Last month I started a thread to introduce you folks to Dan Weseman's Panther. I also started a Yahoo group to give those with an interest in the Panther a way to ask questions. Membership and participation hasn't been exactly stellar, so we're going to give it a try here. I'll introduce the 'we' shortly. For those of you not familiar with the Panther the quickest way to get up to speed would be to read Rachel Weseman's blog here. Three-view of the Panther here. Now to the 'we'. The Panther prototype is being built by Rachel and Dan Weseman at Haller Airpark, Green Cove Springs, FL. I included Rachel for a reason. Not only is she handling the business end of Sport Performance Aircraft, she's also up to her eyeballs in helping to build the prototype. This week, she's getting aquainted with tank sealant as she builds the prototype fuel tanks.
Now for the three beta builders. Bob Woolley, who is a neighbor of the Wesemans at Haller is building a sport wing version of the Panther with a Lycoming O-320 engine. Dick Fisher, who lives in Youngstown, OH, is building a tri-gear version with 120 hp, 3 liter Corvair. My name is Tony Spicer and I live in Wilmington, NC. I'm very fortunate to have a hangar at Stag Air Park, a 4000' grass strip 15 miles north of Wilmington. I'm building the LSA version that will also have a 120 hp Corvair.
This thread won't be a blow-by-blow of three beta Panthers being built. What Bob, Dick and I will try to do is hit the high points as we go along. Dick is using Kitlog to track his build. I have Picasa albums that will give you a good idea of what a Panther build entails. Bob? Well, Bob would rather spend his time in the shop. But he's promised to answer any questions thrown his way.
Back to the shop!
Tony