WIX Archives

Re: Tri-State Aviatiuon Zero?

Posted by Dick Phillips on Fri Dec 12, 2003 12:56:59 PM

In reply top Re: Tri-State Aviatiuon Zero? posted by Ryan Harris on Thu Dec 11, 2003 01:30:10 PM

: I read in the MSNBC article on Odegaard and Beck that the
: Zero was close but not quite there yet. Dick Phillips prob
: ably knows the most. Tulio was there this summer so he mig
: ht have seen it too.

FROM Dick Phillips

The Blayde Corp. Zero is complete and nearly ready to fly.
The last "hang-up" was an exhaust stack problem. Because of the fact that the original Japanese engine was not used, and an R-1830 used instead, the cowling had to be made about 4 inches larger in diameter, than the original cowling. This meant that a new set of exhaust stacks had to be manufactured to fit the engine and stay within the confines of the new cowling. The first set of stacks that were built, did not fit, and it was either make a new cowling or modify those stacks to fit. The decision was to remake the stacks. That is where we are at the moment, waiting for the stacks to be returned and mounted on the engine, so the cowling can be attached again. With winter in full swing in North Dakota, there probably be no attempt to test fly it until spring. Let me just say that it will be the best looking Zero to take to the air since 7 DEC 41.
If someone can tell me how to attach photos to this posting, I will post photos of the Zero as it sits today.

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