Justin Werth

43 minutes ago, Ratdog said:

Looks like ive bought this project for a reasonable price .  This project started out in ohio and was then passed around to a couple of owners who never worked on it .  Now i have to figure out how to transport it to utah from colorado.  Apparently with the strakes it is too wide to put flat on a trailer . One previous owner transported it with this setup below .  Seems a bit precarious to me .  I have a car trailer does anyone have any expertise in transporting long ezes 

There are some options on this thread:  

14 hours ago, court said:

What's the deal over there? You have to pay per month to see the posts? I can see the first post, but I can't see the comments.

Here is the link to that Q1 for sale.

I don't know what is up with that message.  If you are a registered member (free), it doesn't appear.

There is a Q1 listed for sale on HBA today.  It looks like it's ready for finishing.

5 hours ago, Matt Radcliffe said:

Forgive me is this inquiry is unwelcome but you seem to be open with your opinions here.  What do you think of or know about the Corvair powered mark 2 dragonfly listed on barnstormers?

I’m looking at getting a PPL and thinking a small experimental like this might be more interesting than puttering along in a 150/152 while I learn and build hours.  
 

I don’t need something perfect, I’m an automotive mechanic by trade so small repairs and engine work are welcome but I’m not a composites or airframe expert so it seems wise to ask around before I travel and pay for expert inspection just to be told the obvious.   
 

will someone here be kind enough to explain how I’m being completely stupid.   

That plane is very heavy.  It needs a crankshaft.  I would suggest updating it to use the current Wynn designed parts. Then you would need to fix the broken wingtip, rudder, and tail spring. The gear on that plane are not on the tips but are the MK2 spring gear.  It still wouldn't be a trainer as Kent said.

Marc's advice is spot on.

Was this the Lake Charles Dragonfly?  You should come and party with the Dragonfly group on groups.io too if you haven't already joined.

Kent,

Thank you for the thoughtful response!

I have looked at 3 aircraft so far in person and my experience with pictures has been that the sellers are selective about what they send.  I am picky about when I will travel specifically for an aircraft at this point.  I have made the mistake of hauling a trailer with the full intention of purchasing something only to haul an empty trailer home.  My rule is that an airplane isn't worth buying if it isn't worth making 2 trips.  I am getting better at being objective and not emotional in the review process.  I also have a mandatory cooling off period before I will make the final purchase decision.

The Corvair plane had more issues than I was willing to accept.  You are right that it was a basic panel.  It also had automotive wiring throughout.  The weight and damage were beyond what I expected.  I put together a rough estimate of how much the engine work alone would cost and it was no longer an option before I even started to address things like the weave showing through on the body and the three fuel tanks.  There was no way it was going to go on a 250 pound diet.  It was in Minnesota and I happened to be there so it was worth the 2 hour drive to see it.

The next specimen on the docket is interesting.  It's low weight (634#) and it was built buy an EAA technical counselor (still researching if that truly means something) but it hasn't flown in years due to the owner's health.  It is running the 2180 VW but an internal inspection needs to occur before I will consider the purchase.  On the surface it looks good but you never know until you put your eyes on something.  The gross weight is also set at 1100 on this one instead of 1150 which is concerning.

I am a member of the Dragonfly and Quickie lists on groups.io but I will check out the canard aviators group.

I love how you call out the National Fake News site.  I cut them out of my life 3 years ago and haven't looked back.  If it isn't on another site it isn't worth selling my soul to those ghouls.

I know the Marc Z. is a west coast resource and the jet guys are central US but is there a East Coast company that can do pre-buy inspections on composite canard aircraft? I am flying to RI next week to look at a Dragonfly.  If I decide to move forward, it would be great to have someone who knows about these aircraft do the inspection.

On 9/21/2021 at 1:26 PM, Justin Werth said:

That Dragonfly in MN has a bad crank and is pretty heavy.  I spoke to the owner and he is a great guy.  It's a bummer that the sale fell through.

I found this today in my quest for a Quickie 1.  It's too far away for me but someone here might be interested:

https://abbotsford.craigslist.org/avo/d/abbotsford-east-rutan-quickie-one/7381952686.html

 

I went to see the Mankato Dragonfly, here are some pictures I snapped.

That Dragonfly in MN has a bad crank and is pretty heavy.  I spoke to the owner and he is a great guy.  It's a bummer that the sale fell through.

I found this today in my quest for a Quickie 1.  It's too far away for me but someone here might be interested:

https://abbotsford.craigslist.org/avo/d/abbotsford-east-rutan-quickie-one/7381952686.html