Harvard rebirth

[Sempai-mj]

Cowl work, it's the hardest part!:eek:

[Kevin Rochon]

Cowl work, it's the hardest part!:eek:


Not only that but it is hart breaking to cut holes in it.

[Sempai-mj]

Two steady hands with the dremel.:eek:

[Kevin Rochon]

After making a template then cutting checking removing grinding many times it's ok. I cleaned and emptied (in my car) my gas container I will have to install my new gas hand crank pump.

There is a lot of little things left to do, hopefully it will be ready for this W-E?

[Fasteddy]

Looks good so far.

Nice job Kevin.

[Kevin Rochon]

Thanks Ed, had to put aside the Uke a bit.

Today not much done did some shopping, groceries etc. Had to go back to Canadian Tire forgot the fuel filter for my gas canister. Also I had bought a hard disk at Wall-mart which seemed a good deal a Seagate 3TB for 150$ plus compatible with Mac & PC without having to reformat and since I use both on my Mac(I have a PC partition to use the flight SIM and the other programs like Castle C. ESC soft.) But in the end had to go back it wasn't working either with Mac or PC. Later I read on Apple's Web site reviews that it didn't work:rolleyes:

So tonight I installed the 2 batteries( I got some AA for the lights today, part of the shopping) they're installed in the front under the fuel tank. I also passed all the lines for the fuel.

Now I got to figure on fitting all those cables so they don't interfere with the retract valve.

[Kevin Rochon]

Lots of work done today. Cleaned-up the wires in the CTR wing section and the fuse. Installed the RX. But when I did a fit trial I tested the retracts and the left one wouldn't come down all the way, a very bad thing:eek:.

So I checked and I wasn't loosing any air in the system the RH one kept working. So I took out the LH one and it was very stiff. So I took it apart and found that the bottom pivot shaft was bent. I had replace the fork but didn't notice that, so I straighten it the best I could. There was some more work to get it to move smoothly but now it's ok, actually even better than the RH one;).

With about 70lb(that over 100 pumps on the hand pump:rolleyes:) I can get at least 3 up and downs.

[Kevin Rochon]

Worked on the retracts to adjust the toe in and the door clearance. That's a difficult balance to achieve. The doors don't close as well as I would like but the main thing is they're not interfering with the wheels and unless you have binoculars who's going to see it;).

So now she's on her feet/wheels:cool:

[Fasteddy]

Just when I was thinking of bringing my binoculars to the field. :D

I guess I will have to take pictures (from far). :p

Just kidding. I'm sure it will look very good just like all your other builds.

Cheers!!!

[Kevin Rochon]

So today I put on the wing to see the fit and mainly to test the lights and the flaps and ailerons.

Flaps (3 of them) weren't align properly. The lights on the RH wing was reversed I connected the green wing tip light to the switch of the landing light. Ailerons were reversed so that was the easy fix.

I had to cut and re-solder the lights properly. They're a bit dimmer then what I though it would be on the fresh new 6 x 1.5v AA. Unfortunately with a 3S Lipo at 12v it gets too hot.

Had to adjust the length of the push rod of one flap servo and change the servo arm to, now it almost perfect. No pictures because I had to take off the wings to do that.

[Kevin Rochon]

Looks like a Harvard day (winds SW20-40K).

Getting down to the end...pics later unless I'm dragged into my neighbors B-Day party for his daughter, he promised me a beer and all my chairs are there;)

[Sempai-mj]

Yep kinda of windy today.

[Kevin Rochon]

Well no pics and not because I went next door, I actually worked on the Harvard. I did put on the wings to test the lights, all ok now, the flaps aren't 100% even when deployed, he other wing panels goes a bit more down then the ctr one.

But when I install the prop I tried the spring starter and it came off that I heard. So I had to remove the engine, that means the ctr wing the gas tank etc... Finally a plastic ring that goes first before the spring I did put in the wrong direction:rolleyes:

So have to put it back together again. Actually the engine is back on and now I'm balancing the prop.

[Kevin Rochon]

Well while trying the spring starter I hit my finger with the prop, ouch:eek: but it's not so bad a bit blue that's all.

Today was too hot and muggy to fly so I worked on adjusting the flaps and reinstalling the batteries and gas tank, pool and basement best place to be today...ah yes and having a beer with my neighbor:cool:

So now the flaps are almost 100% even, took me a while, should of paid more attention in geometry class;)

[zorba]

You should be paying more attention on the prop:D

[beto9]

We all hope that is going to be finished before the new Champlain bridge....

[zorba]

:)27 pages and counting......

[Ricardo]

Bill, lets just hope it does not crash again...;)

[zorba]

He has to do what I do. Keep it in the closet;)

[Andrew Fernie]

First post was 22-November-2010. We could start a pool on it breaking the 5 year mark. From the recent pictures, however, it looks like it will be done before then. I am looking forward to seeing it.

Andrew

[pierre sarault]

Bravo Kevin,
it looks super!

As they say, should fly as good as it looks!
This post has been interesting to follow for all those years, and a lot to learn from it.

[Kevin Rochon]

Thanks guys for you encouragement, it will fly this summer I feel very confident about it.

Tonight I was trying to make the wheel doors close better so at one point I take off a set screw for the wheel and guess what it goes to the floor. Well after cleaning the whole floor moving about everything still can't find it and it's not a small one it's 10-32:rolleyes: Will figure out something tomorrow.

[Tarek Hassoune]

Kevin you know that duct tape flying technology exist right
So don't worry duct tape it and let us see it flying my friend

[David Janashvili]

Thanks guys for you encouragement, it will fly this summer I feel very confident about it.

Tonight I was trying to make the wheel doors close better so at one point I take off a set screw for the wheel and guess what it goes to the floor. Well after cleaning the whole floor moving about everything still can't find it and it's not a small one it's 10-32:rolleyes: Will figure out something tomorrow.

Kevin Open new thread 10-32 screw lost :):)

[Kevin Rochon]

Actually David, I couldn't go to sleep without looking again and guess what! I found it:)

P.S. Tarek come on duct tape, I don't think so;)

[David Janashvili]

:Dancing_furious:Actually David, I couldn't go to sleep without looking again and guess what! I found it:)

P.S. Tarek come on duct tape, I don't think so;)

[Kevin Rochon]

This week I repositioned the ball links that hold the gear doors. Before it was on the inside of the retract and now I moved it towards the back. I had to figure a way to attach the ball at 90° to the strut. It's working pretty good now. I adjusted the door closing as best as I could.

Today I prepared the holes for the screws that will hold the canopy also I painted the heads of the screws and the gas filler valve and the pilot is back on the saddle:cool:

[JimmyG]

[QUOTE= the pilot is back on the saddle: cool:[/QUOTE]

The pilot is probably to old and will need retraining. Let us know how you will re-certify the pilot.

[Kevin Rochon]

The pilot is probably to old and will need retraining. Let us know how you will re-certify the pilot.


You can see the fear and apprehension on his face hey:eek:

[Kevin Rochon]

Well after some pool, removing a lot of weeds, back in pool, did work on the bird. Installed the canopy and put back the center wing. Tested the retracts( with 90lbs I get about 10 up/down); I figured a way to use my booster, it has a pump, to fill the air about 15 sec is way better than 150 crank on the hand pump which get really hot.;)

Only thing left to do is check the balance. I put on the cowling just for show because I have to test and adjust the engine without it first.

[Kevin Rochon]

Ok I found some weight to put in the front at 1$ a pound it's the cheapest thing I could find. I got a 4lb dumbbell so it's going to become a muscle plane:D

I will make a cradle for the center part and put some velcro on the sides and strapping to hold it.

[Sempai-mj]

I can see the take off, V1! V2! V3! V4!, four more! :D

[zorba]

I guess this thread is gonna get bigger.
How many pages are we allowed for a thread?

[Kevin Rochon]

I guess this thread is gonna get bigger.
How many pages are we allowed for a thread?

Well try to beat me with your Stearman thread;)

[Kevin Rochon]

This could be the one before last post;)

Got the dumbbell installed. Used a piece of hardwood door threshold as a spacer and some strapping to hold it in place. It fits very nicely in the cowl. I will have to check the balance at the field as I tried in the shop but it's too difficult by myself.

[David Janashvili]

This could be the one before last post;)

Got the dumbbell installed. Used a piece of hardwood door threshold as a spacer and some strapping to hold it in place. It fits very nicely in the cowl. I will have to check the balance at the field as I tried in the shop but it's too difficult by myself.

It's not True:please:

[Kevin Rochon]

Sorry David, every good thing comes to an end......but there is the Bigfoot 2 to come;)

[Kevin Rochon]

Sorry this is not the last post.:o

Today with the help of Tino I finally got the engine started, from what we figured the plug cap wasn't on deep enough so no spark. I get a low idle of about 1900rpm and full speed of 6100rpm with the 22x10 prop.

With the good advise of David(Mr. Big plane;)) the 4lb weight was too much, it was way too much nose heavy. So on the way back I picked up a 2lb weight and gave it a "crash" diet.

[Kevin Rochon]

Put the plane together in the garage and used those orange cones to check the balance. With the 2 lb dumbbell it is still tail heavy when the cones are under the center part.

So will put back the 4 lb tomorrow just to see the difference but the 2 lb probably equal the set-up I had when I flew it, although the plane probably weighs more now; with my bathroom scale(not too accurate) the plane weighs 32 lb.

[Kevin Rochon]

Tonight I undid the plane to bring it in the shop to adjust the weight. While removing one of the screw that holds the ctr wing in place the glued in nut came off. It was not easy to reach in there to glue it back. Also found the gas tank had moved. Good to find out before flying.

[Kevin Rochon]

Yes today Saturday 22/08/15(just before the 5 years mark) she was finally maiden. The plane is heavy and feels heavy more so then when I flew her last. Although she seems nose heavy on the ground(I moved the 2lb weight forward) she flies tail heavy but once trimmed it was ok. I needed to trim a lot of left aileron so I will have to add a bit of weight to the right wing in the servo compartment.

I did several approaches, the first without the flaps but was whey to fast I finally tried with 1/2 flaps was a bit slower but still, so it bounce twice and when I went to check if I was on low idle I must of hit the retract switch right a top of it but I was in the right grass so I just broke the prop...that's it.

I though the retract collapse because it went a bit sideways but it was me in the end.

I did do a Victory roll during the flight:cool:

[Sempai-mj]

Was nice to see it fly, you did a nice roll. Will fly again.:)

[Dwight Macdonald]

Congratulations Kevin on a great build and restoration!

[beto9]

On Saturday 22 August 2015 a momentous occasion: The Harvard flew!!!
I have to express my admiration for Kevin for his phenomenal dedication to his favorite plane.
My joke about closing the thread was not true: we do not practice censorship.
I am posting some photos of the moments previous to the flight (I missed the take-off by this much...)
The Harvard took off as a pig and landed like an elephant. Thanks to the switch mistake -retracting gear when Kevin meant Idledown- the gear was saved. Kevin, is my hope your luck is coming back! No more repair threads for a long time!
The first picture is of another elephant: Abdul home designed and built plane.
Enjoy!

[drgilo1973]

kevin tres beau je voulais la voire voler

[flybyfaith]

I'm happy all went well and hope to see it flying at the funfly.

[Sempai-mj]

Hey Kevin you could post about the prop replacement which was the only damage that day. :)

[mitea_dan]

Félicitations. Je suis déçu que j'aie perdu ce spectacle. Un avion de rêve.

[Kevin Rochon]

Thanks guys for your support I really appreciate it.

Yes I will post the new props, according to Canada Post I should get it tomorrow. If weather permit I will be flying it on the W-E, as for the fun-fly we'll see. This time full flaps for landing the beast. Actually once trimmed out she flew quite nicely of course it flies like a heavy warbird.

BTW since my post is unofficially closed there is a resurgence of posts on the forum...where you guys too shy to post at the same time as me:D

[David Janashvili]

Thanks guys for your support I really appreciate it.

Yes I will post the new props, according to Canada Post I should get it tomorrow. If weather permit I will be flying it on the W-E, as for the fun-fly we'll see. This time full flaps for landing the beast. Actually once trimmed out she flew quite nicely of course it flies like a heavy warbird.

BTW since my post is unofficially closed there is a resurgence of posts on the forum...where you guys too shy to post at the same time as me:D

Kevin Congratulations!!!:yay:

[PaulG-rc]

That says it all :)
A beautiful flight :)

Small pictures since they are video captures.

[dhamultun]

Congratulations Kevin!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Kevin Rochon]

Thanks David. Thanks Paul for the support and pics.

I almost didn't sleep last night. All went pretty well except the wind which was supposed to be mostly N 10k was all over the place but not strong so I took off with a NW wind and landed with a NE(in my back). Full flaps really slows it down.

I would have done more flight but I lost the ball link for one of the gear doors in flight.

[Sempai-mj]

Congrats Kevin!

[pierre sarault]

Like all of us, I waited for this moment ...for years it seems = C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S !

Hope someone shot a video of this momentous event!!!

It must have made you heart swell with pride and relief!

Well done!

(Landing looks like a nice 3 pointer too!)

[PaulG-rc]

Here you go guys a small video clip :^)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbAsHPqr5ew

[briankizner]

way to go. Can we get a few more pages on this thread from replacement of the landing gear ball link?

[fbrunet1957]

Félicitations Kevin.
Tous tes efforts sont bien récompensés.

[bob forest]

Great looking plane Kevin, Glad to see it all went well. Plus I did not see any discoloration of your pants.
Congrats.

[Kevin Rochon]

Thanks guys,

yes I can prolong this thread.

Last night I check to make a new ball link but I realized why it came off. First I knew the ball was getting a bit loose because of all the trial testing, but the tube the rod goes into on the door was just broken off.

Pics to follow.;)

[Kevin Rochon]

Thanks Paul for the video I didn't even see that you posted it, Albert told me today.


BTW I saw your Fat bike tires those are Bigfoot;)