That SOUND, That WHISTLE, Those GUNS...

[Little Friend]

Firewall Forward progress

• All fittings checked and torque marked

• Exhaust manifold - Anodized

• Oil Cooler - custom system (upgrade from water cooling)

• Power supply - split into 2 (safety/redundancy)

• Filter - added between gearbox & prop governor (safety)

• Plastic tubes - all replaced with braided hoses

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Center section progress

• Undercarriage - sprayed and refitted

• Skins - dimpled, glued, riveted

• Access panels - cnc'd

• Fuel tanks - plumbing & caps fitted

Note: Decided to change the gear pressure switch system to a pressure sensing system, used in many Lancair's/Velocity's. Features: Digital Pressure gauges for both pressure lines, Set and Modify the Upper Pressure Limit directly and easily, Set the Restart Pressure Level, WiFi Enabled, Option to briefly run the ‘Down’ or ‘Up’ Pump side regardless of pressure, Fully controlled with any phone/Table. (by Engine Bridge)

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What's next?

• FWF complete - to be fitted to fuselage

• Avionics - Panel finalized and waiting for displays from Dynon (dual 10"/7")

• Backup instruments on order - custom ASI dual kts/mph from UMA. ALT milli/20,000ft/safety flags, 3 1/8' from Falcon

• Installation - throttle quadrant body, rudder, brakes, O2, avionics, cameras, lights, gear pressure system

That's it for now
regular updates incoming...

[V5 - LEO]

Firewall Forward progress

• All fittings checked and torque marked

• Exhaust manifold - Anodized

• Oil Cooler - custom system (upgrade from water cooling)

• Power supply - split into 2 (safety/redundancy)

• Filter - added between gearbox & prop governor (safety)

• Plastic tubes - all replaced with braided hoses

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Center section progress

• Undercarriage - sprayed and refitted

• Skins - dimpled, glued, riveted

• Access panels - cnc'd

• Fuel tanks - plumbing & caps fitted

Note: Decided to change the gear pressure switch system to a pressure sensing system, used in many Lancair's/Velocity's. Features: Digital Pressure gauges for both pressure lines, Set and Modify the Upper Pressure Limit directly and easily, Set the Restart Pressure Level, WiFi Enabled, Option to briefly run the ‘Down’ or ‘Up’ Pump side regardless of pressure, Fully controlled with any phone/Table. (by Engine Bridge)


PHOTO-2022-03-03-07-31-24.jpg


What's next?

• FWF complete - to be fitted to fuselage

• Avionics - Panel finalized and waiting for displays from Dynon (dual 10"/7")

• Backup instruments on order - custom ASI dual kts/mph from UMA. ALT milli/20,000ft/safety flags, 3 1/8' from Falcon

• Installation - throttle quadrant body, rudder, brakes, O2, avionics, cameras, lights, gear pressure system

That's it for now
regular updates incoming...

....WOW

[Little Friend]

It's been a busy few weeks!

Wings

• In the paint shop being prepped

• D day art work incoming

• .50 cal brownings blended into wing leading edge

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Flightdeck/Cockpit area

• Panel being fitted from floor up - Cut out fitted 100%

• Throttle quadrant - raised for comfort

• Infinity stick grips - custom setup, military design

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On the go... Center section in paint shop, Dynon avionics arriving (soon), setting up VPX, Prop has arrived (in JHB completing dynamic balancing).

Lookout for the first Vid on Little Friend's 8 cylinder firing up

[Bearcat]

Am interested to see what colour scheme you select .. there are so many nice schemes for Mustangs !

[Hammer]

Wow - thats looking awesome!

[Little Friend]

Am interested to see what colour scheme you select .. there are so many nice schemes for Mustangs !

What I can share with you in the meantime - Very unique paint scheme!

Would need to wait until fully completed

[RuanS]

I saw the build progress a few weeks ago and it is looking fantastic. The workmanship and fine detail going into this aircraft is on another level.
Can't wait to hear the whistle.

[Little Friend]

Thanks Ruan

Next level workmanship and a no expense spared beauty! Not long to go before we arrange a factory roll out surprise

[Little Friend]

And we’re already in MAY 2022

The excitement grows as we near the end of the build. Many lessons learnt along the way both for myself and team RCA. It has been an incredible experience between studying other builds, adopting newer methods, adjusting to modern tech and ultimately maintaining a good standing relationship with a superbly qualified team working on a rewarding project.

Here’s what’s happening…

Propellor

• Arrived - Stripped down from HUB, sent to prop shop in JNB, completed assembly and dynamically balanced

• Whirlwind - 84” Composite hydraulic constant speed propellor

• Markings - to replicate that of a P-51

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Center Section

• Ready for final paint

• Fittings - fuel lines complete, polished

• Gear assembly - painted

• Brake assembly - changed from plastic hoses to braided lines (improved safety)

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May the blue skies be with you this month! Enjoy the flying

Be back soon…

Little Friend!!!

[Hammer]

Wow! That's looking awesome!

[Chalkie]

Firewall Forward progress

• All fittings checked and torque marked

• Exhaust manifold - Anodized

Anodised? Anodised = aluminium. I doubt an aluminium pipe could withstand an EGT of 860*c, or am I wrong? I understand the whole engine is aluminium; but the exhaust pipes ally too?

I look forward to seeing your aircraft at a fly-in one day. Looks awesome.

[Little Friend]

Firewall Forward progress

• All fittings checked and torque marked

• Exhaust manifold - Anodized

Anodised? Anodised = aluminium. I doubt an aluminium pipe could withstand an EGT of 860*c, or am I wrong? I understand the whole engine is aluminium; but the exhaust pipes ally too?

I look forward to seeing your aircraft at a fly-in one day. Looks awesome.

One would assume anodised aluminium however, the pipes are stainless steel. Anodised process slightly trickier but can be done.

Thanks Chalkie, thoroughly looking forward to having the bird on display

[Chalkie]

One would assume anodised aluminium however, the pipes are stainless steel. Anodised process slightly trickier but can be done.

Thanks Chalkie, thoroughly looking forward to having the bird on display

Interesting: So I asked Dr Goggle

Why Anodizing Stainless Doesn’t Work

Technically, anything can be anodized. You can throw your neighbor’s annoying, yowling cat into a bucket of water and wire it up. If the cat is on the receiving end of the electrons, you’ve got yourself an anodized cat.

So really, you can anodize stainless, but it’s definitely not a project worth your time. Aluminum and titanium, yes. Stainless, no.

Apparently some guys have been able to anodize stainless is by using a hot caustic solution. This is the kind of stuff that people do in a lab. Usually they wear massive goggles and hazmat suits, and it’s generally not very practical for most real-life situations. Keep it out of your garage.

Even still, there’s not a lot of public information on the process or how well it works.

Most professional companies that specialize in treating stainless won’t call their coloring process “anodizing”. They’ll simply refer to it as “stainless coloring”, and their processes are, for the most part, extremely proprietary.

So I learned something new today.

[Little Friend]

MAJOR MILESTONE...!!!

This week I get the opportunity to share what may be the biggest milestone yet!

• Attaching the center section to fuselage

• Attaching FWF to firewall

• Fitting prop and cowling

Every second, minute, hour, day, month, year etc... counts! Where effort is put into completing a task, by focusing on the bigger picture and eventually seeing the fruits of such efforts.

Stick it out, keep going, don't give up - " VASBYT "

Center Section

• Gear doors - replaced ali with custom honeycomb (for strength)

• Brake lines - plastic tubing, replaced with braided lines (for safety and overall better look)

• Gear controller - arrived from USA, installed (waiting for first gear cycle)

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• Fuselage

• Windshield - custom molded ONE piece: prepped, sprayed, fitted (thicker, better strength and greater visibility)

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Center Section + Fuselage + Firewall Forward

• I have no words for this part other than WOW!!!

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Well what more is there to say, a picture speaks a thousand words...!!!

To be continued...

[Hammer]

As you say - WOW!