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The STOL King was based on the 3/4 Storch kit being offered by a fellow
in Australia which I believe had its origins in Europe somewhere (aside
from the original Fi 156 Storch). Essentially, I think it is the same
aircraft but streamlined quite a bit. I had heard (web searches) that
he had partnered with them but for some reason they went their own ways
and thus this aircraft came out of it. I had thought the gear he used
was to cut down on drag because the 'original' Storch gear is very
draggy. My assumption from reading about wings with slats is that a
high angle is desired to maximize short take offs, being that the tail
cannot go down any further like a Zenith Air CH 701 tricycle gear STOL,
if you want a high angle of attack for maximum climb right away the
wing needs to have that high of an angle, and thus the long gear? That
might not come off as making a lot of sense since the tail comes up
right away anyhow, but there would sure be alot of room under the tail
for it to dip down into for an immediate high angle of attack as soon
as you wanted to yank it off the ground. Does that sound reasonable?
The statement that a "VW engine can produce 100 HP" is misleading
because this engine is different yet it is still being referred to as a
VW engine. Here is a link to their web page http://tinyurl.com/pbwb7-
They manufacture new jugs with more coolant flow and use a special high
volume pump to keep them cool.
If this aircraft can get close to its claimed performance, even if not
right on it, I'd be happy and wouldn't have too much heartburn over
the specs being fluffed a bit to keep up with all of the other fluffers
but if they are far from unrealistic I'd sure like to know before I
invest more time and money into this. The lack of performance details
does have me wondering why. Maybe he won't publish hard specs because
he doesn't want someone to sue him if they crash the airplane and say
the specs didn't make it? Or maybe because he is giving the best
possible specs with the lightest built airframe and highest HP engine
possible with a skinny pilot and little fuel but won't publish it
because he can sell more plans if people think they can get that
performance with a 100 HP engine? Maybe it really can?
If I could just find one person who is flying one who would be willing
to share their experiences and opinions about its performance (and there
are completed STOL Kings out there) I could clear this up in a hurry. I
have a couple of leads through web seaches but not easy to find contact
information.
Here is another kit version of the 3/4 scale Storch called the Criquet
with performance figures similar to the STOL King but much heavier
(Modified, modified 'Storch'): http://tinyurl.com/qupra
Chris in Palmer, Alaska
Morgans Wrote:
>
>
> There are BS flags all over the place, when looking at that web site.
> Turn
> around, and walk, no, turn and run away!
>
> Why does it have such long landing gear? To look like a storch. The
> difference is, the storch has it to get prop clearance, for greaat big
> props. BS alert!
>
> Now for what told me to tell you to run away.
>
> Did you see the HP rating for the VW engine they will sell you? THAT
> is a
> good one! (joke, that is) A VW engine that is rated for 103
> HP????????
> Give me a break!! If you somehow were able to get that much power out
> of a
> VW, the valves and head would be a big melted pile of aluminum and
> steel,
> within 2 minutes, or less. Also you would have to run it at super high
> RPM's, and that means you would need a small prop. Small props are
> only
> good for poor take-off performance, and high cruise speed. Sound like
> a
> STOL??? Nope. Run away!
> --
> Jim in NC
--
Christopher
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Re: STOL Plans
