Dave's XL F-71

[ArcticDave]

Thanks Dave.
Still going to add a lb or so of filler rod and all the mounting tabs for stuff, but should still come in at or just under 40 after paint. I'm satisfied with that. A few pounds heavier than standard, but I knew it would. Overall happy with the way it turned out.

[ArcticDave]

Comic relief for the day.

My buddy James at the helm. Fan and a speaker blasting VW engine noise added to the realism. 
I confess to taking it for a ride too...

[Dave Stroud]

You've come up with a good idea for the upper cabin width, Dave. Plenty of shoulder room and now enough width at the top to enclose the bugger if you want or at least keep your head somewhat away from the breeze.

[ArcticDave]

Thanks Dave.
It's wide enough to strap a mini max wing tank up there. Doors may be added down the road a bit. There is plenty of room to close a door and not squeeze your head!

[Dave Stroud]

I've got my eyes on the Minimax tank too. I was thinking to mount it up there with a filler and vent, then feeding it down to a smaller header tank with a gauge on it. Six gallons up top and maybe two up front for gauge / reserve.

[ArcticDave]

Spooky how we all think along similar lines. Was going to do the something close. A small wedge reserve tank forward of the instrument panel with a sight hose on the panel itself...

You're all going to laugh at this. It's pretty damn comfortable though, and not heavy either. It also folds forward to access that space behind the seat.

[ArcticDave]

I've been too damn sick to get much done the last week...but managed to finish welding all the clusters today. Uglier than snot...but strong with probably way too much filler rod. 
Also laid out my gear fittings today. I dropped the airleron pulley hole to eliminate the standoff bracket and keep them all matched. I decided to just make the fronts the same...the angle was fine for the spring strut support tubes. I believe I can add some lightening holes around the pulley bolt holes to cut some weight.

[Dan_]

Looks great..! 

[Dave Stroud]

Nice progress, Dave ! Keep those pics coming....

[ArcticDave]

Thanks guys 

[Dave Stroud]

Dave....I'm taking another look at your seat and I like the clever approach. Those holes along the sides are set up so you could lengthen or shorten the seat to suit any pilot ? What type of canvas have you used and did you just take it to a canvas person / custom tarp fabricator to get sewn up ? The folding back is a great idea. Thanks.

[ArcticDave]

It's a repurposed deck chair

http://www.cabelas.com/product/CABELAS-PADDED-LOUNGER-XL/1748326.uts

The bottom section of frame was damaged a couple of years ago by alcohol and poor judgement. Its been sitting in storage since then. With all the grommets on the side you can adjust to whatever length needed. I've got a bit of yoga mat that I was going to slip in there for extra padding.
I think that crossbar that forms the normal seat bottom in the airframe will grow teeth after sitting in it awhile...hopefully the padding will alleviate some of that.

Not sure on what it weighs. I'm estimating ~3- 4 lbs when its laced up with the yoga mat pad inside the bottom. Not incredibly svelte, but lighter than the 6 lb Black Max seat I was looking at....cheaper too.

[ArcticDave]

Yesterday I made all 8 of the landing gear/wing strut fittings and started fiddling with the tailwheel assembly. 
Started by drilling 5/8" holes in my .090 sheet stock. Then I rough cut all the fittings out with a cut off wheel on a grinder. Using a scap piece of 5/8 tubing to locate all the parts I shaped and drilled all fittings at once. They turned out nice. I decided to go ahead with a couple of lightening holes. Finished product are all virtually identical and weigh in at 3 oz apiece.

[Tom H]

Artic, that's the way to do it!  That's the way the Eagles are supposed to be built!  No need for computer modeling and laser jet cutting.

[ArcticDave]

Thanks Tom