Super Pacer (Bushmaster) Mod

[scotthayd]

I'm very happy with my Bushmaster conversion. It is much more stable and fly hands off nicely. The cruise speed is decreased by about 3 mph. Approach speeds are much more dramatic. I can trim at 45 to 50 mph, power off and not not sink like a rock. Stall speeds are lower but, the lower approach speeds are the big change which make short field landing much easier. I am changing my old Deemer tips out to Sullivan's. I'm curious to see if that makes a difference. They are almost 4 pounds per wing tip lighter. I'll report on what I find out. Although, I don't really expect much change. I needed a winter project and I'm tired of cracking my head on the droop tips.

Hope to see you here in the San Juans.

Have you switched to the Sullivan wingtips yet? I have been eyeballing this change myself and am curious if you notice any changes.

[Stephen]

No, there are no other plans. Everything plus some obsolete plans are non the disc. The plans do not have drawings for ailerons. I used the flap drawings on how to splice the control surfaces together. I used PA 18 ailerons for measurements.

[Stephen]

Have you switched to the Sullivan wingtips yet? I have been eyeballing this change myself and am curious if you notice any changes.

I am in the process currently. I will post my results.

[Stephen]

I am in the process currently. I will post my results.

I started a new thread, comparing Madras to Sullivan tips.

[Just Call Me Al]

Next step was removing the Pacer wing and removing fabric.

Next, buck hundreds of number 5 rivets installing the spar reinforcing at the new lift strut location. SC attachment brackets are used in the forward spar and the front Pacer attachment in moved to the rear spar.

Drag wires get moved and new compression struts are added.

Your can see how the drag wires are doubled for added strength in the outter bay.

This wing will be much stronger than a typical Super Cub wing.

What part number fitting did you use for the strut attach fitting to the front spar? I can't find any details in the drawings. Reading your thread, you say that you use a PA-18 fitting. When looking at the parts catalogs, I see the PA-18 fitting for the front spar (#14192) has five through holes in the spar area and in your picture of building it appears to me that there are 4 through holes in the spar area. In the drawing there is also 4 through holes in the spar web.
Where did you locate the angle extrusion called out for that is 1"x3/8"x4'?

[Stephen]

SP march 010.jpgSP march 001.jpgSP march 009.jpg

Here are a few more pictures showing both forward and aft (middle picture) spar, all I could find on the brackets. I did use standard PA18 attachment fitting for the front spar and as I remember I had to cut them down because they were too long.. I spent a lot of time getting the attachment brackets located. But, there is some flexibility. The struts will be built to the actual distance.

SP march 002.jpg

Are you referring to the strengthing angle extrusion. The drawing called out the locations as I remember. I skipped the inboard pieces as I did not use the Bushmaster fuel tank set up. These reinforcing strips should be located so they don't interfere and allow the ribs to clear. I had to make my own strips, cutting down larger angle material on a table saw and cleaning it up on a belt sander.

I have lots more pictures that I may not have posted. Let me know if you want more detail on specific aspects of the project.

(QUOTE=Just Call Me Al;113979]What part number fitting did you use for the strut attach fitting to the front spar? I can't find any details in the drawings. Reading your thread, you say that you use a PA-18 fitting. When looking at the parts catalogs, I see the PA-18 fitting for the front spar (#14192) has five through holes in the spar area and in your picture of building it appears to me that there are 4 through holes in the spar area. In the drawing there is also 4 through holes in the spar web.
Where did you locate the angle extrusion called out for that is 1"x3/8"x4'?[/QUOTE]

[Stephen]

All,

I checked your profile. I over flew your area a couple of summers ago flying from Fairbanks to Chicken. Great country.

[Just Call Me Al]

Here are a few more pictures showing both forward and aft (middle picture) spar, all I could find on the brackets. I did use standard PA18 attachment fitting for the front spar and as I remember I had to cut them down because they were too long.. I spent a lot of time getting the attachment brackets located. But, there is some flexibility. The struts will be built to the actual distance.



Are you referring to the strengthing angle extrusion. The drawing called out the locations as I remember. I skipped the inboard pieces as I did not use the Bushmaster fuel tank set up. These reinforcing strips should be located so they don't interfere and allow the ribs to clear. I had to make my own strips, cutting down larger angle material on a table saw and cleaning it up on a belt sander.

I have lots more pictures that I may not have posted. Let me know if you want more detail on specific aspects of the project.

The pictures are excellent information in addition to your reply, thank you so much. The drawings are difficult at times to interpret. The more I study them, the more I glean from them.
On the angle extrusions, I came to the same conclusion and ripped down 1"x1" angle to the necessary dimensions.

What did you do to fill in where the spar strut attach fittings were on the original PA-22 location at roughly Station 79 11/16"?

[Stephen]

The pictures are excellent information in addition to your reply, thank you so much. The drawings are difficult at times to interpret. The more I study them, the more I glean from them.
On the angle extrusions, I came to the same conclusion and ripped down 1"x1" angle to the necessary dimensions.

What did you do to fill in where the spar strut attach fittings were on the original PA-22 location at roughly Station 79 11/16"?

Are you referring to the 1/2" bolt holes? Those holes in the spar web are too small to have any load bearing issues. Make sure the holes are smooth and have no cracks.

I know what you mean about studying the plans. It sure would have helped if there were a set of written instructions. Although, it does leave a certain amount of flexibility.

[Just Call Me Al]

Are you referring to the 1/2" bolt holes? Those holes in the spar web are too small to have any load bearing issues. Make sure the holes are smooth and have no cracks.

I know what you mean about studying the plans. It sure would have helped if there were a set of written instructions. Although, it does leave a certain amount of flexibility.

There are four AN5 through bolts sandwiching the two spar strut attach fittings #11755 that will be left empty when the fitting is removed and the new ones shifted outboard.