Thatcher CX4 Build.

[ben87r]

So for anyone who has been following my other thread here,

 

http://www.recreationalflying.com/threads/hummel-bird-build.38274/

 

The Hummel has been dropped in favor of the Thatcher CX4 and work has begun. Im just in the process of ordering my materials and have built the recommended table and started making a few forming blocks and jigs. Not going to have to much to keep me occupied until I can land some gear. Here is a few photos of the workshop and progress so far

 

You can see the table here and the spar forming jigs, haven't got any of the forming block as yet but not much to see really, Oh. And that's my off sider Simba!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ave8rr]

It will be good to follow your progress Ben. The CX4 is is a nice looking aircraft.

 

Cheers

 

 

[old man emu]

Ben,

 

Get some more bracing on that table's legs. You want it as solid as a rock.

 

The CX4 looks like a real pretty plane, with a good touch of cruise speed. What is the endurance supposed to be?

 

OME

 

 

[boingk]

Definitely looks the goods!

 

Endurance with the 10.5gal / 40L tank at a 'standard' VW burn of 14~15 litres an hour would be around 160min, or 536km / 289nm.

 

All that is, of course, dependant on the engine fitted and tank size - they're offering an auxillary tank on the site even.

 

- boingk

 

 

[ben87r]

Get some more bracing on that table's legs. You want it as solid as a rock

She aint going no where OME, Might not look like much in the photos but there is a dozen 100mm bugel screws in each corner, I am going to put a shelf under it too but ran out of gear so ill wait till i got some more left over.

 

As for endurance, I think im going to get my tank made here so i might be able to get the main tank a bit bigger, Hoping for around 45ltr(12USG) and a 15ltr (4USG) marine tank behind the seat in the cargo area that pumps out to the header tank. So my maths put that at 60ltr no reserve (if anywhere along the way i can squeeze more in i will and if W+B allow(Im only 75kg) a larger marine tank could be used when needed) and i think im going to go with Scott Casler 1835 60 hp engine. Not sure of the fuel burn but if boingk figures are right ild be pretty happy with around the 4 hour mark. I will be using it for a fair amount of cross country when complete

 

I got to shoot of now but when im back ill post up the links if the decent write ups on it.

 

Cheers!

 

 

[RetiredRacer]

They are a nice little aircraft. My brother is building one and Kevin Osborne at our local airfield Watts Bridge now has his in the air.

 

Here is a link to the article (with photo's) of his beatifull little aircrafts first flight made by Kev Walters.

 

http://www.wattsbridge.com.au/files/news_bvsac/bvsac1206_june2012.pdf

 

 

[mAgNeToDrOp]

I love the look of the cx4, is it possible to have wing fuel tanks? I see they are developing the 2 seat CX5 which will have wing tanks

 

 

[ben87r]

Not to sure about the wing tanks but do remember reading something about it, Not sure if the cost and complexity would be for me although im sure some would love it. If W+B would allow a 20ltr marine tank for an aux and i could then get 4Hrs with 5ltr RES i think i would be happy, Just means i can stop for a coffee and a piss

 

Here are the articles that i have read through, There is alot but i would like to keep them for my record as well

 

http://www.eaa.org/experimenter/articles/2011-01_thatcher_sidebar.asp

 

http://www.eaa.org/experimenter/issues/1101.html

 

http://www.sportaviationonline.org/sportaviation/200903?pg=33#pg31

 

http://www.eaa.org/experimenter/articles/2011-09_thatchers.asp

 

http://www.eaa.org/experimenter/articles/2010-05_womb.asp

 

http://www.eaa.org/experimenter/articles/2011-02_thatcher.asp

 

http://www.eaa.org/experimenter/articles/2010-08_cx4.asp

 

http://www.eaa.org/experimenter/articles/2011-01_thatcher.asp

 

http://www.eaa.org/experimenter/articles/2011-06_thatcher.asp

 

http://www.eaa.org/experimenter/articles/2010-04_cx4.asp

 

http://www.eaa.org/experimenter/images/1101_thatcher18.jpg

 

 

[ben87r]

http://www.eaa.org/experimenter/images/1101_thatcher18.jpg

 

Ive got heaps more info for anyone interested but this is all that i think is needed. Below shows the AUX fuel tank idea as well as a comparison of the two models ( standard and wide and tall)

 

 

W and T_compared.pdf

 

W and T_compared.pdf

 

W and T_compared.pdf

[boingk]

Thats the way guys, and yeah the aux tank is documented at the home site here:

 

http://www.thatchercx4.com/advisories.htm

 

Its a 3gal tank, which works out around 12 litres - assuming US gallons.

 

This really does look like a great aircraft.. although my homebuilding eyes have been firmly set on the Steen 'Knight Twister':

 

 

http://www.steenaero.com/KnightTwister/

 

Looks the good for sure, would be good to fly a CX4 and a KT back to back I reckon.

 

Cheers all - boingk

 

 

[ruffasguts]

welcome to cx4 world i made the tank capacity 50 litres call me if i can help with any probs construction is not difficult

 

Mick W

 

 

[ben87r]

Cheers Mick! might try and get a few photos off you of the tank if i could? Also did you make you spar or buy it?

 

 

[ben87r]

Just got an email back from Scott Casler and the 1835 and the 1915 (60 and 65hp) and expected to burn 3-3.5 USG/PH (11.4-13.3 L/PH). So if i could do a 50ltr tank like Mick plus the 15ltr Aux tank would be 65ltr no reserve and between 4.9-5.7 HR no reserve on those figures with 510NM-595NM. If that was how it turned out in reality i would be more then happy. I can see myself doing the coast a fair bit so plenty of places to take a break, The only time i see range being to much of a problem would be NT/WA which i would love to do

 

 

[Guernsey]

There is another CX4 project about to get under way in South Australia.

 

I cannot mention his name without his permission.

 

Alan Marriette.

 

 

[ruffasguts]

Cheers Mick! might try and get a few photos off you of the tank if i could? Also did you make you spar or buy it?

tank was made to fit space avaliable same design as plans made from aluminium and welded the aircraft was built totaly from the plans with very few deviations the main change was the conopy lathing mine can be flown with ganopy open about 3 inches by the time you need a canopy we should be making them in S.A.

Mick

 

 

[JimG]

tank was made to fit space avaliable same design as plans made from aluminium and welded the aircraft was built totaly from the plans with very few deviations the main change was the conopy lathing mine can be flown with ganopy open about 3 inches by the time you need a canopy we should be making them in S.A.Mick

Hi Mick , i know this thread is 4.5 yrs old , just wondering if you did make any CX4 canopies and if though are they available now

 

Cheers

 

Jim G