Bill Freeman wrote:

Paul,

I actually TRIED to light a case half one time, no luck with
a propane torch, too thick and all the heat was dumped to the
air and could'nt reach ignition temp.   By the time I had access
to an acetylene torch, I was smarter than to try it again.  Might
have succeeded! YIKES!    I would imagine that
the bell housing would be a bit hard to light, too.  OTOH,
if you DO, YEEE - HAAA ! Ride the Roman Candle to earth.

I think the real fire dangers are unprotected fuel and oil lines
and aluminum primary structure or control systems made of
"Oh-too-thin" aluminum.  We converted several control system
brackets and pushrods in the LE for steel for this reason.
Thin aluminum melts really fast in even a modest fuel fire.
OTOH, one of these caused a different vibration mode and
fatigued a control system belcrank.  I helped define this one,
and worked with Burt on the redesign, altho I did mine a different
way than he decided to do for everyone else.  Be careful
whenever you change anything, even for a really good reason.
Fortunately, the pilot who discovered the fatigue problem got
it back on the ground OK, but it was a bit exciting.

The prop blade pic looks good, would like to see some more
pix, esp line dwg with surface definition lines on it.  Very busy with
some consulting work and haven't had time to check the
hub stress calcs.  Very ordinary work, but it pays for some
of my toys; rebuilding large sculpture for art museum, custom semi-
trailer frame and solar power system. Weird combination!

Bill
Long EZ builder & pilot
BSME, MSME

Butch did an FEA on the hub and 5/16 balls look best.

Paul Lamar
 
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