I'm uncomfortable with the technique of swinging from behind the prop, standing in front of the wing. The leading edge is between the mid back and shoulder height and I believe that, if the aircraft were to lurch forward on starting, then you could be toppled forward into the prop. Having a hand on ...

Hi Kate, I changed from magneto to electronic ignition because the original Lucas tractor mags (SR4?) didn't have an impulse coupling so firing at a fixed advanced ~ 20 before TDC which I wasn't prepared to swing. I understand that it is not advised to add an impulse to this mag as the front bearing...

Second Photo; chocks are too small. I wrote a short article in the LAA mag a while ago on a simple 'hold back' device which I've made for my Nipper specifically to make solo hand swinging safer and easier. 1834 VW: prime the fuel pump and carb bowl using the pump hand lever Operate the throttle from...

My Nipper documents have a list of LAA requirements; wing bolt inspection and a couple of others spring to mind.

http://www.lightaircraftassociation.co. ... NIPPER.pdf

should give you a good start.

Jim

All parts present and correct - first preliminary weighing to determine the best location for the batteries.



Jim

Once I managed to recondition my old pump I've just pushed on with the thousand 5 minute jobs getting the aircraft ready for it's preflight inspection. I'll revisit fuel pumps when the aircraft has it's permit. I need one anyway for a second engine which is destined to go on my Taylor Monoplane.

Jim

Hi again,

Posted spring is correct and is fitted.
Thanks to anyone who scrabbled through their bits box to check.

Jim

Hi Neil, I can give you a firm perhaps on that. I have one on its way in the post but I won't know if it's correct until it turns up. A comment from a friend who had a friend who thought he had one made me unsure - a touch of Chinese whispers in the conversation. I shall find out at the speed of pos...

Thank you, that's very kind. You've started me on what will almost certainly be a wild goose chase. When I was a student I used to visit my parents in Kent and, on returning to Southampton at the beginning of term, I would stop off at Biggin Hill for tea and cake and to spend a while watching the ai...

That's great to get such an early shot of your aircraft, how did you find it? I'll try and search for one of mine GAVTC.

Jim

During all the kerfuffle of getting my Nipper back into the air I've misplaced the trim spring that lives at the base of the stick. Has anybody got a spare they would be willing to part with. I didn't get a reply from Airweld, I'll try again, otherwise I'll have to make one.

Jim

Is there a reason for the exhaust extended below and behind the leading edge? Perhaps to avoid any chance of fumes in the cockpit?

Jim

Although my engine is running quite happily I shall remake the ignition leads as the terminations and boots I've used occupy space a little inconveniently. In particular the leads from the coils to the lower plugs cross over beneath the engine just where I need access to the Curtis Valve I've instal...

Hi Ross, There is an LAA mandatory to replace or crack test the wing bolts. Bolts of that length are like rocking horse ordure (they are imperial 5/16 if I remember correctly - which is very close to 8mm, hence any metric confusion). Because of the difficulty of getting this length Nipper aircraft h...

Any sailing supply shop should be able to sell bungee by the metre, choose the diameter you want, cut to length and make up your own ends.

Jim