Tipsy Nipper

Hi, I'm looking for some parts to help get my Nipper back in the air, looking for,

1, the three lead weights that go in the rear fuselage, or if anyone has a mould I could borrow or even the dimensions to make a mould.

2, harness if anyone has one or what is the best replacement.

3, rudder bungees, or where can I get a alternate.

4, the fuel tank filler unit with sight wire.

Any information would be very much appreciated.

Peter

Peter, I can let you have a weight. Regarding harnesses you may like to try info@gadringer-gurte.de
R.
G-ARBG

Hi Peter,
You may know this already but make sure you do a weight and balance prior to adding weight. I removed the lead from my MK3 as it was tail heavy. A previous owner had a Jabiru 85 hp engine fitted but didn't check the W&B. Also the pilot sits a little aft of the CofG So your weight also has an effect.
Cheers Ross

Hi Ross,

You are absolutely correct in the requirement to check the empty weight and balance after any significant change in equipment added or removed to or from the aircraft. Rather surprised a change of engine type got past an inspector.

As to your point, ‘Also the pilot sits a little aft of the CoG’; that is not terminologically correct. In the case of the Nipper, adding a pilot’s weight will cause a clockwise (positive [+]) moment rotation about the reference point. The reference point of the Nipper being the leading edge of the wing, the empty position of the CoG may, possibly, be forward of the reference point and thus some distance from the pilot seat.

Please forgive my pedantry, too many years writing Ops manuals, and doing the weighing of gliders and light aircraft. Anyhow, happy aviating you lucky so and so, I’m off to check a Twitter report of a grocer's apostrophe error that has just been reported in the village High Street.

P.