This was a happy day! The day my "Blue Prints" arrived in the mail! This is a "Plans Built" aircraft, made from scratch! Its called a "FIREBOLT" This is a 2 place Bi-Plane which means it has 2 wings and 2 seats!
Had to weld the frame together from steel I cut to size! Most was Heli-Arc (TIG) welded, and some was Oxy-Acetlene (Gas) welded! Special steel (4130 chromoly) is used in making the frame!
Had to get the feel of it! Just imagine what it will become! Kept taking photos every step of the way! Have over 400 photos so far! Whenever I became fustrated, I just looked at my photos of what I accomplished! That in itself gave me the incentive to go on!
Every part has to be made from raw material. The plans tell you what material is required in the construction of the item. That was the easy part! The hard part was fabricating the piece!
After each part is made, it must be fastened to the airframe! In most cases, that means it needs to be welded in place! Sometimes it was a pains taking task, but it pays off in the long run!
It started to look like something shortly after starting this project! But there still is a lot to go! Needs a engine! Don't forget the wings! That's a half a year of work themselves!
This aircraft will be powered by a 375 HP Chevrolet V-8 engine! It must be modified for aircraft use to include a gear reduction unit! Need to make a positive lubrication system for inverted flight!
Had to make parts in my "mini" machine shop! Here I am turning engine mounts on the lathe to attach to the motor! My shop includes a welder, drill press, belt sander, bench grinder to name a few!
This is the motor on the engine mount! It will hang on the airframe as shown! It has a "Mock Up" of the gear reduction unit to check clearances! Also has the exhaust and intake attached!
An airshow is a great place to show off what I have done. Here it is displayed at an airshow with a wing from an airplane my friend, "Jim" was building, which is now flying! I am an active member of the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association).
This photo is of a completed project by "Starfire Aviation" in Arizona! My project should be completed in less than 1,000 hours of work. That is providing I have enough funds and a place in which to complete it! Hope to build a garage this summer of "98".
This page was Installed on March 17,1998 Last updated on Wednesday, April 1,1998 It was constructed and is maintained by
"COWBOY"
"If I can do it, anyone can!"