Press
release: For immediate release
Construction progress report on “Blue II”
September 2008
Even though the progress on Blue Thunder II was
a little slow this month, I think that we can
call September very successful month. George
Giboney with Rapid Travel had trouble with his
superchargers but did amazingly well and
finished every race. Our airport neighbors,
Team Rare Bear, did their usual spectacular job
but were disappointed with some piston burned on
Sunday. Thunderstorm 2008 went very smoothly
with the overwhelming support of all the TBG,
fans, sponsors and team members. There are so
many people that deserve recognition I hesitate
to mention anyone for fear of leaving someone
out; so, for now I will say tanks to all for a
very successful air race month.
As
for the progress that did get accomplished on
Blue II, we were working on a new way to retract
the tail wheel doors so that they could not come
open in flight and seal the tail wheel
compartment from any traversing airflow. My
original design was to have a yoke and swivel
connection for the doors connected directly to
the gear trunion. This approach did not work
because the doors can only be closed during the
last few degrees of the gear retraction so that
the tire can clear the OML of the fuselage
before the doors can close.
A new approach is now used with a cable lift
arrangement for the doors that is working quite
well. The cable lift point has considerably
more leverage to hold the doors closed while the
gear is retracted and they can not be pushed
open.
SCS
is sending some new springs that will do a
better job of holding the doors open while the
gear is extended, but retracted; the doors are
virtually air tight.
The
right MLG doors are complete with their fit and
work is continuing on the left side. This work
might be easier with the wing upside down but we
are doing it this way hoping for a better final
product.
Next month we should be able to report on a new
solution for the MLG inner door latches, the new
engine and possibly show the wing mated to the
fuselage.
Jan and I, with the entire Blue Crew, wish
everyone a Happy Halloween, and thanks to
everyone for their continued support.
Blue
Thunder Air Racing
