Gord Sorensen wrote: > 1. I want to lengthen the fuselage a little. Is it better to widen each > bay or add a bay? How wide can a bay be made (safely)?
Either way works, although I'm told that adding a bay is better due to the plywood scarf hits the same vertical, theoretically saving some plywood. If you're just going to add a little to each, I'd think you could get away with 2" or so on each one, but I'm guessing. > 2. I want to use a 0-200 (my dad has one laying around). Using a larger > engine, what modifications should be made to the fuselage? Firewall? Check the various fuselage photos of KR2S project boats at www.krnet.org . The 2S was designed to handle the 0-200, and merely added another plywood shelf and a few extra 5/8 x 5/8 members. The newsletter published an "RR sanctioned" reinforcement consisting of two long 4 x 2.5 x .125" alumium cross members backing up the mount bolts also, but personally I left them off since my mount points come closer to the corners of the firewall. Assuming the KR1 calls for 1/4" plywood for the firewall itself, that's good enough for your plane as well. The best photos I can offer are at the bottom of http://home.hiwaay.net/~langford/kfuse.html , but I'm sure there are others out there with more detail. As for width, the 0-200 is very close to the same width as the VW engine, so although the cowling will be slightly different, the firewall shape should be OK. > 3. Is anyone using inset hinges and weight balance on the flying > surfaces? What methods are people using? Not sure what you mean by inset hinges, but I would think the stock piano hinges would qualify, and they work just fine. Ailerons MUST be balanced, and if I were running an 0-200 in a KR-1 I'd definitely balance the elevators. Again, check the sites, but most are pretty much going by the plans (at least the KR2 and S has them). If the KR1 plans don't have them, that doesn't mean they don't need them, especially at the speeds you'll be travelling at! The KR-1 plans are notoriously lacking in the details. I'm sure somebody with the details will point you to a webpage where it's built per plans. In my opinion, the elevator is best balanced at the tips of the elevators, and there's nothing wrong with the stock KR method of balancing the ailerons (see http://home.hiwaay.net/~langford/troy/00062926.jpg for the stock setup). > 4. Wing tanks, what kind of mounting are people using for tanks in the > wings? Wet wings? The KR2 and 2S plans call for tanks in the outboard wings, and most have been done that way. Mine is one of the few in the stub wings, and that works too. Aluminum probably is the way to go, but composite works too, as long as you build them separate and test them for leaks BEFORE you install them. Just stick with us, and we'll get ya there... Mark Langford, Huntsville, AL N56ML "at" hiwaay.net see KR2S project at http://home.hiwaay.net/~langford
