Well, a potted history to set the scene. I'm in the UK & hopefully just gonna land myself a BIG project. I am in the final throws of buying a Starduster Too SA300, over here she is reged. as
G-BUPB. She used to be N8035E, not sure when she was imported to these shores & I think her serial no. is RH100, if that makes sense to someone, Dave?? Before going any further I will say now that I am not an engineer, nor am I at all technically experienced with engineering or building, so for any silly comments, I apologise.
She needs an engine overhaul, prop rebuild. These two things are expensive & out of my hands as they have to go off to recognised bodies in the UK to be "done".
The other big issue is she needs recovering. My first of many questions is, she has ailerons on the lower wings only as it stands. When we recover her, is it a big difficult job cutting in top wing ailerons &/or is there a big benefit? Does the handling/roll rate significantly improve?
Plus, while recovering, we would like to adapt her to a winter canopy, removable, to enjoy summer open flying? Suggestions/ problems/ do's & don'ts.
I have read all 30ish pages on this & Biplane forums around Stardusters & Dave Baxter & a few others seem to be the complete oracles of these ladies. Any help, tips, points of interest/ history or general problem areas to look out for while buying would be hugely beneficial & appreciated.
I know she has a long, (not sure if 26") Engine mount, the gear is about 8" aft of firewall. This does have a slight problem with the front cockpit rudder pedals placement. The are just fwd of the gear mount & make manipulation of the pedals awkward. Where/How have others over come this problem, or is it a one off?
W&B wise she is ok, my brother & I who are possibly buying here are not small, 200lb each.
The W&B was, Left=709lb, Right=701lb & Tail=89lb. The MTY CofG is 19.93" aft of firewall datum. Do these figures seem about ball park? Where could we loose a little weight here & there?
Dave if you have any of those tail wheel springs/leafs about still?
She has an IO-360 A1B with C/S prop. so a little heavier than the standard.
Any help or advice as stated earlier would be hugely welcomed & received. Thanks very much & sorry for the long post!
Alistair
G-BUPB. She used to be N8035E, not sure when she was imported to these shores & I think her serial no. is RH100, if that makes sense to someone, Dave?? Before going any further I will say now that I am not an engineer, nor am I at all technically experienced with engineering or building, so for any silly comments, I apologise.
She needs an engine overhaul, prop rebuild. These two things are expensive & out of my hands as they have to go off to recognised bodies in the UK to be "done".
The other big issue is she needs recovering. My first of many questions is, she has ailerons on the lower wings only as it stands. When we recover her, is it a big difficult job cutting in top wing ailerons &/or is there a big benefit? Does the handling/roll rate significantly improve?
Plus, while recovering, we would like to adapt her to a winter canopy, removable, to enjoy summer open flying? Suggestions/ problems/ do's & don'ts.
I have read all 30ish pages on this & Biplane forums around Stardusters & Dave Baxter & a few others seem to be the complete oracles of these ladies. Any help, tips, points of interest/ history or general problem areas to look out for while buying would be hugely beneficial & appreciated.
I know she has a long, (not sure if 26") Engine mount, the gear is about 8" aft of firewall. This does have a slight problem with the front cockpit rudder pedals placement. The are just fwd of the gear mount & make manipulation of the pedals awkward. Where/How have others over come this problem, or is it a one off?
W&B wise she is ok, my brother & I who are possibly buying here are not small, 200lb each.
The W&B was, Left=709lb, Right=701lb & Tail=89lb. The MTY CofG is 19.93" aft of firewall datum. Do these figures seem about ball park? Where could we loose a little weight here & there?
Dave if you have any of those tail wheel springs/leafs about still?
She has an IO-360 A1B with C/S prop. so a little heavier than the standard.
Any help or advice as stated earlier would be hugely welcomed & received. Thanks very much & sorry for the long post!
Alistair
