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Well folks, the Panther has paint:

http://i41.tinypic.com/1zbuwly.jpg

More photos here:

http://flypanther.net/2013/07/19/the-weather-isnt-the-only-thing-thats-hot-in-florida/

North...

Just a heads up to let folks know that there is now a new Panther builders group online. If the Panther rings your bell, come on over and get signed up. That, and the Panther blog will be the main...

If you enjoy reading really nice flight reports and seeing great video, then you've got to see the latest from the Panther blog.

For some background on Bob Woolley the test pilot, have a look...

The Panther has been wired for sound. Want to take a ride?

http://flypanther.net/2013/05/08/what-is-it-like-to-fly-a-panther-ls/

Tony

Bob Woolley did his test pilot thing again on Saturday. Report follows:

The following is a brief summary of my second flight in the Panther.
It occurred on 4/27/2013 at Haller airpark. Departure...

Two test flight reports in one day! Whooppee! Bob Woolley, a Panther beta builder and retired USAF pilot wrung the Panther out and wrote an outstanding report. Too long to post, so you'll have to go...

If you read Rachel Weseman's blog, then most likely you've already seen Dan's flight report. If not, here it is:

With 8 flights and over 5 hours flight time in N515XP I guess I’m the worlds hi...

The Panther was a big hit at Sun n Fun. Even Van the Man stopped by to chat with Dan.

http://i47.tinypic.com/2podtp5.jpg

And not every member of Team AeroDynamix stopped by, but 4 out of 12...

Ron 'Smokey' Schreck stopped by the Panther booth to try it on for size.

http://i49.tinypic.com/15gw5rk.jpg

Ron's a member of Team AeroDynamics and was rumored to be trying to work a deal for...

I'm a real dummy! Totally forgot that Dan Weseman's last airplane was an RV-4. We'll see what Dan and Bob have to say about comparisons when they get deeper into the test program.

Tony

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the tip on the shoulder harness, and thanks for commenting.

I have to agree with your observation that it will never quite be an RV-3/4. My guess is that it will outshine...

Here's the Panther on takeoff roll.

http://i47.tinypic.com/2igj1ft.jpg

And here's Dan Weseman, the very happy designer, builder and pilot.

http://i45.tinypic.com/25fiq80.jpg

For more...

The weather in central Florida hasn't been what one would want to fly a first flight for the last week. But today that changed. The Panther has flown! Rachel is working on an update to the blog with...

The Panther prototype is ready to fly!


http://i46.tinypic.com/29ynm6v.jpg


Details here, along with many more photos and a short video.

Tony

The DAR went for a Panther visit on Friday and left this behind:

http://i49.tinypic.com/24cwguw.jpg


Rumor has it the first flight will happen in the next few days. Have a look here for a few...

Yes, it's a COOL plane!

The Yahoo group didn't see much action, so this thread has taken its place. Click the correct box, and you'll get an email every time somebody posts to this thread. Go...

Glen,

Not to worry about the flipper canopy leaking. Hundreds of RV-3's and -4's, including mine, have proved it's not an issue. Rachel Weseman built the Panther prototype tanks. She says not to...

http://i48.tinypic.com/2928rqx.jpg

Glen,

Just to keep from forgetting how, I took the liberty of posting your drawing. My comments in no particuliar order. Months ago, I did a drawing very...

Here's a couple of photos from the link above.

http://i50.tinypic.com/14l7n1s.jpg

http://i47.tinypic.com/20zp4sx.jpg

Very nice for sure!

Tony

Minor issues with the trailing and skin required about 3/32" be trimmed off and yet maintain a factory edge. Choices? Belt sander, vixen file, or router.

http://i50.tinypic.com/24qo4d5.jpg

...

http://i48.tinypic.com/2ev89cn.jpg

The prototype wing skins had no holes for aileron bellcrank inspection. Another beta builder task. Skin too big to use flycutter on drill press. Too chicken to...

It had been years since I had installed more than just a few nutplates. The Panther fuel tank has 32 on the top of the tank and 32 on the bottom, plus 10 that wrap around the leading edge. Lots of...

http://i45.tinypic.com/34pmjqc.jpg

The HF squeezer is making the rounds of Panther beta builders. First set of spars in North Carolina. Second in Florida. Currently in Dick Fisher's shop in...

http://i50.tinypic.com/2agrn1f.jpg

The center wing skin on the Panther is rather large- 48" x 80" to be exact. Reach on a standard C-frame is a little less than 20". How to dimple the circled...

Got busy skinning the first wing and didn't have time to leak check the second tank until today.

http://i48.tinypic.com/344tvk8.jpg

No leaks, and so much easier using closed end pulled rivets....