Jan '09 KOTM - Steve Kellander

[DesertFox4]

Steve, seems like my windshield is a little thicker than .090 but would have to look it up. You should see an increase in cruise speeds after the 912S is installed. Also an increase in fuel burn.
We are not sure exactly why my 4 , and Mike Gibbs, got the speeds we did. I really think it has something to do with the wide body mod. but can't quantify that not having wind tunnel access. Obviously wheel pants could help a little but I enjoy landing on desert strips and grass strips so no pants for me at this time. Maybe a radiator scoop would be nice but mine works even here in the desert summer heat. My cowling intakes are probably too big also. I think there is a lot of drag to be reduced inside the cowling if baffling was used to clean up the flow over the engine. I can imagine several ways to eek out a couple more mph's however my 4 now is one of the fastest in our 'group' so I can keep up the way it is. I used to have the slowest Kitfox in the bunch and that was more frustrating especially on cross country trips. I guess what i'm saying is i'm out of the building mode and into the flying mode.
Good luck with the engine swap and let us know the results.

[Slyfox]

Thanks Steve,
I remember seeing your airplane at the kitfox flyin 2years ago, I was really impressed with it. I hope to get things up and running in a couple weeks, I guess my engine is in, just waiting for shipment, the snow is really sucking things out right now. I think putting the mod on for the wide fuse wouldn't be to hard, just a little fabric work, that's doable. The extra fuel burn, it's only fuel, no biggy, I have big tanks on each wing. Rad scoop, that's a possibility. I have the big struts for the back. I was thinking of forming some balsa for that and using some monacoat from my RC supplies to cover it. I do have the bumped cowl, maybe that kills some speed???

[DesertFox4]

Steve ,

The widebody mod. that I have required welding all the angled steel chromoly parts to the fuselage around the door openings. I think this would best be done before covering was on the fuselage. Also the door frames required a lot of tweaking to fit the new openings. I do love the extra shoulder room when flying with a passenger. Very much worth the extra effort. I have heard of a model 4 with an all carbon fiber widebody modification. They say it's really strong and of course would be much lighter in weight than my steel mod. but I haven't had the chance to see it up close yet.
The bump cowl may be slightly more drag but it really looks right on the tail draggers with the 912 engines. Your big tires may be a limiting factor but they are fun and that's what it's all about. Even with the tires you will see an increase in cruise and climb rates. The extra 20 hp. is nice to have without sacraficing much useful load. Hope the snow lets up. Sunny and 60's here now. 70's later in the week. Sorry , had to throw that in .

[Slyfox]

You know, winter is generally the best time for me to fly, I don't mind the snow at all. This year it's real bad. Even if my fox was flying right now I wouldn't be able to fly. Ceilings at 300ft and 1/4 vis is the norm. In the last month, maybe 3 days were open for flying. Snow is fun to fly in. You are right, the big tires are very fun. I'll just have to wait and see what happens with the new motor before doing anything. When you say that you had the slowest fox of the group and now it's the fastest. What can you say you did to make that change?

[DesertFox4]

When you say that you had the slowest fox of the group and now it's the fastest. What can you say you did to make that change?

Steve- I had a model 3 with 912 that topped out at 100mph. I sold it after I completed my model 4. The 3 was slow compared to my 4. It was a blast to fly and still is but I had a hard time keeping up with all the newer models my Squadron mates fly. Not anymore.

[Bryan]

Steve I am very impressed with your plane. Great JOB. I would like to know if you have any pics of the conversion to the wide body? I have never seen this and would like to know more about it. The speeds you are getting far excede anything I can get, however I did have a cruise of 127 at one time but this was only with the pitch of the prop set with to much bite. Would have been really hard on the 912 to fly with this setting for very long. Again nice job, and HAPPY FLYING.

[Slyfox]

I do believe steve has the patriot ultra light prop. This prop will blow you away with what it can deliver. I know, because I went from a powerfin to the patriot ultra light prop and gained 15+ on mph cruise, the climb out was out of site as well.