SUMMER 2009 UPDATE
Sorry for the delay in the Summer 2009 Update but I have been very, very busy at work this spring/summer and it has been interfering with my building. I hope to get some major work done over the July 4th weekend.
My current project status is trying to get the layups done for the fuselage sides. If I get this done this weekend I'll post some pictures and get a full summer update!
WINTER 2009 UPDATE
Welcome to the Winter 2009 Update!
Viggen Builder News
I recently sent out a mass email inviting news from the builders/flyers I have on my list.
I heard back from a few folks. Steve Dorsey said he might have an update this spring.
Newest Member
I also heard from a builder in Austrailia, Mal Booth. He had this to say:
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I 'loved' the Viggen since first reading of it in a 1973 magazine which I still have. I bought "my" project about 14 years ago in Adelaide to save it from destruction!. It consists of an unskinned fuselage, inner wing & canard, part of one vertical fin, controls, seats (WAY too heavy!), main retracts (legs only, no hubs, etc), nose gear scissors, Fibreglass nosecone, foredeck, turtledeck & engine cowls. The original builder did all the work on it until forced to sell after which it went through several hands who apparently stripped it of engine, instruments & ????. I have done no work on it yet but my dream was always (since the '70s), to, against Burt's advice, hang a Mazda rotary on the back. To this end I recently bought an RX8 Renesis motor but have not yet started developing it, would love to swap ideas with Oly on that!. I have a copy of a magazine article on the all metal "Viggenite" built by an ex RAF Meteor pilot. I also remember seeing photos of a Viggen with a high aspect ratio swept canard, anyone know anything about it? I also had a reference to a Viggen with a glass skin somewhere in the US but can't lay my hands on it, any clues. I am toying with the idea of laying up flat sheets of glass (kevlar?), to skin what I have & building composite outer wings, vertical fins & rudders, not Eze style solid foam but Glassair/Lancair style spar, ribs & skins hollow wings, - room for fuel if CG permits?. I know of only two Viggens which came close to completion in Australia, "mine", & one started by the late Clive Canning (first to fly a homebuilt from Oz to England, a Thorp T-18), which I last saw complete less engine in Sydney about 10 years ago. It was subsequently advertised for sale for A$70,000 but I don't know the outcome, as far as I know it has still not flown. It is GREAT to know there are still believers out there, Best wishes to All, Mal Booth |
VariViggen Group Patches / Nametags
Oly Olson is working on creating a "patch" and name tag that would be representitive of our unique airplane. Details are in the forum!
VariViggen Patch
FOR SALE
Mike Hopkins in Arizona has some parts for sale which would be an excellent labor and $$ savings for builders at the right stage of construction. Just click on the link below to view his parts! It looks like some great deals are available!
Mike Hopkins VariViggen PartsGlassViggen Forum News
I have updated the forum to allow members to subscribe to a forum that interests them. Just open a forum and at the bottom of the page there will be a checkbox to subscribe or unsubscribe. IF you need additional help refer to the FAQ link at the upper right side of the page.
There are two new forums, FOR SALE and BUILDER PROGRESS. Please feel free to list aviation related items in the FOR SALE section and please write a little bit about what you are doing with your airplanes in the BUILDERS PROGRESS section. Pictures are welcome. I know some of our VariViggen enthusiasts are up to some very interesting things! Please share your progress!
Website Update
I have added a section named, "Technical Library". I have started with a copy of the Rutan Aircraft Factory original Owners Manual. In addition I have posted a copy of the VariViggen Technical Report. These may be downloaded for your reading pleasure.
The GlassViggen Project Status
The Glass Viggen
I have moved most of my project into a shared hanger at the Hendricks County Airport just west of Indianapolis. I am sharing space with an F1 Rocket builder.
It is time to start working on the fuselage sides which require more space than I have at home.
Later this summer I hope to have a fuselage which will begin to look more like an airplane!
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