John W Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 Looking for help in choosing engine and landing gear for Dragonfly. Just COMPLEETED reading and indexing all 128 issues of Dragonfly newsletters. Thanks to Pat Panzera for link to the DBFN files. Also, thanks to Ray Parker for allowing me to visit his flying DF at Butler Co. Airport in Ohio. Big help. After many years of barn storage, I now feel I am somewhat more knowledgeable and ready to dive head on into completion. One thing for sure, the more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know. My partners and I have decided to go from M-1 to MK-3 because only one of us is proficient with tail dragger. So, my first question is: What are you guy’s using for nose gear. I am aware DB-5 nose gear being used but think it may be a little weak?? Second question: The Corvair engine was just becoming popular in Dragonfly when last DBFN newsletter was published. The mod-4 VW engine would be a good choice but thinking the Corvair may start with a more solid build. Also, is my assumption correct that a six cylinder would run with a little less vibration. Have any significant issues occurred with the Corvair conversions I need to be aware of? P.S. Just now found the “Powerplant” section in forums. Will be reading as I wait response. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kent Ashton Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 There is not much Dragonfly discussion on this site since the 2008-2009 timeframe but maybe you will get lucky. I see that there is a (yuck!) facebook page with around 350 members https://www.facebook.com/groups/162738144297634/ and this one with 800 or more: https://dragonflylist.groups.io/g/main Corvairs have a good bit on online support. https://www.experimentalaircraft.info/homebuilt-aircraft/corvair-aircraft-engines.php I was just watching a youtube video of Wynne the other day filmed by a guy who had taken his Corvair College course. Also watched one of a guy modifying larger VW cylinders for a Corvair. That looked pretty easy. Quote -KentCozy IV N13AM-750 hrs, Long-EZ-85 hrs and sold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillHigdon Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 You might reach out to Charley Johnson, he has some experience with Covairs & Dragonfly's. He's active on both the Facebook & Groups.io groups. His brother Bob has fitted a Rotax 2300 to his Dragonfly. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hiedadam Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 Mines got a limbach l2000 eo1. Just a fancy vw that’s certified in Germany. That said get an 80hp something. Most of the vw conversions these days are pretty good. Personally I like the limbach the best and will be at sun n fun finding out if I need to do much work to put Revmaster heads on it. Less valve adjustments... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony P Posted March 17, 2020 Share Posted March 17, 2020 John W, are you going to have a spare Mk1 front wing lying around? If so, I may be interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Countach74 Posted March 18, 2020 Share Posted March 18, 2020 Would love to do a Dragonfly or Quickie with a Yamaha Rx1 or Apex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John W Posted April 3, 2020 Author Share Posted April 3, 2020 Anthony P. I Do not have spare front wing. I am using my original MK-l canard after removing outer gear pants. I am in process of converting to Hoop gear using Dave Divincenzo plans as shown in DBFN issue 43. Have one BIG QUESTION maybe you or someone can answer. Dave's glass gear is 4 inches by 5/8 thick across top and ends, and uses layers of 3" wide rolls of "E" glass, .025 thick. Does he overlap the 3" strips inside the mold by one and one half inch to end up with 4 inch?? If so, I don't believe it will be flat on top due to overlap. This would make it impossible to mount without patching a flat area where the bolts mount the gear to fuselage. Or does he cut 3" strips in half, to gain a 4" wide leg? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony P Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 Ok John W, I thought you may be converting to the straight wings of the Mk2 or even gull wings to increase wing tip ground clearance. Sorry I can't help on the layup schedule for the hoop landing gear. Join and ask here: https://dragonflylist.groups.io/g/main Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Cranford Posted August 30, 2020 Share Posted August 30, 2020 Hi John W Could I please get thew link form you for the DBFN Would love t have those before I dive into my DF project Many Thanks 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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