Evans Volksplane VP1

[bosvark]

The Volksplane VP seems to be a very odd choice of earie to build. It is slow , DRAAAAAGy and odd looking . I have been looking for an abandoned/half built project to save time vs scratch building. Reason for my choice - it is supposed to be 'not so costly' to build - cheap does not fit into aviation (Noel ?) , 'easy to build' and a sweet little thing to fly. (To fly is something I must still learn to do and at my age I will have to pull finger or apply for a bed at the local old age home.)

There appears to be a number of abandoned projects around. I have however decided to take the plunge. I will scratch build. In my search I have met some of the most friendly, honest persons around. People who share a dream and for some inexplicable reasons, have an affinity towards the VP. However, there do not seem to be many flying around our skies.

For that reason I would like to hear from other VP builders, their frustrations, successes etc and try to establish a support base for VP builders, wannabee builders and most importantly to hear from the guys who have done it.

[Jayson v Schalkwyk]

I have a set of Jodel D9 'Bebe' plans that are for sale.
Here are some details

http://www.jodel.com/index.asp?p=d9&themodels

Hawkerdriver

[bosvark]

I have a set of Jodel D9 'Bebe' plans that are for sale.
Here are some details

http://www.jodel.com/index.asp?p=d9&themodels

Hawkerdriver

Building those ribs.....

[Jayson v Schalkwyk]

Bosvark,

sorry, which ribs u refering too? The Jodel or my Bh. The jodel ribs are some serious work. I had an uncompleted D9 abandonded project and bought the plans to try get that aircraft going. No such luck. Work was extensive and beyond what I was capable of at the time. Now I just have the plans.

But at least now I have started on Bearhawk 1050.

Hawkerdriver
Jayson

[heinrich]

Bosvark I know of a flying VP1 at Bara. Saw it flying earlier this year. Also spoke to an owner of one who is flying from Brits and has put some serious hours one it.

Also spoke to a guy who is selling his one in Welkom, you could call him if you still want a project. (Hasn't flown in 10 years he said.)

My enthusiasm for the type has cooled somewhat for a couple of reasons but I think to scratch build with the right type of wood is gonna be difficult as you have to import a lot it. (one at Bara was built to exact spec with imported wood) If you go for the local Saligna wood where needed it becomes too heavy. Think maybe that's why a lot of projects get abandoned? Just a guess. Anyway, after doing some more research about plans built single seat and small duals I am more aiming towards the Thatcher CX4 or Sonex types. Maybe metal is more my "thing" and it may be easier to work with depending on your skill set. Even so, I still need the space to build so for me it's pure daydreaming until that is sorted.

Anyway, let me know and I can put you in touch with the above mentioned guys if you want to chat to them about the type. Still looks like a nice open cockpit aerie to fly. With not that many around I guess it's still a nice type to build and fly.

Good luck with the project.

H

[bosvark]

Bosvark,

sorry, which ribs u refering too? The Jodel or my Bh. The jodel ribs are some serious work. I had an uncompleted D9 abandonded project and bought the plans to try get that aircraft going. No such luck. Work was extensive and beyond what I was capable of at the time. Now I just have the plans.

But at least now I have started on Bearhawk 1050.

Hawkerdriver
Jayson

The Jodel ribs. Just the project to tackle when you are on forced early retirement and need something to keep you from being under the old lady's feet the whole day! In all respect, I have seen some nice work on those types of ribs/wings. But I don't have time on my side. The Jodel is a very nice plane from every thing I've heard and read, but I will not be able to chip away at those ribs...

[bosvark]

Bosvark I know of a flying VP1 at Bara. Saw it flying earlier this year. Also spoke to an owner of one who is flying from Brits and has put some serious hours one it.

Also spoke to a guy who is selling his one in Welkom, you could call him if you still want a project. (Hasn't flown in 10 years he said.)

My enthusiasm for the type has cooled somewhat for a couple of reasons but I think to scratch build with the right type of wood is gonna be difficult as you have to import a lot it. (one at Bara was built to exact spec with imported wood) If you go for the local Saligna wood where needed it becomes too heavy. Think maybe that's why a lot of projects get abandoned? Just a guess. Anyway, after doing some more research about plans built single seat and small duals I am more aiming towards the Thatcher CX4 or Sonex types. Maybe metal is more my "thing" and it may be easier to work with depending on your skill set. Even so, I still need the space to build so for me it's pure daydreaming until that is sorted.

Anyway, let me know and I can put you in touch with the above mentioned guys if you want to chat to them about the type. Still looks like a nice open cockpit aerie to fly. With not that many around I guess it's still a nice type to build and fly.

Good luck with the project.





H

I would love to make contact with those guys.

I spoke to some snr slimkop who did some analisys on the saligna and he reckons the weight is neglegible (although I would have preferred spruce).( should perhaps fill the fuss with helium ) Some of the abondoned projects I've seen is more because procedures were not followed (built with no AP supervision) and complete deviation from plans.Also some horrible workmanship. Plain k@k aanjaag.

You can of course enclose the cockpit. There are some very nice examples and that is my plan. Did I see on another post that you work for the same org. as Tony (van den Heuvel?)??

Make a serious plan about the space. Time is passing...

[Theuns v V]

I have to say that the old Saligna being to heavy is bull. If you chose correctly it is as light as Spruce. Spruce BTW is not all that a fantastic wood as ot is maid out to be, it is the standard as there was allot of it in the USA.I have repaired a few spruce "certified" spruce spars and they are remarcably soft.

The amount of "wood" that goes into a plane is relatively small and the most weight gain comes in with the plywood.

As for strength and toughness you simply cannot beat good old "Blue Gum"

If you need spruce however, talk to Noel Otten here on AVCOM, I am sure he can help.

T

[bosvark]

thnks T . Just what I wanted to hear. Will be visiting Silverton Houthandelaars soon with a friend to go and select wood. It seems they have experience (and patience) with earie builders and wannabees who unpack stacks of wood to select only two or three choice planks.

[bosvark]

Any advice regarding the sourcing of streamlined tubing for the wing struts? It seems the four struts will be costing as much as the material for the rest of the airframe, save the ceconite of course, even with the price of 1/6" and 1/8" aircraft ply being what it is. Anybody got some ply left-overs littering the hanger??

[oldtimer]

Bosvark,

A lesson Noel Otten taught me.

Please consider building the two seater, it's the worst thing ever to be assisted by all of your mates in building the aircraft and carrying things around and ending up eventually climbing into the finished project, waving at your helpers when you taxi out to the holding point and disapearing into the sunset while all stands next to the runway chearing you on, wishing they could be up there with you.

You'll never be able to give any of them a "flip" for their efforts!!

[heinrich]

You can of course enclose the cockpit. There are some very nice examples and that is my plan. Did I see on another post that you work for the same org. as Tony??

Make a serious plan about the space. Time is passing...

Hi Bosvark,,

Indeed, I work in the same org as Tony. (If I recall correctly his details are on the EAA builders directory.) He's got a brilliant example. If you look at the paintwork it's difficult to believe the aerie is almost 20 years old. He pulled it out of the hangar one day to show me how it flies. Fantastic. I can't comment on the diff between weight of spruce & saligna. Being a layman in that area I can only go on what the experts tell me. Theuns works with the stuff so he'll know. If there is no big difference then I guess it's silly to try and import as local will be cheaper by far?

I think you're spot on in terms of projects being abandoned because okes stray from the plans and try to be too clever. Had many chats with Tony about his VP1 and his idea was to simply build it exactly like the plans and the result speaks for itself. IIRC the guy in Brits who I mentioned also has enclosed canopy. I guess it makes it a bit more practical to take on longer flights. There are guys on the VP yahoo group that have gone overboard with 2l turbo VWs up front with reduction drives, taller landing gear and whatnot... each to their own I guess.

Please open a thread on the build section to keep us in the loop about your progress.

Groete
Heinrich

[bosvark]

Bosvark,

A lesson Noel Otten taught me.

Please consider building the two seater, it's the worst thing ever to be assisted by all of your mates in building the aircraft and carrying things around and ending up eventually climbing into the finished project, waving at your helpers when you taxi out to the holding point and disapearing into the sunset while all stands next to the runway chearing you on, wishing they could be up there with you.

You'll never be able to give any of them a "flip" for their efforts!!

Now you make me feel k@k ! I will allow them to fly it, if that would help? I would love a two seater Old Timer, but I also have my limitations.
I am thinking of building a second one for Jnr. At least we can then fly in formation. You can't do that with one two seater now can you? :twisted

Noel cautioned me regarding the VP2. The CAA may have a problem issueing a build nr as the plans are not sold (read supported) by the designer. In a discussion with one of the slim manne at CAA he cautioned me regarding the performance of the VP2 at our high and warm altitude.

I.ve been between a rock and a hard place on this resulting in nothing happening. And time is moving on...

[Theuns v V]

Don't ofrget about clear Oregon pine or Douglass Fir for the wood. Therse are "structuraly" more like Spruce than Saligna.
Saligna (blue gum) has a much more inter-woven corse grain and not realy such defined year rings like the Spruce/pine /fir wood.

This in my opinion is not an issue at all, the other woods just look nicer and smoother to work with. I believe thet Saligna will be the cheapest of all the wood.NB!!! it must be wood with a moisture content of more than 8% and less than 12 % if used on a plane.Kiln dried usually works well.

When you go buy the stuff, get twice as much as you will need, in wood there is allot of "un-knowns" and a piece might look good on the outside, but not as safe when cut up.With just a few planks you can get far.

Take a plastic hammer with you and tap the plank, this will give you a good idea of the solidness and if any big cracks are there.

Stay away from the darker red collour saligna, this can contain more oils and have hassles with the glue bond. Get a good epoxy for wood like Aeroldite, Aerodux 500 or any aircraft stuff. AMT also are epoxy specialists and can help you. I used epdermix 372 by ABE ( with regular bach tests though!) and the L-18's wing was loaded to 1300 kg (4G)and didn't even "moan" or creek

IIRC the VP uses allot of Marine Ply, most timber yards sell it. I used the BS 1088 standard with exelent results.
Aircraft Ply you can get at plywood distributers in Mooi str. JHB. DON"T USE COMERCIAL PLY!!!! It delaminates.

If you choose saligna, look for the very light pink to allmost cream collour planks, they are the lightest.

When making a glue joint, try not to sand it to the final shape, rather plain it, it keeps the pores in the wood open for the glue to get a full bond.

Ply needs to be scraped with a hacksaw blade to roughen up the surface and then blown with compressed air and vacumed where a joint is made.

I sugest you get a coppy of the AC-43, specifically the wood section to help with the technical side of thigs like the "grain runnoff allowed, knots/pinnknots ect. The book will also help with the fabric. Don't look at only Ceconite, there are other

If I was building the VP1 I would keep it as simle as the plans state, no canopies, large turtledecks ect. A well designed/installed windshield will do just fine and keep it light.

Hope it helps.

T

[bosvark]

Don't ofrget about clear Oregon pine or Douglass Fir for the wood. Therse are "structuraly" more like Spruce than Saligna.
Saligna (blue gum) has a much more inter-woven corse grain and not realy such defined year rings like the Spruce/pine /fir wood.

This in my opinion is not an issue at all, the other woods just look nicer and smoother to work with. I believe thet Saligna will be the cheapest of all the wood.NB!!! it must be wood with a moisture content of more than 8% and less than 12 % if used on a plane.Kiln dried usually works well.

When you go buy the stuff, get twice as much as you will need, in wood there is allot of "un-knowns" and a piece might look good on the outside, but not as safe when cut up.With just a few planks you can get far.

Take a plastic hammer with you and tap the plank, this will give you a good idea of the solidness and if any big cracks are there.

Stay away from the darker red collour saligna, this can contain more oils and have hassles with the glue bond. Get a good epoxy for wood like Aeroldite, Aerodux 500 or any aircraft stuff. AMT also are epoxy specialists and can help you. I used epdermix 372 by ABE ( with regular bach tests though!) and the L-18's wing was loaded to 1300 kg (4G)and didn't even "moan" or creek

IIRC the VP uses allot of Marine Ply, most timber yards sell it. I used the BS 1088 standard with exelent results.
Aircraft Ply you can get at plywood distributers in Mooi str. JHB. DON"T USE COMERCIAL PLY!!!! It delaminates.

If you choose saligna, look for the very light pink to allmost cream collour planks, they are the lightest.

When making a glue joint, try not to sand it to the final shape, rather plain it, it keeps the pores in the wood open for the glue to get a full bond.

Ply needs to be scraped with a hacksaw blade to roughen up the surface and then blown with compressed air and vacumed where a joint is made.

I sugest you get a coppy of the AC-43, specifically the wood section to help with the technical side of thigs like the "grain runnoff allowed, knots/pinnknots ect. The book will also help with the fabric. Don't look at only Ceconite, there are other

If I was building the VP1 I would keep it as simle as the plans state, no canopies, large turtledecks ect. A well designed/installed windshield will do just fine and keep it light.

Hope it helps.

T

Thks Mr T, it helps a lot. I would not have thought about some of the things you mentioned. Saligna is R7700/m2 and DF R13000. With the amount of wood required this equates to only a few houndred rands to the total cost of the project. I would thus rather use the best option in terms of weight/strenght. Which is.......??????????//


How do I determine moisture content?

I would have choosen the darkest I could get....

I would heed the other pieces of advice.

I plan on using Epidermix because I know it and can stroll down to Hettie's h/ware on a Sunday afternoon if I run out. But, if there is something much better....? Any suggestions?

1/4" ply will be 1088. 1/16 and 1/8 will be via Placo (thks Piet)

God willing, I will go and select the planks from Silverton Houthandelaars week after next. They are MOST accommodating to airplane homebuilder nuts. (I suspect they think we ARE nuts)


Where can I get a copy of the AC 43?

Alternative for Ceconite?


I am planning an enclosed cockpit (nice bubble) and a discreet turtledeck.

My deerness thinks it is a k@k idea to build an aeroplane, so I am out on my own . This is one Great Trek I will do without a woman to help carry wagon(aircraft) parts up and down the cliffs.

I do not know whether Fritz van D is active on Avcom. Anyway, many thanks for the gift. I still have the VP2 in my head, maybe some day..? but for now, I have committed to the VP1 (x2?). But I will bug you regarding YOUR dream. Maybe I can help.