We all know that plans are virtually impossible to obtain now, other
than from other builders who either never finished an airplane and have
an "un-used" set, or copy and send a copy to new builders. I'm not
thrilled with the thought of tangling with anybody's team of lawyers, so
I'm staying away from all of that.
Having said that, let's face it, the KR2 and KR2S plans are fairly
pathetic anyway....a hodgepodge of old and even older poorly drawn, and
downright cryptic in places, with one sentence instructions something
like "build the aft deck in a similar manner", with no dimensions
provided. Couple that with what is apparently no method to obtain them
anyway, so let's go ahead and say it like it is, building a new KR of
any description is in jeopardy, unless you can find un-used plans.
But wait....we, the collective of KR builders, have really created a
new and improved airplane over the years, using the KR series (which
itself draws heavilty from the Taylor Monoplane) as a starting point,
and improving as we learned and built. Some folks may still want to fly
behind a 1600cc VW in a cramped one seater, but our collective design
has created a "real" airplane that is plenty wide enough for two normal
human beings, is more stable for safer and easier flying, and supports
larger engines powerful enough to make it a real time machine.
It is obvious that what needs to be created are plans for the aircraft
that we have evolved, leaving the KR behind, for the next generation of
builders. My goal in this effort is to produce a completely new set of
drawings and written instructions for this new experimental aircraft,
which I like to call "FreeBird", mainly because the plans and drawings
would be posted on KRnet for free download, as the "new airfoil"
drawings are currently. With plans free to download, just imagine how
popular this design would become. Still, like the KR, it will be a time
consuming aircraft to build, but one that is among the least expensive
to build, and is easily customizable to fit each builder's mission.
For the moment, that plan is on the back burner, as so far, folks have
been able to find plans from other builders....at least up until now. I
have a good start on a CAD model from which I can....with a lot more
work, create drawings. I've just been reluctant to drop everything and
kill 6 months of my life doing this. My goal is to refine my model of
this new FreeBird design, and create the scaled drawings and isometric
views of details, using dimensions and techniques that the collective of
builders have brought to this new improved design over the decades.
What I'd like to relegate to others is to write fresh chapters on
construction of several large components of this new airplane, so that
new builders can also download them for free. What I'm talking about is
an entirely free-of-charge set of plans for a NEW aircraft that will
enable future cheapskate builders like us to build what has evolved into
a new aircraft.
I will start working these CAD files, and will solicit writers for
construction chapters after I have drawings to work with. I will act as
editor. Meanwhile, I hope this will chill things for a while.
Everybody who's wanted plans have been able to obtain them up until this
week, so here's our signal to get back to work on this. For those
looking for plans, don't halt your effort and wait for these new
plans....I may croak tomorrow and never get them done.
Meanwhile, to answer the question of "what changes should be made", I'll
throw a list out on KRnet of changes that "the collective" have created
over the years out on KRnet, and send a link to the list when it's done.
Mark Langford
[email protected]
http://www.n56ml.com
Huntsville, AL
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