Buttercup Project - Steve Wittman -First Flown in 1938

Well, the wings were taken down after being on the ceiling 6 years...( Moving , building a house, Life happens )

Holy Cow , it's a good thing they were sealed with a varnish coat of epoxy.
I blew them off with high pressure air.
I was going to hose them down , but our outside faucet hasn't thawed yet.
So, bucket of water and a sponge. They are cleaning up nice. nothing sticky.

This kind of shows how ONE guy can do this... Up or down.
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Gotta Fly...


http://www.wingsforum.com/download/f...7364&mode=view

http://www.wingsforum.com/download/f...7363&mode=view

http://www.wingsforum.com/download/f...7362&mode=view

Funny... The Wings are back "UP"...
I did a little work on them.
But I needed the room, I flipped them too.
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I dropped in here to tell Frank about those perfect lines he was talking about...
and how wrong he was...

I missed the Datum Line... also... The streak was too narrow.
The lines on metal are no problem...The ones on the fabric can be tricky to remove without leaving a Ghost....
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Here's my Stuff... Yeah I use it to polish Aluminum.... But it polishes a LOT of things...
It only takes a dab to wipe out the pencil lines/marks....gone
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It's a good "Fine" polish to have handy.
Works on headlights too , Or CD's / Movies that won't play.


Here's a Link "MOTHERS"

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/696...d&odnBg=ffffff

Taking advantage of some good weather .
I got it ready last October after it SAT for 6 yrs , but Winter hit early ...
plus I needed a Bi-annual revenue , registration and insurance.
Got it all taken care of , time to explore my new area.

Since my Buttercup project is getting closer to completion ,I need to get my flying skills polished up

I was cautious , I tied the plane and tested full throttle .
After Takeoff I stayed over the private strip (Robco)
She ran great... I flew around twice ... Each flight was 1.2 hrs
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I'm working on the plenum for my Buttercup ,
but I have a lot of firewood to cut & split ...yes, Winter is around the corner.
plus , it would be nice to fly her again before it gets too cold with the open cockpit .

Gotta Fly...

Oh, that's wonderful!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Frank Giger

Oh, that's wonderful!

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My Grandson was out with me... He said it wouldn't get off the ground !!!
Well, he was surprised...

He's only 5 yrs old... He's never seen any of my planes fly.

After I took off , I circled back with a low fly-by...( Can you see the peace sign ? )
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It was good to get my plane back into the air, it was on the ground TOO long.

Also... He's the age where it might sink in a little.

Oh, I put him in the seat with the head phones for a few pictures .

Something to look back on.
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Gotta Fly...
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Back to work

This is a baffling piece (in the literal sense, part of baffling), or am I just being baffled (in the literary sense)?

I'm trying to baffle the Lycoming , but I baffled YOU... Ha !

Its getting closer ...Now I have 4 pieces ...front , sides and rear area ,
I need to connect them and seal the plenum area , it's been a slow stage , with lots of starring
I was baffled before the engine , it was a phase...or a Fog...it's lifting
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Gotta Fly...
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progress,

Gotta Fly...

Buttercups are cool!

I've got the back wall cleco'ed to each side , still more to go

Gotta Fly...

funny bends took funny brake pieces

here's the piece in place , still a rough fit

Gotta Fly...

more paper turned into aluminum

Gotta Fly...

Any thing wrong with cutting this here ?

I drew the black line first , I like the straight cut the red line is showing .

Sealing it... Small piece of aluminum to overlap and a little bit of high temp silicone to make a vulcanized sandwich.

Gotta Fly...

Excellent work!

Thanks Frank , I'm waiting to hear some progress on....hmmm does your plane have a name ?

My first planes name is Miss Lucky Stars....
Cause every time I fly her I'm thanking my lucky stars

my second plane took years to come up with the right name ...Mystical Madness
"Miss Tickle Madness"
It seems to fit .

I think I heard you call her something before ...but can't remember ...

Waiting for updates

Gotta Fly...

More Baffling Pictures.
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I have Dzus fasteners on a lot of this lower Plenum.

I plan to hold the top cover in place with them too.
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So far...the lower pieces weigh 2 lbs 4 ounces

It's strong and comes apart easy.

I made a drill template for the Dzus lay-out...Banding material works good.

Gotta Fly...
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more baffling pictures

hmmm, I stuffed the Buttercup in the pole barn while I work on my Kolb FSII.

Then an opportunity to vac-u-form my wing tips / strobe cover came up .

I looked through my old experiment , found a piece that I can use ...after a little bit of repairs

Here's some pics ...They might have been formed last night , I'll post those pictures later.
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Gotta Fly...

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Wow , impressive machine after looking at Utube homemade rigs.

I asked Dave about posting his "contact " info in case youz guyz might need something vac-u-formed.
Some of the things he showed me that he has designed and molded were very professional looking .
I also learned about using Textured plastic sheets ...
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Dave Ekstrom

Director of Engineering

4125 Hangar Drive NW

Bemidji MN 56601

PH 218-751-1880

dekstrom@bemidjiaviation.com
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.http://www.wingsforum.com/download/f...8906&mode=view
http://www.wingsforum.com/download/f...8905&mode=view
http://www.wingsforum.com/download/f...8904&mode=view

. The scars on the aluminum were hidden with some engine turning .
http://www.wingsforum.com/viewtopic....18465&start=75
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Gotta Fly...
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I got it sealed up with Chaffing material and a layer of Wool
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Gotta Fly...

http://www.wingsforum.com/download/file.php?id=9230&t=1 http://www.wingsforum.com/download/file.php?id=9229&t=1

http://www.wingsforum.com/download/file.php?id=9228&t=1 http://www.wingsforum.com/download/file.php?id=9233&t=1

http://www.wingsforum.com/download/file.php?id=9232&t=1 http://www.wingsforum.com/download/file.php?id=9231&t=1


Gotta Fly...
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Wow.... I was surprised to finally come back and find no replies.
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I thought I posted some good stuff , obviously no one seems interested in a Buttercup...

Saves me time ...
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Gotta Fly...Baby
JAM ( Just Another Mike )

Well I dunno, seems folks have been following your work for some 8 years and 67,464 views? I'm not sure what you expected during this your last absence for a year from making a post? Looks to me like some nice work on this lengthy project?

Sometimes your work is too good to comment on ---
What have you been doing for the last year?
What is this most recent part and why is a nut taped on the Knipix(sp?) pliers?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DonN

Sometimes your work is too good to comment on ---
What have you been doing for the last year?
What is this most recent part and why is a nut taped on the Knipix(sp?) pliers?

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This is an example of the Modification....I can JUMP a flange to squeeze a rivet
Different size nuts work...I use two sizes so far.
The tape has NO PRESSURE...It only keeps the nut aliened
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I thought of this during my Plenum fabrication

https://www.wingsforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=320&t=18465&start=75#p54514
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Gotta Fly...
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PS Thank you for the complement....That's a new one
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Quote:

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Originally Posted by planecrazzzy

This is an example of the Modification....I can JUMP a flange to squeeze a rivet
Different size nuts work...I use two sizes so far.
The tape has NO PRESSURE...It only keeps the nut aliened
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I thought of this during my Plenum fabrication

https://www.wingsforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=320&t=18465&start=75#p54514
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Gotta Fly...
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PS Thank you for the complement....That's a new one
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OK - I turned a thick (1/2") die for the rivet squeezer to jump a flange. Works great.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CHICAGORANDY

Well I dunno, seems folks have been following your work for some 8 years and 67,464 views? I'm not sure what you expected during this your last absence for a year from making a post? Looks to me like some nice work on this lengthy project?

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Don't feel ignored... Your reply was censored ...
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Gotta Fly...
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PS 67 thousand? ... Thanks Frank

Hey Guys,
I guess the Wings Forum is getting repaired and should be back in a day or so.
I'll finally get to update my building log, , it could be viewed,but I haven't been able to post since about August ( 7 mos )
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Meanwhile ...I just happen to see a picture with those knipex (?)
The first way I was jumping a flange for riveting...The jump block was floating...it had to be held til pressure was applied.
later I came up with using nuts because SIZES are easy to change,
and they are held to the tool with a simple piece of tape, leaving metal to metal contact.
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Gotta Fly...
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Can we get the yearly update? It's my birthday Saturday and I'd like a little whitman treat!

Here's your TREAT... My Loss... My Project is "For Sale"

0-235 Lycoming (Mid-Time), Fuselage and Tail are Covered , Wings are built / need covering.
Catto Prop (new), Dampeners on landing gear , Matco Brakes , Goodyear Tires , Instruments included and transponder w/ mode C encoder
Full Swivel Tailwheel, 3" prop extension,
$10,000 takes everything I have that goes to this Bird.
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Wife is Divorcing me , I don't have the place or time to work on it or ROOM for it... (95% Done)
It's close to starting the Engine...Just a few more details and hook-ups.
I'm keeping my other plane , This one has to go.

The Plane is located near Bemidji, MN ( It's in Laporte,MN 56461 )
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You can see pictures HERE...or
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The main Building log has been on the Wings Forum.
The forum makes you register in order to View Pictures...( I know...Tarded )
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https://www.wingsforum.com/viewforum.php?f=320
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Gotta Fly...
Mike in MN

PS Materials alone are worth MORE than 10K , WAY MORE...
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Here's more pictures.
These are the flight controls
Gotta Fly...
Mike

More Pictures

Misc Pictures.
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Whoever buys it will get a Copy of all the building pictures...

Gotta Fly...

I wow! That's rough so sorry to here about your situation. Hang in there. It is a treat for sure! I'll see what I can do.

Process for Welding the Fuselage...
It helps Keep the Longerons from pulling in during welding.
They are kept slightly outward for fabric...
The fabric then pulls them in for a straight Fuselage.
Learned this from Jim Clement.
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Gotta Fly...
Mike

The plane is pretty much sold...
We're working out the details...
He got it for 7K
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I gave it away
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Gotta fly...
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Did you complete the sale? (sometimes things happen...)

Sorry for such a late response.... It went to Colorado...
I still haven't set up a new shop yet... But I did find a house...
I'm retired , but driving Semi, I'll slowly move things and maybe move in before next Winter.
I need to Wire the Garage... Insulate it and sheet rock.
This is one of the reasons I sold the project , it's gonna take a while before I'm ready to build again...
I turn 69 next week....I'll probably work on my Kolb Firestar II....
Maybe build an Ultra light ???

Gotta Fly...
Mike