTX327, Garmin Aera 500

[DesertFox4]

Looking good Larry. Going after those Just Super Stols with that zipper kit, large prop and tall gear but without the 25 mph + cruise loss;):cool:

[HighWing]

Okay. Here's some stats as of today:

105 hp Zipper 912.
78 x 48 Prince Prop
Custom Grove Spring (3" taller & 2" wider)
Matco 8" pneumatic tailwheel
21x800-6 Desser tires
Modified tail surfaces with elevator trim tab
Large baggage area behind the seat to the elevator bearing
Panel - Dynon D180, Icom A210, Garmin GTX327, Garmin Aera 500

Now Larry, I would think you now need to start thinking of a new name for the project. I have seem a lot of "Mangy" Kitfoxes in my day, but this doesn't fit, that is unless you are planning on going stealthy and trying to hide what it is really becoming.

[Av8r3400]

Thanks, Lowell, but she will always be the Mangy Fox. Here's a "before" photo...

[Av8r3400]

A little more eye candy…

Hoping to hang wings this week.

[Dorsal]

Wow, love the colors.

[SkySteve]

What an awesome flying machine!

[Av8r3400]

What an awesome flying machine!

I hope so... [fingers crossed]

[Kurt.A]

Wa ho!!!!!!!! Looking awesome Larry! Should be a very capable bird.

[GWright6970]

Sweet!!! Can't wait to see the wings on her!!

[Av8r3400]

Okay… It happened today.

[DesertFox4]

That looks like fun and then some. Congrats on one great lookin Kitfox.
Nice work.:)

[rv9ralph]

Lookin good.. Question.. What's that odd white rectangle on the rear fuselage?

Ralph

[Av8r3400]

Raging paranoia combined with bad photo editing… :o

[rv9ralph]

Just as I figured! But you are in Wisconsin.
I am in the land of paranoia, California.

Ralph

[Kahle76]

Congratulations!

[Paul Z]

Larry,

Looking good!

I guess you are going after those Rocks & Props guys, with the large tires, long 78” Prince prop and the 105 hp zipper kit.

She’s going to climb like a rocket.

10248

[Av8r_Sed]

Wow, looks awesome. When are you going to fire up the zipper?

[Av8r3400]

I'm still clinging to the goal of flying it yet this year… :)

[av8rps]

Awesome job Larry! I can hardly wait to hear how it flies. If it flies half as good as it looks, it will be incredible...:cool:

[Av8r3400]

The next actual milestone is this Saturday. The Mangy Fox is moving to the airport.

[JimS]

I'm still clinging to the goal of flying it yet this year… :)

Ain't gonna happen....nudge..nudge!

JimS

[Av8r3400]

Careful, Jim. I'm really, really close now...

At the very least it will be in the hangar for the Chapter Christmas Party.


(Happy third shift, by the way. :D)

[wannafly]

sorry but what is a zipper Kit?

[Paul Z]

Big Bore Juggs and Pistons.

[JimS]

check you PM Larry.

[Av8r3400]

sorry but what is a zipper Kit?



http://zipperbigbore.com

[TY2068]

Oh man that carbon P-tip is beautiful. I've got 600hrs behind P-tips (smaller wood ones on my ultralight) with no complaints or problems. Provided that your P-tip will hit your targeted peak-max RPM I'm thinking you will be very happy. Better hold on tight when you hammer it.

[Av8r3400]

Made the trip today…

[PapuaPilot]

Congrats on getting it there. Your plane looks very nice.

If you changed the red color to green you could put a Packers emblem on it. I still can't believe the Packers beat Detroit the other night on the last play. I'm a Michigander and was cheering for Detroit.

[Av8r3400]

(I'm a Packer's season ticket holder… I can't believe their entire season! :rolleyes: )


I'm still clinging to the idea of flying it before the end of the year. :o

[Av8r_Sed]

Nice pics! It's December though, where's the white stuff? Glad you had good weather for the move though.

Also, all due respect to Dave, but why isn't your mug in some of the shots? Pretty soon he's going to be taking all the credit for the project.

[Av8r3400]

Nice pics! It's December though, where's the white stuff? Glad you had good weather for the move though.

Also, all due respect to Dave, but why isn't your mug in some of the shots? Pretty soon he's going to be taking all the credit for the project.

Yeah, beautiful here today.

Dave does deserve a lot of the credit. He's been very helpful throughout this project! Besides, I don't want to scare people off with photos of me... :eek:

[WISDAN]

Very nice looking kitfox. I know you put a lot of skill and effort into this project and it shows. Congrats!

[jrevens]

I see a "Kitfox of the month" for sure... really nice looking bird, Larry! And it sounds like it's gonna' be a real performer too. Speaking of "Kitfox of the month" I wish guys would stop being so humble & submit some of these beautiful airplanes for this honor. I'd love to see pictures and a write up on the builder and the features of his Kitfox. I've sure seen a lot of beautiful Kitfoxes in the short time that I've been a builder of one. This is a special one, Larry!

[Esser]

Looks amazing! She looks like she's longing for some air under her wheels.

Packers fan here too....

[rosslr]

Yes! Great pics and how exciting to get it to the airport! The weather looks fantastic for a first flight too....

What size prop is that? it looks big.

all the best for flying her.

cheers

ross

[av8rps]

Yesterday I saw Larry's new (rebuilt) Kitfox. Seeing it in person, I can tell you the pictures we've all seen don't do it any justice. It looks even better up close! And I absolutely love the mods he did, and really hope he will take the time to explain in detail all of that for a Kitfox of the month writeup.

But I'm sure that his priority is getting it in the air. I can hardly wait to hear how it performs with that Zipper kit and that monstrous prop. I'll be surprised if it is anything less than awesome. I think he is going to have the best combination between mega STOL and an airplane you can still go places with. His strip at his house is pretty tight, but I think his new Fox is optimized for places like that.

Congrats Larry on a beautiful job, and on that runway you always talked about having at your house. You've hit most aviators dream... :D (that's a picture of a bunch of us, green with envy...)

[Av8r3400]

My plane's a tv star already and it hasn't even flown, yet!!

News 12 (http://www.wjfw.com/storydetails/20160126162321)

[SkySteve]

5 times in 1:14? That's a star for sure!!!

[Av8r3400]

Well, maybe a few years ago I could have done 5 times in 1:14...

Oh, wait you meant the video! :eek:

[Kahle76]

My plane's a tv star already and it hasn't even flown, yet!!

News 12 (http://www.wjfw.com/storydetails/20160126162321)

Nice looking plane, but it looks cold up there.

[WISDAN]

Very nice airplane! Hope to see it in person this summer.

[Av8r3400]

First engine start as of today. Not flying weather today, but we did get the engine past the first run.

Hope to have the exciting video published soon… :rolleyes:

[rosslr]

Excellent news Larry. Looking forward to the video!

cheers

r

[Norm]

Looking forward to hearing that Zipper engine.

[Av8r3400]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKJ8jqGrQnw

[DesertFox4]

Like that quick start up. That big prop should really pull. Good looking bird Larry.
Congrats. :)

[Norm]

Nice Congrats

[SkySteve]

Larry,
That was very nice! Good job.

[Paul Z]

I wish mine would start that fast. Tested mine today, something definitely wrong with the Starter or Spag Clutch. Well now it is time to pull the engine.

[HighWing]

I wish mine would start that fast. Tested mine today, something definitely wrong with the Starter or Spag Clutch. Well now it is time to pull the engine.

Probably not necessarily related to your engine issues, Paul, but Clint, a friend and neighbor , installed his 912S long before Slipper Clutches and Soft Start Modules. He has about 1900 hours on it as I write this.

He developed a starting technique that pretty much eliminated all problems with starting. I use it on my 80 hp 912 and the engine will start almost on the first turn and to smooth running. This is what he does. Crank with throttle full back, choke pulled and ignition off for about 10 or 15 seconds - also pressurizes the oil system. Then rotate (push) throttle in to approximate idle position, ignition on, choke on and crank - presto instant start and smooth running from the get go.

[jiott]

I'm not doubting this technique works well, but Wow 10-15 sec of cranking seems like an an awful lot of wear and tear on the starter for each start. I probably average less than 3 sec per start year around (Portland, OR).

[DesertFox4]

I've used Clint's start method for years with my 912ULS. Usually 5 seconds on choke does it. Then wait 5 or 10 seconds and then start.
The difference Jim may be that we have older 912uls engines without soft start and the older less powerful starters. When I fly Papa's 7SS it starts quickly within a few seconds with the high torque starter. No special starting method needed. Clint has one of the first 912 ULS equipped Kitfox in the US. His starting method works great on our older engines. I also use his shut down method to avoid the hard compression engine stops.

[kmach]

I agree the latest engines , with all their improvements , start very well , almost instantaneously . Using the engine owners manuals method.

[Norm]

I also use his shut down method to avoid the hard compression engine stops.
What is the shutdown method, Please.

[DesertFox4]

2,500 rpms, as you shut off both ignition switches simultaneously pull the throttle to full idol. If you time it correctly your prop will come to a smoother stop instead of a sudden more violent compression stop. Takes practice and I still mess it up at times.:rolleyes:

[Av8r3400]

It flies. After the first run last weekend I had a leak to repair in the home made spider tank which required parts. Did that this week.

Another successful test run and some taxi testing with brake pad burn in and she was ready to go.

Even though I didn't get the rpm I wanted, she pulled like a freight train at full throttle and climbed way faster than I wanted to. More testing an calibrating to do hopefull today (if the weather holds) and we'll be on our way.

My buddy did get some bad cell phone video, so I'll try and get that edited and up soon.

[jrevens]

Oh, that's good news Larry! Way to go, and congratulations!

[Norm]

Congratulations That is fantastic. Look forward to the videos.

[HighWing]

Exciting times. Congratulations.

[Paul Z]

I keep looking for a Mangy looking aircraft. Where is it?

Congrats again.

[DesertFox4]

Congrats Larry.:)

[Av8r_Sed]

That's great news, Larry! I hope she pays back in spades all the work you've put into her. Can't wait to hear the results as you explore her envelope.

[airlina]

Way to go Larry, keep us posted on some performance stuff once you get into your flight testing. Be safe and keep the shiney side up! Bruce N199CL

[Av8r3400]

First Flight Video...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmo4y-8EXzM

[Norm]

SMOOTH Larry Real Smooth. Thanks for showing us. I love the sound of the Zipper as you taxi in.

[Av8r3400]

Lots of people to thank, especially the membership here on TeamKitfox, with all of your free sharing of valuable information and experience!

What a great community! Thank you all!

[DesertFox4]

Congrats!!! Great first flight. Looks like it flat repells the Earth on takeoff.
Should make your home strip feel like it's 3,000' long.
Enjoy every flight.

[avidflyer]

Way to go! Looking good. Will be interesting to see how it performs with that engine and prop. Congrats! Jim Chuk

[WWhunter]

Wooo Hooo!!

Patiently awaiting the performance specs with the Zipper and the Prop combination. ;)

[KFfan]

Very Nice Work!

[HighWing]

Congratulate the videographer. Good stable camera.

[Av8r3400]

Congratulate the videographer. Good stable camera.

Taken on a fairly cold day with my iPhone, lent to my friend Steve.

[PapuaPilot]

Congrats, that's a great looking plane.

[jrevens]

She's a beauty, Larry! I hope to see it at Oshkosh!

[cubtractor]

It looks great!

[av8rps]

Congrats Larry!

It's hard to believe that is the same Kitfox that follwed you home years ago. From what I can tell it looks like it really performs with the big prop and that Zipper kit.

I'll bet your lovely bride will be happy to have you back :)

[Av8r3400]

Wow. This thread kind of took off. 10 pages? :o


Anyway, The Mangy Fox now wears her name proudly…

[Rodney]

Now you need to bring it to southeast Oklahoma and play on all the sandbars on the Red River. :D:D

Rodney

[TY2068]

Hi Larry, your plane sure looks great ! If you don't mind me asking where did you get the Skullcap spinner for the P-tip. Would that Skullcap by some chance be the #05-06844 from Spruce ?

[Av8r3400]

The spinner is from Spruce. It is this model (http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/hegarspinners.php?clickkey=7168) in 5".

[TY2068]

Thanks for the pic Larry. Looks like the Hegar fits your P-tip crush plate perfectly. Will not work for my IVO GA Med but now I know what works on a P-tip ;) !

[av8rps]

Hey Larry,

Any performance stats to report back yet? I'm really curious how that prop and Zipper kit worked out.

Paul

[Av8r3400]

I'm chasing a bit of a nagging ignition glitch right now. So until that's nailed down I'm not flying.

Preliminary data is showing 110 + mph cruse will not be a problem. 1000 + fpm sustained climb will also not be a problem. Without trying takeoff distance is in the 300' range. Short landings have not been attempted yet.

At this point all is still looking very promising.

[av8rps]

That's cool. Glad to hear your cruise and climb is where you hoped it would be. Sounds like you resurrected one cool, scream'in old Fox Larry.

Hopefully you will get through those ignition issues and start enjoying your new toy as our weather warms up.

[DesertFox4]

Congratulations on the culmination of your Mangy Fox restoration and successful transition to memorable flights phase. Great video. It climbs great and sounds very nice. You're a talented man Larry. I look forward to seeing you again and meeting Mangy Fox in person. Thanks for posting the journey here with us.
Enjoy in good health the fruits of your endeavor. Nice job.

[Av8r3400]

The final milestone…

[DesertFox4]

Looks great Larry. Glad to see you back in the air. Enjoy.

[jmodguy]

Two thumbs up!!

[cubtractor]

Looks great! How's it handle with the counterbalanced rudder and elevator?

[Av8r3400]

So far with the limited time, ~10 hours or so, I'm very pleased with that modification. The low speed handling is much improved and the flair authority with flaps down is greatly improved.

I was concerned that it would negatively impact the stall characteristics, more tail authority makes a larger aoa, which would give a sharper break, but the stall is still fairly benign. I will explore this part of the envelope, and report on it, in more detail when the prop comes back.




Also at this point I'd like to thank everyone here on TeamKitfox for your support and assistance through the build. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

:D:D:D:D