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Originally Posted by Malcolm Fisher It would appear that I have been misled or misinterpreted something along the way.
I know of the variety of differences in incidences between the main planes of bipes (and tripes for that matter), but don't recall ever hearing of it termed "decalage".
I bow to your greater experience - as an airframe rigger you must have far more knowledge than I.
As for the Tiger Moth, as previously mentioned, I have one under construction from Phil Smith's plan.
This came about following a "trial flight" in a Tiger Moth courtesy of Classic Wings based at Duxford. This was arranged as a surprise birthday present by my spouse, an experience which I treasure and think over many times.
It was a surprise to me that the plane was flown almost exactly as I would fly a model - turns were accomplished on aileron and elevator and the rudder was only used during taxiing and on the final landing approach.
For much of the flight I was in control and, once airborne and at altitude had hands and feet on the controls umtil touch down.
I recommend this to anyone who has any interest in flying for a totally unforgettable experience.
It beats flying in a Jumbo any day.
It re-awakened my desire to build a "Tiggie" and I want to finish my model in the colour scheme and using the markings of the one in which I flew.
Malcolm |
*** The problem with biplanes Malcolm is a lot of these riggers tricks of the trade are now a thing of the past,would you believe that we were using tips gleaned from World war 1 mechanics who knew just how to tweak a few wires,I recently had the opportunity to renew my aquitance with the good old Tiger Moth when a friend who owns one of the two last flying Thruxton Jackaroo aircraft ( Tiger with a new enclosed cabin and three seats) said that his aircraft was flying left wing low ( you can see how I derived my handle now everyone !) when I looked at the pushrod exit to the aileron which is a unique blend of cam via sprocket it was offset,this led me to check the starboard wing which as suspected had a few degrees of warp from someone over doping the fabric,the old riggers trick here was to apply a bias by doping on a strip of conduit onto the trailing edge of the offending wing,although crude the low speed of these aircraft lend themselves to tricks like this and above all it works !
Here is another interesting story relating to early aeroplanes,Old Warden have the replica Bristol Boxkite in the collection which was built by Miles Marine down at Shoreham,if you look at the machine you will see that the entire aircraft is held together with piano wire rigging which is twisted around metal fittings,when they built her a member of the Miles family ( Jeremy Miles) whom I had the pleasure of meeting last year told me that they were struggling to accomplish the twists in the wire satisfactorily,one day an ex WW.1 rigger rolled up on his bicycle with a beautifully polished wooden box strapped to the crossbar ! here is what you want he said a war department 112/2 Mk.4 wire twister,he had kept it under his bed all of these years as a souvenir ! needless to say it was quickly pressed into action and the end result can be seen on the airframe,what a lovely story,next ime you see the triplane take a look,it is a work of art.
Unfortunately the word decalage has long since disappeared from the aviation bible 'British civil airworthiness requirements',the few skilled engineeres left will take their knowledge to the grave with them,such a pity.
You are quite right,you have not lived until you have been in a Tiger and experienced real flight,something that you never forget,it is real seat of the pants flying ! thanks for giving me the chance to discuss the rigging bits,Barry.
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