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Temporary strut fairing
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dave

Joined: 22 Sep 2006
Posts: 1382

Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 2:41 am Post subject: Re: Temporary strut fairing

Very nice gain on that simple mod there Tom. 

Hard numbers just go to show it is there for the giving.



Anyone got any other mods that have proven speed gains? 

ie gas cap fairings

-wing strut attach point fairings? 

-covers under the flapperon where it enters the turtle deck at bottom? 

filling the space between the horiz stab and vert . stab? 

-rad scoop?



Tell us what you gained if anything...



I still think that the cowl is lacking air exits and there might be a gain to be had there. I changed mine a few years ago and got lower coolant temps by not dumping hot cowl air directly into  the rad.

http://www.cfisher.com/cowl.html

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Tom Jones

Joined: 12 Mar 2006
Posts: 752
Location: Ellensburg, WA

Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2008 6:33 am Post subject: Re: Temporary strut fairing

 	  Quote: 	
		  Anyone got any other mods that have proven speed gains? 

ie gas cap fairings 

-wing strut attach point fairings? 

-covers under the flapperon where it enters the turtle deck at bottom? 

filling the space between the horiz stab and vert . stab? 

-rad scoop? 	




On the Kolb list there is a recent thread that lists some horse power numbers for various shapes and items. http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?t=46954



Even at the slow speed of my Kitfox I calculated that 32 feet of one inch wing strut tubing hanging out in the breeze requires a total 3.8 HP at climb speed of 52 kts and jumps to 9 hp at a 70 kts.



Some surprises to me on the drag of some small items like rivets and bolts too.



I didn't build my kitfox so I could go fast but I do like the looks of the wing strut fairing and I'll take all the free hp I can get.

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Tom Jones
Classic IV
503 Rotax, 72 inch Two blade Warp
Ellensburg, WA

lcfitt(at)sbcglobal.net
Guest

Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2008 7:14 am Post subject: Temporary strut fairing

Tom,



Thanks for the link.  I am currently rebuilding and hope to make some fairly 

easy - as I build - drag reduction efforts.  The only disappointment, though 

is that I will not have before and after data that would be helpful to 

others in the planning process.



Lowell



---

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dave

Joined: 22 Sep 2006
Posts: 1382

Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2008 11:42 am Post subject: Re: Temporary strut fairing

Good post on drag.........  just goes to show how the Kitfox is such a draggy beast. When you go from aa 582 to a 912 S you gain about 30% or less more cruise with more than 50% more HP .  



For comparison on drag look at my amphib floats -- I only lose about 5mph cruise with them over  21" tires.

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