Errol Groff wrote in
:

On Fri, 28 Sep 2007 22:26:57 +0000 (UTC), Bertie the Bunyip
wrote:

Errol Groff wrote in
m:


Indeed it was a flying replica. I recall one day I was with him and
as we turned base for landing a P-51 zoomed in from the right on a
high speed fly by down the runway. We hit the wash from that plane
and rocked wildly. Ford's flying skill saved our bacon that day I
do believe.

I have no knowledge of what happend to the craft after he sold it.
He moved on to building a Steward Headwind. A sort of Aeronca C3
looking plane. As plans built it had lift struts but Ford
re-designed it to have flying and landing wires. One night as we
were working in the loft assembling a wing another ai port ner- do-
well came in a commented "HA! I see you built two left wings!" We
looked at the wing leaning against the wall and the one on the saw
horses and sure enough that is exactly what we had done. We were
able to save the spare and two evenings later we had a RIGHT wing
built and things moved on. That was a long time ago now but I still
miss my friend greatly.


Brilliant!
I know the headwind allright. I have some plans for it buried
somewhere. Excellent idea with the flying wires.

I've seen warnings about building two of the same wing alright, but I
didn't think anyone actually had ever done it! I made some wrong side
root ribs, having said that!

What engine did your friend stick on the Epps?


Bertie



Gosh, it was so long ago that I really don't have any idea. I seem to
recall that it was a flat four so probably Continental or perhaps a
GPU Lycoming. Just guesses but I am pretty sure that it was not
anything fnacy line a small radial.

Just curious. The original had a 40 HP Ford and then a Cirrus or Gypsy
inline which looked perfect. Drawings were published for homebuilding
the airplane in Popular Aviation about 1933 or 34. I have those
drawings, but they're pretty sparse even compared to the other airplanes
published in that mag around that time like the Corbens and Heaths. An
experienced builder would have no problem but it's just something worth
thinking about for a future date when I don't have 20 projects lined up!

Bertie