Hi Ian,
Thanks for that. The S/No of the U/C I have is 3512 which I think is Laure Hoffman's Dimona. Not sure why it was used ... Overall, the manufacturing standard of the Dimona is not near as good as the Grob 109 I sorted out earlier. For example, I have got the U/C assembled, wheels on etc. .. well I thought I did until I checked the lateral movement of the callipers and found insufficient clearance between the calliper and the fibreglass. Sorted with an anglegrinder but really not good to have to do that. When I picked up the Dimona from Dave McMillan, the engine looked really crappy. However inside looks as new. A plus I guess. I think someone put that engine into the airframe (prob from a box of spares) along with the original baffles (which we tossed) and the U/C to make up a complete aircraft. I have checked the engine and yr right ... it does need the exhaust valve guides modified, but apart from that looks good. We have redesigned the baffles and now are tighter than a fish's bum. Also have installed the Limbach cylinder shrouds so not expecting any heating problems. A few bits were not there ... Throttle and choke link rods and the bracket for one end of the throttle and choke operating rods needed some modification to work. Also do not have one lap strap. I am working this coming week in Lara (Victoria) and hope to catch up with John Viney to sort out the entry and exit configuration of the cabin heat shroud around the muffler. But apart from that, it is coming together really well. I sanded off the original finish totally and have repainted it .... all white at this stage and it has cut and polished to a very nice finish. Used car salesman ..... just had a dust up with one. Really pulled my chain. There is a developing interest over here with "touring motor gliders". But still has a long way to go. An issue that I can see is the regulations changing. At the moment over here, they are operating under the NZ Gliding rules and are considered of course gliders. However cruising thru control Zones and TMA's etc and long distance flights is not quite what the Gliding rules here had in mind. Best regards Ian Williams From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ian Mc Phee Sent: Saturday, 27 October 2012 7:20 p.m. To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [DOG mailing list] Dimona Info I remember visitinggeoff Edwards a few times in Brisbane and remember he was trying to flog off e few new engines in boxes. They would have been old and not sure if up to date with TBs Edwards would have made a good used car salesman. Ian On Oct 17, 2012 8:01 AM, "Ian Williams" <[email protected]> wrote: Hi all For the last 3 years or so I have been working at getting an ex Thai Dimona S/no 3537 back into the air. Over the last few Mths progress has accelerated. Self employment having to take priority unfortunately. But it should at the very least be complete by the end of the year. However I have a couple of issues / questions that one of you may be able to answer. 1) Our Dimona had an "emergency landing" near Bangkok on 26 Feb 1992. And I think was actually written off by the TAF.. the ding busted the U/C and a little damage around the attach points which we have repaired. .. and replaced the bent rod (HT ones) ends so all good. However the U/C we have has the S/no of the Dimona operating in the Sydney area . Do any of you have any more info about the history of these aircraft. I did find a pic of our one (when still in Thailand) with its busted U/C. Also the Limbach L2000 is s/no 1234 (no joke) It seems it has only been test run. (in the early 80's) There is no evidence it has actually run in the airframe. Any historical info would be appreciated. Apart from the damage around the U/C the airframe looks very "straight" 2) Would any of you have any pictures or drawings of the plumbing for the cabin heating from where the air comes in thru the hole under the prop, into the muff around the muffler to the heat box. We have made another muff but not sure of the placement of the hose fittings on the muff. The other Dimona in NZ just has a short length of scat hose not connected to the muff. It works well but a response from Limbach indicated that the CO danger was too high so would prefer the original design. Best regards Ian Williams Agcon Engineering Ltd New Zealand ZK-GCB
