Hi Dave. I am surprised no one else has chipped in here. I might be biased but it is one of the nicest and easiets Motor Gliders to fly. It also soars quite well for what it is. Not sure of the MK1 and Mk2 bit. There was an early change in production in the aileron curcuit. The later version had nicer balance in the aileron differential although the older style still has good handling caracteristics. >From what we can work out this change happenned around serial number 3540 but >not sequentially definite. That is to say that production was mixed around >that number. The difference is easily found. Looking through the clear insopection panel in the bottom of the wing at the Aileron Drive you can clearly see the Bell Crank. The old version is a steel tube fabrication. The later version is fabricated from steel sheet.
Ian on this list can give some more info on what he thinks is the difference in the MK2 which I think from his previos comments came with an L2400 instead of the L2000 engine. It had a removable panel at the front of the engine bay making access easier for maintenance. Is that right Ian?. Things to look out for are general to any FRP machine but there are some specifics. Have a good look at the arcilies heal otherwise known as the Undercarriage Bow. Look for any repair work carried out on the Bow. Defimation only occurs very shortly if at all before failure from experience here. Also has the aicraft been used for training. If so be even more suspicious of the above. The Fuel Tank has an inspection procedure which is eliminated when it is changed to an Alloy Tank. This change happens when either it has problems or the aircraft reaches 3000 hours so check that out in the log book and see how long till it is due or if it has already been done. The inspection is not too big a deal and is due each anual or every 100 hours from memory. The Dimona is unusual in the engine moutn area in that the engine sits in 2 steel frames that sit on 4 rubber dampening blocks. This means the area aroung the engine is structural rather than removable cowls like a G109 or Falke. However this also make the cockpit a bit quieter which is a plus. It is a realtively quiet aircraft in this departemt compared to other MG types. The frames have a rectangular peice of steel sheet welded to the end of them that mounts onto the rubber blocks. They have a habit of cracking at the outer edge of the weld adjacent to bolt the where the tube meets the sheet. This is the subject of a Service Bulletin requireing inspection at your daily. In the event it does crack there are replacements available from Diamond (which are reinforced with gussets) or if you get it early they can be easily modified to the new design with the appropriate drawing. It basically involves welding a gusset either side of the tube to support the sheet mounting point. It is easily checked by lifting the covers and looking at the mounts where they meet the rubber blocks. Gussets either side or not is what you want to know. More to come. Nige. ----- Original Message ----- From: Dave Dungey To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 5:38 AM Subject: [DOG mailing list] New subscriber from the UK Hi All, A group of us in the UK are thinking of forming a Dimona syndicate and when I saw your lists I thought I would take a chance and see if you can give any advice on what to look for, problems etc. Also can anyone tell me what the differences are between the Dimona Mkl and Mkll's please. Best regards to all Dave __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 4343 (20090817) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com
