FAIREY FIREFLY MARK 5, 1:4 SCALE

[David Brown]

Another great achievement Karl, can't wait to hear the triple run.

[chris willis]

Fantastic unusual aircraft, nice work there.

[Karl mander]

Update on the firefly, the airframe is complete and glassed allowing me to paint it in Korean war colours.
I'm pleased with the outcome and the satin finish. I'll now be able to bolt the flaps on to complete the wing. I'll post more pictures as I complete the wing.

[paul needham]

looking good Karl.

[David Brown]

You will be finished before the garden Party at this rate.

[Karl mander]

Hi

After finishing the painting I've been able to begin bolting it together.
The retracts, meant for a 1/4 as scale mustang, have been modified to fit, I've still to do some fine fettling.
I then bolted the fairey-youngman flaps onto the wing, they work great and complete the wing.
You can see the slipper tanks and guns on the wing.
The paint looks great in a satin finish.

Karl

[ian redshaw]

Cracking job Karl, looks spectabulous!

Ian.

[Alan Cantwell 1131]

I think its your best yet, Fantastic

[Karl mander]

It's been a few weeks since I've updater the build thread.

For the past few weeks I've been installing the zenoah triple engine. It seems to have taken forever as I've had to work out how to mount the engine securely.
The engine is not only bolted to the firewall, it's secured to the upper half of the cowl. Planning to do this I had strengthened this area with fibreglass. It now has two layers of fiberglass giving great strength, it also secures the upper cooling tubes that bring cool air to the crankcase of the engines.
once the engine was secured I've had to construct the cooling shroud that guides air over the three cylinders. The benefit of the magneto engine gives space between the cylinders giving the ability to get cool air to the front of the cylinder.

[Karl mander]

SHEDOLOGY SUCCESS!

Yes the crux of this project burst into life yesterday. The inline triple, all 186 cc was started, it sounds fantastic completely different to the twin with a proper cackle.
I started it twice the second run of about five minutes with no problems with the mixture or carboration only stopping out of consideration for my neighbours.
I have rrecorded the test but currently unable to get it on you tube.

Unfortunately the oleos aren't up to the weight of the model, a solution is being sought. The retract units are Dave Brown's fine creations a great piece of engineering.

.

[Tinus Nielsen]

Good job.

Looking forward to the video. :-)

What prop are you running on the engine now?
I´m considering making a tripple myself for a future project, and this will also most likely be geared.

[Karl mander]

Finally uploaded the video after many attempts the link is-

Karl Mander's inline triple: https://youtu.be/YJjLLm-OL4o

The belt can be heard slipping and requires tightening. I've removed the prop hub bearings and secured them with Loctite bearing fit, this has performed faultlessly in my twin.

The prop was a 37" by 14, I would like to say that this size was chosen after aplying a lengthy mathematical formula, however the truth being this was the first prop that I picked up.

I'm now waiting for the arrival of new oleos.

Karl

[Philip Goff]

Karl,
The engine has a lovely note to it and the Firefly looks superb.

I suppose you could say that it is another triumph for shedology.
I must admit I do like that expression, unfortunately in my case
it is shambolology rather than shedology.

An excellent thread and subject, keep up the good work.

Regards Phil G.

[david whiston]

Hey Karl
She looks like she is ready to go certainly seems to have an excess of power!! Well done !

[David Brown]

Great job Karl, sounds great.

[Steve Morris]

Looking forward to seeing and hearing this one, great job

[stuart knowles 1611]

What are you taking to East Kirkby Karl? (assuming that you will be going) Bear or Firefly......................Bear ........ or .........Firefly

[Karl mander]

Thanks for the comments.

I think shedology could be defined as "the blunt edge of non-technology "

Hopefully I'll fly the bear this weekend at Catton garden party. The firefly has been put out to one side as ive reached the milestone of starting the engine. I'm currently working on the 335 which has now had 6 flights but the Sh##e century jet retracts are still causing problem.

Not sure about East Kirby, depends on what the wife-god allows.

On another tangent I've had my van painted, of course being somewhat bonkers it had to be painted in the colour scheme of the firefly.

[Karl mander]

It's been a while since I've updated the firefly build .
It's all finished and the final inspection completed.
However my bench has been busy with yet another project a 1/4 scale pucara.

[Karl mander]

Hi
Picture of finished firefly, I have others that I'm unable to load.

Engine started easily enough and then reduction drive started to slip, so it's something I need to look at.