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Thread: Kitfox "Royale" Rotec

  1. #1

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    paul
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    Default Kitfox "Royale" Rotec

    Hi Guys,

    It's a MkIII that I’ve hopped a bit! The kit came to me in very basic form, welded fuselage and wing kit, that’s about it. The rest I have had to make myself including all the moulds for the fairings and cowls which I flopped off a friends Kitfox II parts. The windscreen is slanted at a shallower angle which I think looks good and my mate reckons he picked up 5 knots (we'll see). All the panels doors turtle decks etc are all fiber glass skins, there are no metal skins/panels at all except for the floor panels.

    Some extra stuff I did:
    · Aluminum clad each side of wooden Aileron hanger ribs
    · All fiber glass panels, skins, and cockpit, instrument panel
    · My own molded fiber glass wing tips (didn’t like the droopy type.)
    · Galvanized tin fire wall, my own.
    · Rotec R2800 installation
    · 13 gallon wing tanks x 2, again my own glass work.
    · Two piece fiber glass wheel pants
    · Static port wing mounted with Pitot tube
    Stuff intend to do:
    · Round off vertical and horizontal stab and elevator to more 1930'-40's look
    · Lengthen undercarriage to clear 76" prop. (Stinson look)
    · Fair undercarriage with fat airfoils (Fiber glass)
    · Bull nose spinner (Radial Cessna 190 shape)
    · Oval shaped Sky Lights
    · Fair main wing struts with fiber glass airfoils
    · Side and top grills / vents in boot cowl.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #2
    84KF
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    Default Re: Kitfox "Royale" Rotec

    If I had that engine I would mount it on my living room wall and just stare at it for hours... and hours...and hours. It's just so beautiful.

  3. #3
    Administrator DesertFox4's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kitfox "Royale" Rotec

    paulc
    Wow!!
    That engine would make any aircraft look beautiful but it is especially at home on a Kitfox . No wonder Dan Denney wanted radials on the first Kitfoxs.
    Nice project Paul. Also what part of the world are you in? MkIII's are not generally found in the US of A.


    DesertFox4
    Admin.
    7 Super Sport
    912 ULS Tri-gear


  4. #4

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    paul
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    Default Re: Kitfox "Royale" Rotec

    The Plane is at our shop, located in Melbourne Australia. I bought the raw kit of a local guy who visited me to buy an engine I reversed the deal and bought his plane instead!

    The kit was of course shipped in from the states. Here in Australia the Kitfox was later copied and was sold as a "Skyfox" CA 21 then CA 22 then finally a trike version called a "Gazelle". The were essentially all MkIII copies, but were never sold as kits and only factory built. The story goes that they were to be built under license in Oz but our authorities CASA back then would not allow this, so the mark three, they (Skyfox) had was copied and re engineered here as an Australian design. It was a little heavier in construction the Flaps were deleted via a solid mixer bar and the flap lever became a spring pulled trim for the elevator pushrod. The rudder was taller and no ribs were ever used in the tail. The airfoil was a mark three wing except the spars were extruded with the I beam integral with no riveted insert. Struts were heavier too and always air foiled.

    The Ailerons were segmented at each hinge point (gave trouble) and were internally balance at the leading edge the air foil was flat bottomed like the Mk3.

    Word had it that when finished copying the Mk3 "SkyFox" had the cheek to send back the Kitfox III and never even paid for it!!!!

  5. #5
    Joe Meyeres's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kitfox "Royale" Rotec

    Hey Paul,

    I have heard you talk of your Kitfox before, but never saw any photo's. Very nice build! Can't wait to see it when it is done!

    Joe Meyeres

  6. #6

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    paul
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    Default Re: Kitfox "Royale" Rotec

    Thanks Joe, but I'll be working to get it even close to your bird, you've set the bar pretty high bud!

    You should do that write up. I'm sure others will get a lot out of it.

  7. #7
    Super Moderator Av8r3400's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kitfox "Royale" Rotec

    What are you fine craftsmen doing for a Rotec engine mount?

  8. #8

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    paul
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    Default Re: Kitfox "Royale" Rotec

    My engine mount was made by Rotec and supplied with the engine. They do engine mounts for all the Kitfox types. They can also supply you the drawings should you wish to make the mount yourself. In the case of the Model 3 and 4 there were no mods required to the cowls or airframe.

  9. #9
    Senior Member Slyfox's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kitfox "Royale" Rotec

    I would like to know how much the engine weighs?
    steve
    slyfox
    model IV 1200-flying
    912uls
    IVO medium in-flight
    RV7A-flying
    IO-360
    constant speed prop

  10. #10
    Joe Meyeres's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kitfox "Royale" Rotec

    As I recall the engine weighs 232 lbs with all accessories installed. This includes a starter, alternator, engine driven fuel pump, carb, one mag and one electronic ignition system. You can go on to the Rotec Website at www.rotecradialengines.com to verify that and look at all the specifications. They are very helpful in providing data for the do it yourselfers or if you like, they can also provide numerous other accessories including prop's, engine instruments, engine mounts etc...
    My experience in dealing with this company is that they are a top notch organization. Very helpful, very friendly and they build a dynamite product.

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