1/2 VW firewall forward weight

[langolier]

Does anyone have the weight of a running 1/2 VW firewall forward.
Lets say for example, Full case, Dual carbs, Exhaust, Prop etc.
Also, Without having seen any plans for the LE XL how critical is the centerline of thrust ?
Can there be any deviation in the vertical position ? Thanks,
Brad

[Steve]

Does anyone have the weight of a running 1/2 VW firewall forward.
Lets say for example, Full case, Dual carbs, Exhaust, Prop etc.
Also, Without having seen any plans for the LE XL how critical is the centerline of thrust ?
Can there be any deviation in the vertical position ? Thanks,
Brad

Brad:
This is a question that few if any flyer's will have and that happens by the way the order of construction takes you and the particular parts & hardware used... The Mikuni's will vary over a pound each in weight and the prop extensions can differ by a pound or so... There are pounds of difference in the exhaust systems... The Milholland plumbing drain pipe exhaust weigh's ounces...

Most fullcase 1/2's with 009 ignition will weigh in the mid 90 pounds range - with the use of a scale
and some creativity you might get it done under 90 pounds... That result will take dedication and even looking for a light case (yes they differ in weight)...
Steve

[Steve]

Also, Without having seen any plans for the LE XL how critical is the centerline of thrust ?
Can there be any deviation in the vertical position ? Thanks,
Brad

The 1/2 Vw is not offset from the firewall... There is an XL variant that departs drastically from the thrust centerline with the 1/2 VW... With that slow turning prop the builders may have added down and toward the descending prop blade adjustments... This variant was built with Challenger II wings as seen below... More photos in the Yahoo Photo gallery:

[langolier]

Thanks Steve, The only reason I asked the questions is I see the Hummel 1/2 VW states a 80 to 103lb weight I was not sure what that all included. I think the LE with the 1/2 VW is a very good design and fit but the Valley Engineering Generac V twin with a claimed 250lb versus Vw's 170lb of static thrust is very intriguing. Valley Eng. full setup (running) claims 120 lbs that alone could put this idea out to pasture. Perhaps a better question to ask is how much does a per spec LE  less engine weigh. If keeping with the LE's same wheel design the thrust line would have to move up about 8" to compensate for the 70" vs 54" prop difference in which 6 1/2" of that is taken care of with belt reduction offset. Not sure about longevity on the Generac, A properly setup VW has a pretty good reputation.  Maybe this conversation has been around the block in here already but I did not see much in the searches.

[Dan_]

 but the Valley Engineering Generac V twin with a claimed 250lb versus Vw's 170lb of static thrust is very intriguing. Valley Eng. full setup (running) claims 120 lbs that alone could put this idea out to pasture.  

If I am not mistaken the Smiths bought the 1/3 corvair prototype LE airframe to hang the first Big Twin on for testing, making the LE the first aircraft to fly with this engine.  Before they had only tested it on an airboat and a dunebuggy...

They had the light weight BRS on it perhaps to help make legal weight.

There is a blurb about it down a ways on this page... http://www.culverprops.com/big-twin.php

It is mandatory to have a starter with this belt reduction engine.  It will put you in the hospital if you try to hand prop...  #Lithium cobalt battery

For the price a Big Twin you may be able to get a nice light direct drive 3 cylinder radial from Frank Johnson with the right prop shipped with it.

[langolier]

Wow I didn't realize Performance Propellers sold the Scarlett 3VW. I don't see a price but I hope he has one on display at Airventure that is one gorgeous motor. If the price point is anywhere near the "Big V" it would be a perfect fit no brainer. Just another reason to spend more time at Oshkosh this year.

Eagle with V twin ?  

[Dan_]

Doug Hart may have bought a Legal Eagle at some point but he never had anything to do with building one, or anything to do with Leonard Milholland or Gene and Larry Smith.

[scottiniowa]

Another case of a low-life way living off of dreams... hope that is the end to his ways on the aviation field.

[langolier]

Yea the little I have seen or heard of this guy he is definitely a swindler. Some of his "designs" looked sketchy at best. Just glad they caught up to him as to not hurting anyone else. We have another one of those guys in our county. The state and local airport even gave money to his promises only to find them empty but there catching up to him too. The only reason I pulled out this video regardless who it came from was it sure looked like a Leagle Eagle with a Valley Engineering V twin attached. Whether this was at ultralight weight status or not is what I would like to know. Would be just another possible option.

[Dan_]

...
 The only reason I pulled out this video regardless who it came from was it sure looked like a Leagle Eagle with a Valley Engineering V twin attached. Whether this was at ultralight weight status or not is what I would like to know. Would be just another possible option.

That particular Legal Eagle had wings from a "Honcho" ultralight, so your mileage may vary.  However the definitive answer to your question can be found in the archives.

• Go here: http://www.eaglersnest.com/forum/index.php?board=30.0  
  
• Hit "search".
• Copy and paste this exact search term into the subject box... Saturday trip to see the Smiths BIG TWIN
• Click " Search for items" button...

There is a commercial on TV about a Lithium Cobalt backup cell phone battery that starts several cars.  The last vechicle in the line is a V-8 Ford Bronco without a battery at all.



The point I am making is there are many lightweight batteries available now.  I don't know if this could be used successfully on an airplane or not.

About jumping cars with these batteries...  http://www.highya.com/minimax-reviews