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Rebel ser # 0147

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karl.hipp

Rebel ser # 0147

Post by karl.hipp » Mon Feb 20, 2012 5:48 am

I recently purchased a Rebel built in 1996 that was only flown 80 some
hours till 2005 when it was 'stored' until I purchased it.
We trailed it to my home base in Colorado.
The airplane has a 160 HP Formula Power Subaru with a Ryan planetary gear
drive turning a 3 blade warp drive prop.
During recent taxi testing, the left main gear went into a small rut and
the wheel hub snapped off causing the wheel to jam which caused the plane
to turn over on it's back.
Prob blades were ruined and some body panels were wrinkled. I have replaced
the upper panels just aft of the firewall and the upper panels behind the
cabin where the transition occurs from the square cabin to the rounded
fuselage. Also the panel under the left door and panel immediately behind
it. When the gear jammed, it destroyed the mounting area for the gear brace
leg. I replaced the .020 formed angel that joins the under door skin with
the belly skin with a 2 X 2 X 1/8" angle which also bolts into structure at
the front and back of the angle.

I am replacing the Go Kart wheels with a wheel/axle /brake assembly from a
Kawasaki 650 Brute Force ATV.
The tires are an implement tire. 26 X 12 X 12 Carlisle 4 ply with max 20
psi pressure and a 1800 # load rating each. They mount on Kawasaki cast
aluminum rims. The tread has been ground off the tires so they are smooth.
I used .032 2024 T3.
The rudder cap is destroyed so I am orderinf the Dave Fife cap and am also
going to get his wingtips.
My observation is that the Rebel uses surprisingly thin aluminum in areas
where it would seem more strength is required.
I have been advised to prevail on the members of this forum for advice on
'beefing up' areas of the airplane. My neighbor has a Rebel with a ser #
in the 800's which has the Cessna style spring suspension. I like and am
going to stick with the bungees as bungees seem to offer a smoother ride
through a hard landing.

My tail spring--not a spring at all but a piece of thick aluminum--was bent
straight when I bought the plane. The rudder a bit bent also--hard landing
no doubt.I removed and re-formed it and observed that the tail structure
seems way under built. Are there mods for that area? My neighbors Rebel has
a thicker tailspring and looks to have beefier guts in the tailcone.
I understand there is a company called Ontario Mods that has some
aftermarket stuff. I have been unable to locate a catalog or website. Any
help there also is appreciated.

Karl Hipp
Crawford Airpark
Crawford CO 81415
970 963 3755




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