---------------------------------------------------------- Pietenpol-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Mon 08/13/07: 8 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 06:23 AM - Re: Interested in Piets (Robert Gow) 2. 06:55 AM - cable fabrication (Catdesigns) 3. 07:21 AM - Re: cable fabrication (Gene Rambo) 4. 12:02 PM - GN1 project available (MICHAEL SILVIUS) 5. 12:47 PM - Re: Re: Bowers Pietenpol Article (Tom Winter) 6. 02:59 PM - Re: cable fabrication (Gene & Tammy) 7. 07:41 PM - A Glimps of WW1 RFC History (johnwoods@westnet.com.au) 8. 11:54 PM - Re: cable fabrication (Catdesigns) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 06:23:47 AM PST US From: "Robert Gow" Subject: RE: Pietenpol-List: Interested in Piets Neither. Slow motion photography reveals that they fly up to the ceiling , reach up with their forward legs and grip the ceiling then flip themselves into an inverted position. Bob -----Original Message----- From: owner-pietenpol-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-pietenpol-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of Clif Dawson Sent: August 11, 2007 3:06 AM To: pietenpol-list@matronics.com Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Interested in Piets So how does a fly land on your kitchen ceiling? Half roll or half loop? :-) Clif Corky, I believe Webster's lists "Texas A & P" as "A farmer living near the Mexico border that raises Angus & pigs, knowing they will draw flies. The Texas A & P will spend the day laying on his back watching how the flys fly in order to discover the secret of flight." Because of their obvious superior intellect, other Texans hire them to get rid of the bugs in their flying machines." Gene ----- ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 06:55:08 AM PST US From: "Catdesigns" Subject: Pietenpol-List: cable fabrication I am needing to make the four brace wires for the wood landing gear. Any suggestions on how much to screw in the turnbuckle when I measure the length needed? Any idea of the amount of stretch to expect with 1/8"-inch cable. Basically the question is, approximately how much shorter then the measured distance do I make the cable. I know about the three threads out and four in specification for turnbuckles. Or is it just a wasteful trial and error type thing. Thanks Chris Tracy Sacramento, Ca Website at http://www.Westcoastpiet.com ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 07:21:09 AM PST US From: "Gene Rambo" Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: cable fabrication no threads showing. There is no stretch and you'll be surprised how much slack comes out with a little tightening. Gene ----- Original Message ----- From: Catdesigns To: pietenpol-list@matronics.com Sent: Monday, August 13, 2007 9:54 AM Subject: Pietenpol-List: cable fabrication > I am needing to make the four brace wires for the wood landing gear. Any suggestions on how much to screw in the turnbuckle when I measure the length needed? Any idea of the amount of stretch to expect with 1/8"-inch cable. Basically the question is, approximately how much shorter then the measured distance do I make the cable. I know about the three threads out and four in specification for turnbuckles. Or is it just a wasteful trial and error type thing. Thanks Chris Tracy Sacramento, Ca Website at http://www.Westcoastpiet.com http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Pietenpol-List ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 12:02:47 PM PST US From: "MICHAEL SILVIUS" Subject: Pietenpol-List: GN1 project available see ebay item # 250153236945 I am not in the market my self but looks like a nicely done project so far michael ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 12:47:48 PM PST US From: Tom Winter Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Re: Bowers Pietenpol Article Cliff, Thank you! But there appears to be a page missing. Page 61? button 1 gives p. 56. Button 2. gives p. 57. 3. p. 58. 4. p. 59. Text ends "...built by" 5. No page number: pictures and caption only. Apparently page 60. 6. "Continued from page 61." Text begins "and gussets by ..." 7. PIETENPOLS, Continued. p. 88. 8. p. 89. 9. p. 90. ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 02:59:01 PM PST US From: "Gene & Tammy" Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: cable fabrication Chris, For what it is worth, when I was making up my new drag wires I allowed half the threads on the turnbuckle to show when making up the cable. Once made, I screwed the turn buckle in until no threads showed and the tension seemed just right. One neat little trick that worked well for me was before I swaged the nicopress sleeves I placed a electrican's 1/8" wire saddle (not sure if that is the right name or not but it is what electricans use to attach one wire along side of another. It is in the shape of a U with a nut that screws down forcing a wedge that holds the wire to the bottom of the U). They can be bought at any electrical supply store. I put the nicopress sleeve on and put the wire saddle on behind it and tightened it down. It would hold the wire in place while I tightened the turnbuckle to check to see if it would be the right length. Once I was happy with the length, it held the sleeve while I nicopressed it. Sorry if all that is as clear as mud. Gene ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 07:41:05 PM PST US From: johnwoods@westnet.com.au Subject: Pietenpol-List: A Glimps of WW1 RFC History Pieters, I thought I would share this with you. Hope it brings a smile to your face as it did to mine :) Never know, the flying tips may be helpful in flying the Piet! Enjoy, JohnW WW1 ROYAL FLYING CORPS MONTHLY SAFETY REPORT December 1917 (Extracted from a Daedalian Foundation Newsletter) INTRODUCTION Another good month. In all, a total of 35 accidents were reported, only six of which were avoidable. These represented a marked improvement over the month of November during which 84 accidents occurred, of which 23 were avoidable. This improvement, no doubt, is the result of experienced pilots with over 100 hours in the air forming the backbone of all the units. RESUME OF ACCIDENTS 1. Avoidable accidents this last month: a. The pilot of a Shorthorn, with over 7 hours of experience, seriously damaged the undercarriage on landing. He had failed to land at as fast a speed as possible as recommended in the Aviation Pocket Handbook. b. A B.E.2 stalled and crashed during an artillery exercise. The pilot had been struck on the head by the semaphore of his observer who was signaling to the gunners. c. Another pilot in a B.E.2 failed to get airborne. By an error of judgment, he was attempting to fly at mid-day instead of at the recommended best lift periods, which are just after dawn and just before sunset. d. A Longhorn pilot lost control and crashed in a bog near Chipping- Sedbury. An error of skill on the part of the pilot in not being able to control a machine with a wide speed band of 10 MPH between top speed and stalling speed. e. While low flying in a Shorthorn the pilot crashed into the top deck of a horse drawn bus near Stonehenge. f. A B.E.2 pilot was seen to be attempting a banked turn at a constant height before he crashed. A grave error by an experienced pilot. 2. There were 29 unavoidable accidents from which the following are selected: a. The top wing of a Camel fell off due to fatigue failure of the flying wires. A successful emergency landing was carried out. b. Sixteen B.E.2s and 9 Shorthorns had complete engine failures. A marked improvement over November's fatigue. c. Pigeons destroyed a Camel and 2 Longhorns after mid-air strikes. COST OF ACCIDENTS during the last three months of 1917 cost 317 pounds, 10 shillings, sixpence, money down the drain and sufficient to buy new gaiters and spurs for each and every pilot and observer in the Service. ACCIDENT BRIEFS No.1 Brief: No. 912 Squadron, 3 December 1917, Aircraft type B.E. 2C, No. XY 678, Total solo - 4.0, Pilot Lt. J. Smyth-Worthington, Solo in type - 1.10. The pilot of this flying machine attempted to maintain his altitude in a turn at 2,500 feet. This resulted in the aeroplane entering an unprecedented manoeuvre, entailing a considerable loss of height. Even with full power applied and the control column fully back, the pilot was unable to regain control. However, upon climbing from the cockpit onto the lower mainplane, the pilot managed to correct the machines altitude, and by skilful manipulation of the flying wires successfully sideslipped into a nearby meadow. Remarks: Although through inexperience, this pilot allowed his aeroplane to enter an unusual attitude, his resourcefulness in eventually landing without damage has earned him a unit citation. R.F.C. Lundsford-Magnus is investigating the strange behavior of this aircraft. No. 2 Brief: No. 847 Squadron, 19 December 1917, Aircraft type Spotter Balloon J17983, Total solo 107.00. Pilot Capt. D. Lavendar, Solo in type 32.10. Captain Lavendar of the Hussars, a balloon observer, unfortunately allowed the spike of his fulldress helmet to impinge against the envelope of his balloon. There was a violent explosion and the balloon carried out a series of fantastic and uncontrollable maneuvers, whilst rapidly emptying itself of gas. The pilot was thrown clear and escaped injury, as he was lucky enough to land on his helmet. Remarks: This pilot was flying in full-dress uniform because he was the Officer of the Day. In consequence, it has been recommended that pilots will not fly during periods of duty as Officer of the Day. Captain Lavendar has subsequently requested an exchange posting to the Patroville Alps, a well known mule unit of the Basques. No. 3 Brief: Summary of No. 43 Brief, October 1917. Major W. deKitkag-Watney's Nieuport Scout was extensively damaged when it failed to become airborne. The original Court of Inquiry found that the primary cause of the accident was carelessness and poor airmanship on the part of a very experienced pilot. The Commandant General, however, not being wholly convinced that Major de Kitkag-Watney could be guilty of so culpable a mistake ordered that the Court should be reconvened. After extensive inquiries and lengthy discussions with the Meteorological Officer and Astronomer Royal, the Court came to the conclusion that the pilot unfortunately was authorised to fly his aircraft on a day when there was absolutely no lift in the air and therefore could not be held responsible for the accident. The Court wishes to take this opportunity to extend its congratulations to Major de Kitkag-Watney on his reprieve and also on his engagement to the Commandant General's daughter, which was announced shortly before the accident. FLYING SAFETY TIPS Horizontal turns. To take a turn the pilot should always remember to sit upright, otherwise he will increase the banking of the aeroplane. He should NEVER lean over. Crash precautions: Every pilot should understand the serious consequences of trying to turn with the engine off. It is much safer to crash into a house when going forward than to sideslip or stall a machine with engine troubles. Passengers should always use safety belts, as the pilot may start stunting without warning. Never release the belt while in the air, or when nosed down to land. Engine noises. Upon the detection of a knock, grind, rattle or squeak, the engine should be at once stopped. Knocking or grinding accompanied by a squeak indicates binding and a lack of lubricant. WATCH THAT FIRST STEP It was conceded by all that the pilot had accomplished a brilliant piece of work in landing his disabled machine without damage under the circumstances. It is not with intent to reflect less credit upon his airmanship, but it must be noted that he is a well experienced aviator with over 40 total hours in the air, embracing a wide variety of machines, and this was his seventh forced landing due to complete failure of the engine. It was doubly unfortunate that upon alighting from his machine he missed the catwalk on the lower airfoil and plunged both legs through the fabric, straddling a rib, from which he received a grievous personal injury. Some thought should be devoted to a means of identifying wing-traversing catwalks to assist aviators in disembarking from their various machines. ________________________________ Message 8 _____________________________________ Time: 11:54:33 PM PST US From: "Catdesigns" Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: cable fabrication Thanks Gene and Gene, humm I guess only Gene's know how make cables. Anyway I'll give it a try when I get back in town. Chris Tracy Sacramento, Ca Website at http://www.Westcoastpiet.com do not archive ----- Original Message ----- From: Gene Rambo To: pietenpol-list@matronics.com Sent: Monday, August 13, 2007 7:20 AM Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: cable fabrication no threads showing. There is no stretch and you'll be surprised how much slack comes out with a little tightening. Gene ----- Original Message ----- From: Catdesigns To: pietenpol-list@matronics.com Sent: Monday, August 13, 2007 9:54 AM Subject: Pietenpol-List: cable fabrication I am needing to make the four brace wires for the wood landing gear. Any suggestions on how much to screw in the turnbuckle when I measure the length needed? Any idea of the amount of stretch to expect with 1/8"-inch cable. Basically the question is, approximately how much shorter then the measured distance do I make the cable. I know about the three threads out and four in specification for turnbuckles. Or is it just a wasteful trial and error type thing. Thanks Chris Tracy Sacramento, Ca Website at http://www.Westcoastpiet.com nbsp; Features Subscriptions title=http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Pietenpol-List href="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Pietenpol-List">http://www.mat p; available via title=http://forums.matronics.com/ href="http://forums.matronics.com">http://forums.matronics.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message pietenpol-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/Pietenpol-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/pietenpol-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/pietenpol-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.